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National Press Club News

07 Dec 2018

Coast Guard Commandant Optimistic About Icebreaker Funding

A file image of the Coast Guard's lone heavy icebreaker, the Polar Star. Image CREDIT: USCG

The United States may soon get funding for a new heavy icebreaker ship, the head of the U.S. Coast Guard said on Thursday, as global warming spurs the race to stake out the Arctic, which is rich in oil, gas, and minerals.The United States has two operational icebreakers - a heavy one, the Polar Star, which is more than 42 years old and has outlived its life expectancy by a dozen years, and a medium one, the Healy cutter.By comparison, Russia has about 40 to 50 icebreakers, purpose-built vessels that can rescue other ships…

02 Mar 2018

Adm. Zukunft Highlights USCG’s Successes and Challenges

Adm. Paul Zukunft delivers his fourth and final State of the Coast Guard Address at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. (Image: USCG)

In his final State of the Coast Guard Address, Adm. Paul Zukunft outlined the diverse successes and ongoing challenges facing the smallest branch of America’s military. Zukunft, who has served as commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard since 2014, delivered his fourth State of the Coast Guard Address on Thursday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The outgoing commandant, set to retire June 1, highlighted Coast Guard’s evolving role in national security as its duties continue…

01 Jun 2017

WCI Meets the Press, Addresses FY 2018 Budget Request

Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017; FY 2017 Corps' Work Plan and Infrastructure Plan Addressed. Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) today held its annual briefing for the news media to address the President’s FY 2018 budget request, the FY 2017 Consolidated Omnibus Appropriations Act, the Corps of Engineers’ FY 2017 Work Plan, and the Administration’s infrastructure initiative. he event was held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The full FY 2018 budget request to Congress released by the Trump Administration proposes $5.02 billion for the Corps’ Civil Works program, representing a $382 million increase above President Obama’s FY17 request, but more than $1 billion below the $6.038 billion appropriated by Congress for FY 2017.

17 Mar 2017

USCG Commandant Delivers State of the Coast Guard Address

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft  (Photo: USCG)

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft delivered the 2017 State of the Coast Guard Address at the National Press Club Thursday. This was Adm. Zukunft's third State of the Coast Guard Address and he emphasized the service as a unique instrument of national security. First and foremost an armed service, the Coast Guard is the only branch of the U.S. armed forces that has broad law enforcement authorities and a portfolio of more than 60 bi-lateral agreements that extend around the globe, Zukunft said.

18 Mar 2016

Germany Hardsell Submarine Deal With Australia

The German company competing for Australia's $50 billion submarine contract is ramping up its pitches and lobbying became more intense. Germany is positioning itself as the "safe option" to build Australia's new submarine fleet, arguing it avoids upsetting China. The German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) linked its bid to strategic tensions in the South China Sea. It also said that awarding the contract to Japan could damage Australia's relationship with China. According to a report in ABC, TKMS positioned itself as a neutral alternative for Australia, caught between its security interests with Japan and the United States, and its trade interests with China. Germany says choosing their boats, unlike Japan's, would avoid inflaming tensions with Beijing.

07 May 2015

Jaenichen to Close Safety at Sea Seminar

Paul “Chip” Jaenichen (Photo: MARAD)

U.S. Maritime Administrator, Paul “Chip” Jaenichen will close the "Safety at Sea" National Maritime Day Seminar hosted by North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA). The seminar, to be held May 21 at the National Press Club from 2-5:30 p.m., will bring industry and government leaders together to discuss concerns about safety and strategies for meeting them. Immediately following the “Safety at Sea” seminar is the AMVER Awards Dinner where over 150 companies…

30 Apr 2015

US Navy Warns Congress that Piecemeal Cruiser Upgrades Costly

U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus on Thursday warned that congressional plans for a piecemeal modernization of 11 cruisers would cost billions of dollars more than the Navy's original plan and meant the warships would have to be retired earlier. "They will still be under the command of the CNO (Chief of Naval Operations). They will never go out of commission," he told reporters after a speech at the National Press Club. Mabus said the Navy remained in dialogue with Congress about the issue, and would gladly accept congressional language aimed at ensuring modernization was actually completed. For instance, he said Congress could impose financial penalties if the Navy reneged on the plan, or require it to sign contracts with U.S. shipyards for upgrade work.

