Los Angeles City News

The captain of a dive boat that caught fire and sank off the California coast in 2019, killing 34 people in one of the state's deadliest maritime disasters, was sentenced on Thursday to four years in prison for his conviction on a federal charge of seaman's manslaughter.Jerry Boylan, 70, was found guilty by a U.S. District Court jury in November on a single felony count of "misconduct or neglect of a ship officer" under a federal homicide statute dating from steamboat accidents of the early 1800s.Federal prosecutors had sought the maximum penalty of 10 years in prison…

The captain of a dive boat that caught fire and sank off the California coast in 2019, killing 34 people on board in one of the state's deadliest maritime disasters, was found guilty on Monday of a federal charge of seaman's manslaughter.Jerry Boylan, 70, was convicted by a U.S. District Court jury in Los Angeles on a single charged count of "misconduct or neglect of a ship officer" under a federal homicide statute dating from steamboat accidents in the early 1800s.The felony conviction…

The Port of Los Angeles has entered a long-term agreement with Hecate Energy Harborside LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hecate Energy LLC (HECATE), to build, operate, and maintain photovoltaic (PV) solar power systems (PV Systems) that will generate electricity at multiple site locations within the Port. The PV Systems will feed clean energy to the utility grid operated by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). "This solar project is a perfect example of our city departments doing their part to adopt my Sustainable City plan," said Mayor Eric Garcetti. The agreement supports the Port’s larger goals under the San Pedro…

The Port of Los Angeles and the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MDBA) Center at the University of Southern California will be holding a FREE “Trade Connect” export workshop August 26, 2014 at USC’s Galen Center. The event will focus on providing information, tools and tips for fashion, garment, health and beauty product companies interested in promoting and exporting their products overseas. “Los Angeles is home to thousands of small- and medium-sized fashion, garment, health and beauty businesses that make products with great potential for export markets,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price Jr.…

The Los Angeles City Council apprises that it has unanimously confirmed veteran shipping industry leader Gene Seroka as the new Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles. Earlier in June, the Harbor Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to approve Seroka for the executive director’s position. Mayor Garcetti’s May 27 announcement that he had chosen Seroka for the job concluded a global search to fill the Port’s top management post. As the Port’s Executive Director, Seroka will be responsible for managing a US$938.8-million budget, advancing major capital projects, growing trade volumes and promoting innovation and sustainable practices that strengthen the region’s economy.

Mayor Eric Garcetti has nominated Gene Seroka, an executive with APL shipping line, as the next Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles. The Board of Harbor Commissioners will consider Mayor Garcetti's nomination at its June 5th meeting. Seroka's nomination is subject to confirmation by the Los Angeles City Council. "I'm proud to nominate Gene Seroka to be the next Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, the nation's top container port," said Mayor Eric Garcetti. "Gene Seroka is uniquely qualified to lead the Port of Los Angeles," said Ambassador Vilma Martinez, President of the Board of Harbor Commissioners. Seroka is Head of Commercial in the Americas Region for American Presidents Line (APL)…

A proposal by the LA 2020 Commission to merge the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach – the two busiest container ports in the US – has been slated by Long Beach leaders for being “condescending and disrespectful”. The Commission made the recommendation in its A Time for Action report, along with 12 other recommendations on minimum wage and promoting regional tourism, and defended its proposal by saying it will “put the city on a path to fiscal stability and renew job creation”.

Interim Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gary Lee Moore announced today that he will not apply for the permanent position. After an executive director is selected and in place, Moore will return to his duties as Los Angeles City Engineer. “I’m grateful for Gary’s leadership, particularly for putting the TraPac container terminal expansion project back on track,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “It’s been a privilege to lead the Harbor Department since November,” Moore said.

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a 50-year lease to transform  a 100-year-old pier on the L.A. Waterfront in San Pedro into a world-class urban marine research and innovation center called AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles. The lease agreement – signed between the Port of Los Angeles and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, the latter who currently serves as the fiscal sponsor for the AltaSea project – involves approximately 35 acres of land and water at the Port’s City Dock No. 1 site, Berths 56-60 and Berths 70-71. “Public-private partnerships like AltaSea represent an innovative way to encourage investment and redevelopment in our communities,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

The newly assembled Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners held its first meeting, with four of the five-member panel newly appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. Three of the commissioners are Harbor Area residents. The Harbor Commission is expected to elect its president and vice-president at the next Board meeting on December 12 th. “Spurring investment and creating job opportunities at our nation’s No. 1 Port is critical to Los Angeles and the entire country,” said Mayor Garcetti.

Gary Lee Moore, who has served as Los Angeles City Engineer and General Manager of the city’s Bureau of Engineering for the past decade, has started his duties as interim executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. “Gary is a trusted public servant, with a 28-year track record with the City,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who appointed Moore to the position last month. “The port is a critical economic engine for the city and region,” said Moore. Moore replaces Geraldine Knatz…

The Port of Los Angeles Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program awarded $97.6 million in contracts to small businesses during the 2012/2013 fiscal year of the $405.9 million that was awarded in construction and professional service contracts by the Port during the period. “Small businesses represent an important and valuable resource in our community,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino, whose 15th District includes the Port. The Port's SBE Program was created in 2007…

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D., has been honored by the University of Southern California Alumni Association with the prestigious Alumni Merit Award. Knatz earned a Master of Science degree in environmental engineering and a doctorate in biological science from USC. “The Alumni Merit Awards are given to individuals whose remarkable accomplishments speak well for the range and quality of a USC education,” said Patrick E. Auerbach, the interim associate vice president for alumni relations. “Dr.

