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Human Services News

10 May 2023

US Forms Council to Advise on USMMA Improvements

(File photo: USMMA)

The U.S. Department of Transportation has formed a new advisory council to help drive improvements at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), a service academy in Kings Point, N.Y.According to the DOT, establishment of the USMMA Advisory Council fulfills a key recommendation from the National Academy of Public Administration’s (NAPA) November 2021 report entitled “Organizational Assessment of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: A Path Forward.” Specifically, NAPA’s report recommended…

07 Sep 2021

New Deputy Port Directors at Port of Brownsville

(Photo: Port of Brownsville)

In August, the Port of Brownsville announced the appointment of two new deputy port directors effective August 9, 2021.Melinda Rodriguez is the deputy port director of administration and will oversee the port’s Human Resources, Real Estate Services, Finance, Communications and Administrative Services departments.Rodriguez has worked in a variety of leadership positions with organizations such as NextDecade, Texas Southmost College, Catholic Charities of Central Texas, United Way of Hidalgo County, March of Dimes, Cystic Fibrosis-Central Texas, and United Blood Services.

18 Feb 2021

Inside Cruise Shipping's Fight for Survival

Photo Source: Port Everglades

In early 2021, the somber news from the cruise sector continued. For some cruise brands, their own version of “lockdowns” will have spanned an entire year. By late January, 2021, Carnival and others were hesitantly pegging their restarts for April/May 2021, and for some markets, late summer, under a Conditional Sail Order promulgated late last year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).What else to do but look ahead?In preliminary earnings guidance, Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL)…

12 Feb 2021

Port of Los Angeles Starts Giving COVID-19 Vaccinations

(Photo: Port of Los Angeles)

About 800 workers from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on Friday will be in the first wave of COVID-19 vaccinations for employees at the United States' busiest seaport complex, which has been hard hit by pandemic-related workforce disruptions and surging imports.Congress members last month joined state and local leaders in urging California officials to hasten COVID-19 vaccinations for employees at the ports amid high-stakes battles over which workers should be prioritized as essential.Such decisions at times are made at the local level…

07 Aug 2020

Pentagon Chief Concerned About Beijing's Activity in South China Sea

Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper (DoD photo by Marvin Lynchard)

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper expressed concerns about Beijing’s “destabilizing” activity near Taiwan and the South China Sea in a call with Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe, the Pentagon said on Thursday, the first time the two are believed to have spoken since March.The call came as U.S.-China ties have rapidly deteriorated this year over a range of issues, including Beijing’s handling of the coronavirus, telecommunications equipment maker Huawei, China’s territorial…

16 Jul 2020

US Extends Cruise No Sail Order Through September

© Tamme / Adobe Stock

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday extended its no sail order for all cruise ships through the end of September, as the U.S. continues to battle rising numbers of coronavirus cases.The CDC issued its initial no sail order on March 14, which it subsequently extended to July 24.Thursday's order bans operations on commercial passenger vessels with capacity to carry at least 250 passengers in waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction until September 30…

13 Apr 2020

US CDC Extends 'No Sail Order' for All Cruise Ships

© jovannig / Adobe Stock

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended its “no sail order” for all cruise ships, as it looks to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic.The new CDC order says that cruise ships have to cease operations for up to 100 days, or the expiration of the Secretary of Health and Human Services' declaration that COVID-19 constitutes a public health emergency, or if the CDC Director rescinds or modifies the order.The order, dated April 9, comes as the cruise industry takes a hit from the novel coronavirus outbreak…

19 Mar 2020

US to Deploy Hospital Ships for Coronavirus Response

The USNS Mercy (Photo: Zach Kreitzer, U.S. Navy)

Two U.S. Navy hospital ships are being prepared to aid shoreside medical facilities that could become overrun by the coronavirus pandemic, the Pentagon's chief spokesman said.The USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy will be deployed "as needed to assist potentially overwhelmed counties with acute patient care" as part of the Defense Department's response to the pandemic, Jonathan Rath Hoffman, assistant to the defense secretary for public affairs, said during a news conference at the Pentagon on Wednesday.The Comfort is now in Norfolk…

17 Mar 2020

Long Beach Terminals Remain Open

COSCO America leaving Pier J at the Port of Long Beach in February 2020. (Photo: Port of Long Beach)

Marine terminals at at the United States’ second-busiest seaport have remained open and operating amid the unfolding coronavirus crisis, with regular vessel calls and scheduled work shifts continuing, the Port of Long Beach said.The port said its marine terminals are receiving vessel calls and workers are transferring cargo off and on ships under the health-protective directives established by the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection, with guidance from the U.S.