02 Oct 2014

Carnival Plans to Save 1 Billion Gallons of Fuel

Photo: Carnival

Carnival Corporation & plc released the results of its multiyear Fleet Fuel Conservation Program that states by the end of 2014 the cruise company will have saved more than one billion gallons of fuel and reduced fleet carbon emissions by 12 billion kilograms over a seven year period. By the end of 2014, Carnival Corporation's Fleet Fuel Conservation Program will have improved the fleet's overall fuel efficiency by 24 percent compared to 2007, while saving approximately $2.5 billion in fuel costs, the company's single biggest expense.

21 May 2014

Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen to Close NMDay 2014

Acting Maritime Administrator, Paul “Chip” Jaenichen will close the “Safety at Sea” Seminar being hosted by North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) at the National Press Club from 2:30-6:00pm. NAMEPA’s seminar will join industry and governmental leaders as they discuss issues of the day surrounding Safety at Sea. The seminar is designed to highlight both best practices and opportunities for improvement. Immediately following the “Safety at Sea” seminar is the AMVER Awards Dinner where over 150 companies will be recognized for their participation in the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) system.

07 Oct 2013

Capt. Phillips to Speak at National Press Club

Capt. Phillips & Cmdr. Frank Castellano: Photo credit USN

Capt. Richard Phillips, who was taken hostage by Somali pirates in 2009 and whose story is the subject of a new film starring Tom Hanks, will be joined at the National Press Club 10, October 2013, by Capt. Steven Werse, Secretary-Treasurer of the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots. Captain Richard Phillips, who survived a harrowing ordeal at sea in 2009 when his ship the Maersk Alabama was boarded by Somali pirates and whose story is the subject of a new feature film, Captain Phillips, starring Tom Hanks being released Oct.

14 May 2013

Upcoming NAMEPA National Maritime Day Seminar

Panelist Charles V. Darr: Photo credit NAMEPA

'Safety at Sea' focus of NAMEPA's National Maritime Day seminar at the Washington DC National Press Club. The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) will be offering a seminar “Environmental Intelligence in Maritime:  Safety at Sea", featuring shipboard safety, piracy, and an update on issues for seafarers. The seminar will take place on May 21st at the National Press Club in Washington DC commencing at 2:00pm. The seminar is intended to commemorate National Maritime Day, which is held on May 22nd to honor merchant mariners.

03 Jan 2013

'Pirate Alley' Author to Speak at NPC

Rear AdmTerry McKnight  featured speaker at National Press Club inauguration of Piracy Daily Web publication. The event will usher in the launching of Piracy Daily which, together with the already-published Piracy Daily Bulletin, is meant to provide critical understanding of a centuries-old (and the first-recognized) international crime against humanity—maritime piracy, a well-known but frequently misunderstood illegal activity that just late last year was elevated for full consideration by UN Security Council. The inaugural conference, "Maritime Security: Today's Victories and Tomorrow's Challenges," will have as its keynote speaker Rear Admiral Terry McKnight , USN (Ret.), author of Pirate Alley: Commanding Task Force 151 off Somalia.

08 May 2012

Safety at Sea Focus of National Maritime Day Seminar

NAMEPA’s May 21st Event features Shipboard Safety, Piracy and  Seafarer Issues. Just months after the Costa Concordia accident, and amid daily reports of piracy and needless accidents at sea, the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) will be offering a seminar “Environmental Intelligence in Maritime:  Safety at Sea, featuring shipboard safety, piracy, and an update on issues for seafarers. The seminar will take place on May 21st at the National Press Club in Washington DC commencing at 3:00pm.