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners to support the city’s appeal against a proposed Port of Los Angeles rail yard project. The city’s appeal is of the Southern California International Gateway rail yard project approved recently by the Port of Los Angeles. The 153-acre facility proposed by BNSF Railway Co. sits just outside West Long Beach, alongside the Terminal Island Freeway on land owned by the Port of Los Angeles. Much of its impact would be felt by nearby Long Beach residents, businesses and schools.

The Los Angeles Harbor Commission certified the final Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) intermodal railyard and approved a landmark rail infrastructure project that would increase the efficiency and competitiveness of moving containerized cargo through the nation’s busiest harbor complex to U.S. and global markets. “Modernizing our transportation infrastructure is crucial to creating jobs, strengthening our economy and improving our quality of life in Los Angeles,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino.

She will supervise the City Attorney’s Port operations & serve as in-house counsel to Port management and the Los Angeles Harbor Commission. Janna Sidley replaces Tom Russell, who retired from the position last year. “Janna will lead a talented legal team already in place at the Port, providing strong leadership and experience in her new role,” said Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich. Sidley joined the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office in 2003 and has worked as a trial deputy specializing in workers' compensation fraud and unfair business practices.

Who: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino, Port of Los Angeles officials break ground on $137 million intermodal rail yard project in Wilmington. What: The Berth 200 Rail Yard and Roadway Project will improve a critical link in the nation’s freight network. The new storage and queuing yard will clear the way for greater on-dock rail capacity and operational efficiencies at nearby Port container terminal facilities. When: Wednesday, January 16, 9:30 a.m. Where: S.

Harbor Commission Approves Environmental Impact Report, Lease Agreement; Historic Battleship Plans to Open to Public July 7. The Los Angeles Harbor Commission today voted unanimously to create a new home for the historic battleship, the USS IOWA, in a prime location along the LA Waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles. In separate actions, The Harbor Commission approved the lease agreement and an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) necessary to bring the World War II icon to the LA Waterfront  where it will be converted to an interactive naval museum and living memorial.

Maersk Inc. has committed to the building of a new state-of-the-art container terminal in the Port Of Los Angeles' Pier 400 facility. The Port of Los Angeles and Maersk Inc. signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to negotiate to reach a final lease agreement. The lease agreement is subject to regulatory approval of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Line acquisition of Sea-Land International and must also be approved by the boards of A.P. Moller and Maersk Inc., the Los Angeles Harbor Commission and the Los Angeles City Council. In making the Port of Los Angeles its new West Coast hub, Maersk Sealand will bring the port about $2 billion over its 25-year lease.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff announced today the appointment of Elliott Broidy, Tom Foley and John Magaw to serve on his Homeland Security Advisory Council. The Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC), as established by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, is the Secretary’s primary council and is comprised of experts from state and local governments, first responder communities, academia and the private sector. Members of the Council provide advice and recommendations to Secretary Chertoff on homeland security issues. “Each of these individuals brings a vast amount of experience and expertise from public service and the private sector to the Homeland Security Advisory Council,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

The Public Relations & Legislative Affairs division at the Port of Los Angeles has hired three new team members to help extend Port-related community interaction and legislative activity in support of a roster of current and upcoming Port initiatives. Coming to the Port from the Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women, Veronica Hendrix has been hired as the Port’s new community-focused Public Information Director. Legislative Director for 15th District Councilwoman Janice Hahn, assumes the Port’s Los Angeles-focus Legislative Representative post. Wilmington resident and community representative Cecilia Moreno also has joined the Port in the newly created position of Community Affairs Advocate.

USS Los Angeles (SSN 688) will arrive at the Port of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 20, for a final visit that includes a decommissioning ceremony Jan. 23. USS Los Angeles departed Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Jan. 14, and is stopping in Los Angeles en route to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for inactivation. The visit will include participation by the crew in numerous public events ongoing throughout the weekend. The Jan. 23 decommissioning ceremony will feature many former Los Angeles crewmembers, former Los Angeles Commanding Officer Rear Adm. (ret) John Shipway, Commodore of Submarine Squadron One Capt. Stan Robertson, Representative for the U.S. 46th District Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, and Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn.

The chief engineer the M/V Katerina, which was equipped with pipes to bypass an important water pollution-control device, was sentenced today to eight months in federal jail for his conviction on obstruction of justice charges. Edgardo A. Guinto, 49, of the Philippines, was sentenced this afternoon in Los Angeles by United States District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper. Guinto pleaded guilty to the obstruction charge in January, admitting that he allowed the bypassing of the oil-water separator on the Katerina, that he instructed crew members to remove and conceal the bypass pipe when the ship came into Long Beach, and that he made fraudulent entries in the ship's pollution-prevention records known as the Oil Record Book.