23 Jun 2016

Donors Give $2.9 Mln to Train BC’s Future Shipbuilders

MP Randeep Sarai, Jonathan Whitworth - Seaspan CEO, and Brian Carter – President, Seaspan Shipyards with the recipients of today’s multi-year, multimillion dollar investment in the training of BC’s future shipbuilders (Photo: Seaspan)

The Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation, in conjunction with Seaspan, announced today a multi-year, multimillion dollar investment in the future of British Columbia’s marine industrial sector. The commitment totals $2.9 million and includes a three-year, $900,000 donation by the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation to three institutional trades training programs in Canada. This donation has been given in support of the Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy program under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).

31 May 2016

Petrobras Announces new President, Management Changes

Petrobras reports that it has received the letter of resignation of Mr. Aldemir Bendine the functions of a member of the Board of Directors and President of the Company today. In addition, Mr. Bendine also resigned today, the office of member of the Board of Directors of Petrobras Distribuidora - BR. In view of the resignation, the Board held a special meeting that has elected Pedro Pullen Parente engineer as a member of the Board of Petrobras today. The Council at the same meeting also elected Mr. Pedro Parente for the office of President of the Company since 05.31.2016 and has appointed the Director of Human Resources, Safety, Environment and Health and Human Services, Hugo Repsold Junior, for the interim exercise of the functions of the President of the Company.

12 Apr 2015

Caterpillar Forms New Analytics & Innovation Division

To better capitalize on the growing importance and excitement of data analytics and to drive innovation to support customers, Caterpillar Inc. today announced the formation of a new division, Analytics & Innovation (AI), which will be led by Caterpillar Vice President Greg Folley. The division will bring together the people and resources that will foster a culture with innovation at the core, form a broad and connected analytics ecosystem and manage strategic third party relationships with providers like Chicago, Illinois-based Uptake, a start-up with which the company recently announced a technology and predictive analytics agreement.

06 Nov 2014

General Dynamics' Support to Arkansas Healthcare

General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics, announced today that it will continue to support and expand the analytic engine and reporting system for the Arkansas Health Care Payment Improvement Initiative (AHCPII). Arkansas was the first state to implement this type of statewide payment reform initiative that rewards service providers for providing high-quality, cost-effective care under the Medicaid program. Since its inception in 2012, the AHCPII has resulted in healthcare costs being reduced or stabilized in certain cases, along with improvements in appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing and perinatal screenings.

11 Oct 2014

ExxonMobil Employees Donate $2.4 mi

ExxonMobil and its employees and retirees in Northern Virginia raised more than $2.4 million for charitable organizations and local charities in the Northern Virginia area during the 2014 Employees’ Favorite Charities campaign. Employees and retirees contributed to nearly 600 charities that provide a wide range of local health and human services to residents in Fairfax, Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. capital region. “ExxonMobil has a long history of supporting community groups and educational organizations in Northern Virginia through financial contributions and thousands of hours volunteered by employees and retirees,” said Alan Kelly, president, ExxonMobil Fuels, Lubricants & Specialties Marketing Company.

03 Oct 2014

ExxonMobil Donates $18 mi to Houston Health Institutions

ExxonMobil today announced $18 million in grants to Houston health care facilities to support cancer prevention and cardiovascular research, expand pediatric care for children with autism and enhance pediatric liver disease research and clinical services. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will receive $10 million; $5 million will go to the Texas Heart Institute and $3 million to Texas Children’s Hospital. “ExxonMobil has had a long and deep involvement with Houston and Texas,” said Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation. ExxonMobil’s $10 million grant to MD Anderson will support the Healthy Community Initiative…

28 Sep 2014

Great Lakes Restoration Plan Announced

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) informs that Administrator Gina McCarthy has released a new Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Action Plan that lays out steps that federal agencies will take during the next five years to protect water quality, control invasive species and restore habitat in the largest surface fresh water system in the world. McCarthy, who chairs the federal Great Lakes Interagency Task Force, released the plan at a meeting of Great Lakes Mayors in Chicago. “The new Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan lays out the steps we need to take to get us closer to the day when all Great Lakes fish will be safe to eat, all beaches will be safe for swimmers and harmful algal blooms will not threaten our drinking water supplies,” said McCarthy.

