Michael P Jackson News

U. S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Michael P. Jackson, joined by U. S. Coast Guard Commandant Thomas H. Collins, today announced the award of a landmark contract valued at $11.04 billion for a fleet of new ships and aircraft, plus improved command and control systems, to meet the service’s homeland security and other mission needs. In addition, the contract includes $5.91 billion for operating, maintenance, and sustainment costs for a value of $16.95 billion. The contract was awarded to Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS), a joint venture established by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. “The Deepwater Program will ensure that the Coast Guard continues to guarantee the nation’s maritime security,” said Deputy Secretary Jackson.

The marine industry, which traditionally hits a lull during the summer months, has been boiling over with new projects and business prospects, mainly centered on the business of keeping U.S. shores secure from further terrorist incursion. The Coast Guard Deepwater project, which was well in the works years before the date September 11 came to signify much of anything, after five years of planning has finally come to fruition in the form of a nearly 30-year, $17 billion plan to essentially re-shape the U.S. Coast Guard. Yet even upon the awarding of the historic contract, there were rumblings from inside Washington, D.C., from Congressional powers.

The marine industry, which traditionally hits a lull during the summer months, has been boiling over with new projects and business prospects, mainly centered on the business of keeping U.S. shores secure from further terrorist incursion. The Coast Guard Deepwater project, which was well in the works years before the date September 11 came to signify much of anything, after five years of planning has finally come to fruition in the form of a nearly 30-year, $17 billion plan to essentially re-shape the U.S. Coast Guard. Yet even upon the awarding of the historic contract, there were rumblings from inside Washington, D.C., from Congressional powers.

The Department of Homeland Security issued a Press Release stating that Michael P. Jackson was sworn in as Deputy Secretary. The press release fails to note that he replaced James Loy, who retired after almost 45 years of service to the nation in the U.S. Coast Guard (where he served as Commandant with the rank of Admiral), the Transportation Security Administration (where he served as Administrator), and the Department (where he served as Deputy Secretary). Source: HK Law

The Manitowoc Company, Inc. announced the launch of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Cypress, the tenth ship in a series of 14 seagoing buoy tenders being built at Manitowoc's Marinette Marine subsidiary. The 225-foot Juniper-class vessel is part of a series of contracts, which were awarded to Marinette in 1993 and 1998. The launch ceremony featured Deputy Secretary of Transportation Michael P. Jackson as the keynote speaker, with Caron Jackson, the Deputy Secretary's wife and sponsor of the ship, who performed the traditional christening ceremony. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Cypress will homeport in Mobile, Alabama, under the command of LCDR Samuel "Duke" Walker. It will have a complement of six officers and 34 enlisted personnel.

The head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) outlined today the young agency’s accomplishments and the projects it will carry Saturday from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Homeland Security. “We will always be grateful for the tremendous leadership and support shown by Secretary Norman Y. Mineta and many others at Transportation,” said Under Secretary of Transportation for Security Adm. James M. Loy. Loy said TSA’s success has helped rebuild air travelers’ confidence in aviation security. One million more travelers flew this January than in January of 2002, he noted. TSA, the brainchild of Secretary Mineta and Deputy Transportation Secretary Michael P. Jackson, was officially created Nov.

In recognition of their patriotic service during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, crewmembers of the SS Wright were honored today in Baltimore by presentation of the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal. The SS Wright and two other ships homeported in Baltimore--the Cape Washington and the Cape Wrath--provided sealift support for U.S. military operations in Iraq. All three ships belong to the Ready Reserve Force (RRF), a fleet of 68 ships owned by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Michael P. Jackson recognized the crew's achievements along with General John W. Handy, Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command. The U.S.