05 Apr 2012

Engineering Services Network Appoints Director

Engineering Services Network Inc., (ESN) appoints retired Navy Cmdr. Albert J. ESN, an engineering and technology solutions company that provides services to the Department of Defense and other federal agencies, has named retired Navy Cmdr. Albert J. Desmarais as director of business development for its Navy operations, and will provide additional marketing support for its Veterans Affairs and Maritime operations. Engineering Services Network provides engineering and technology solutions. For more than a decade, they have delivered critical services to various military and federal agencies in the fields of: information technology and health IT, engineering and technical support, strategic and program management, testing and evaluation and operations support.

02 Jul 2010

IEEE Touts Navy Scientists

Navy scientists rank No. 1 when it comes to newly patented discoveries and inventions, according to a June report published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The IEEE's annual Patent Power Scorecard, that ranks the relative significance of various organizations' patent portfolios, said the Navy surpassed all international government agencies. IEEE is the world's largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. "This recognition reflects the national importance of the Navy's scientists and engineers and our commitment to protecting the government's intellectual property," said Naval Surface Warfare Center Commander Rear Adm. Jim Shannon.

27 May 2004

Text Bills posted on Internet

The text of various bills recently introduced in the House of Representatives has now been posted on the Internet. H.R. 4397 would temporarily exempt scrapping of obsolete naval and Maritime Administration (MARAD) vessels from certain environmental laws. H.R. 4416 would establish the Great Lakes Protection and Restoration Committee. H.R. 4418 would authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2005 and 2006 for the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security, for the Office of the United States Trade Representative, for the United States International Trade Commission, and for other purposes. H.R.

24 May 2004

Maritime Bills Introduced

Representative Ehlers (R-MI) introduced a bill (H.R. 4416) to establish the Great Lakes Protection and Restoration Committee. Representative Crane (R-IL) introduced a bill (H.R. 4418) to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2005 and 2006 for the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security, for the Office of the United States Trade Representative, for the United States International Trade Commission, and for other purposes. Representative Obey (D-WI) introduced a bill (H.R. 4422) making appropriations for the Departments of Agriculture, Education, Health and Human Services, and Transportation for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, and for other purposes.

29 Sep 2003

A&B and Matson Chairman Passes Away at Age 83

“Old sailors never die, they just drop the anchor,” Robert J. “Bobby” Pfeiffer said over a decade ago as he was contemplating retirement. Pfeiffer, one of Hawaii’s most renowned sailors and captains of industry, dropped the anchor on Friday, September 26, 2003, at age 83, at his home in Orinda, Calif., after a lengthy illness. During his 12 1/2 years at the helm of Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., Pfeiffer became practically synonymous with business leadership in Hawaii. He charted a course of modernization and diversification, and led A&B through one of its strongest periods of growth and prosperity. At the same time he earned a reputation for leadership –– personal as well as corporate –– in support of charitable and other community causes.

02 Oct 2001

SENESCO Signs Contract, Launches Barge for Cancer Awareness Program

Southeastern New England Shipbuilding Corporation (SENESCO) of North Kingstown, R.I., signed a major contract with Barges Unlimited, a subsidiary of Seaboats, Inc., of Fall River, Mass., to build an 80,000-bbl, 320-ft. double hull barge. The contract value is in excess of $6.5 million. With this contract signing, SENESCO will manufacture the largest double-hull barge ever constructed in the northeastern U.S. Work on the project is expected to take up to one year to complete. When finished, the barge will be used by Seaboats for the transportation and delivery of light oil products. SENESCO currently employs 110 people. However, with the addition of this contract and other business, the shipyard expects to add 40 to 50 new skilled workers to the staff.

08 Aug 2007

Coast Guard to Conduct Rescue Exercise

The U.S. Coast Guard, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and the U.S. Virgin Islands Government are working together to coordinate a one-day full-scale Caribbean Mass Rescue Operation Exercise in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands on Aug. Since 2002, Coast Guard passenger vessel safety specialists from around the United States have been working together with the passenger vessel operators to develop standardized procedures for managing a mass rescue operation. Through meetings and a series of exercises, the participants learn about each others' capabilities, identify best response practices and are establishing standardized procedures to help ensure maximum effectiveness. NCL volunteered to be the lead cruise line in this exercise to assist the Coast Guard in their emergency preparedness efforts.