02 Feb 2012

NAVFAC Announces 2012 Engineers of the Year

The 2012 Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) military and civilian Engineers of the Year award was announced Feb. 2 by NAVFAC Commander Rear Admiral Christopher J. Mossey. Senior Civil Engineer Bruce Seamans at NAVFAC Atlantic in Norfolk, Va. was selected as the civilian Engineer of the Year, and Lt. Christopher Casne, Facilities Engineering Acquisition Division (FEAD) team leader at NAVFAC Hawaii in Pearl Harbor, was selected as the military Engineer of the Year. “These two civil engineers represent the best of the Navy,” said NAVFAC Chief Engineer and Director of Capital Improvements Joseph Gott. Seamans served as the chief engineer for the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team and Regional Command South from August 2010 to July 2011.

11 May 2011

National Maritime Day Dinner, AMVER Awards

On May 23rd at the National Press Club in Washington DC, the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA)  and IHS Fairplay will be hosting a dinner to commemorate National Maritime Day, which is held on May 22nd to honor merchant mariners. At this dinner, the 2010 AMVER (Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System) Award recipients will receive recognition for their service from Congressman Frank LoBiondo, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, and Coast Guard Commandant Robert Papp. The evening begins at 6:00PM with a reception. The genesis of the Amver system ultimately finds its roots in the RMS TITANIC disaster in 1912.

16 Mar 2011

Bentley to be Feted by National Maritime Historical Society

Photo courtesy BSY Associates Inc.

Helen Delich Bentley will be an honoree at the National Maritime Historical Society's Washington Annual Award Dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, at the National Press Club, 529 14th St., NW, Washington, DC, 20045. A former chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission and five-term U.S. Congresswoman representing Maryland's 2nd Congressional District, Bentley's history of advocacy for the Port of Baltimore was highlighted in 2006 when the Port was officially renamed The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore by Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich.

01 Jul 2010

Deepwater Horizon—Further proof that oil and water don’t mix

Maritime Reporter invited Carleen Lyden-Kluss, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association to provide an overview of the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. On April 20, our maritime world changed. No matter how you slice it, everyone in the maritime industry feels the effects of the tragedy; the loss of 11 lives and injury to 17 others, the extensive environmental impact, the economic fallout and ongoing costs, the exposure of weaknesses in the response system, and the regulatory changes that will result from this. The details of the event are well known:  the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, also called the BP Oil Spill/the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, is now considered the largest offshore spill in U.S. history.

12 Mar 2010

WCI on 2011 Civil Works Budget

Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) held a press event on March 8 at the National Press Club to address the President’s FY 2011 budget request for the Army Corps of Engineers, and to outline the new comprehensive, consensus-based package of recommendations formulated by an industry and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers working group to improve the reliability of the U.S. inland navigation system over the next 20 years. If adopted by Congress, these recommendations will better address the needs of the entire system and provide more funding for much needed infrastructure improvements. The set of recommendations is receiving strong indications of…

16 Feb 2010

State of the Coast Guard Address

Photo courtesy USCG

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen delivered his fourth and final State of the Coast Guard address at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Feb. 12. In his annual address, Allen discussed the Coast Guard's response to the earthquake in Haiti, the operational character of the service and the challenges it faces in the future. He also summarized facets of the Coast Guard’s fiscal year 2011 budget proposal and spoke about the need to replace the service's aging vessels…

22 Apr 2009

Maritime Leaders Tackle Security Issues

Maritime leaders will gather to discuss critical industry security issues in a seminar being held on May 21st in Washington DC in conjunction with National Maritime Day. Key industry and government representatives will meet to discuss “Security and the Seafarer:  A Cautionary Tale”. The event will be held at the National Press Club in the Holeman Room commencing at 3:00p.m. and ending at 5:00p.m. The seminar is being presented by the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA), and the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA). “This is a timely opportunity to have both government and industry stakeholders discussing their roles and challenges in providing security for our nation and her citizens…

05 Mar 2009

State of the Coast Guard Video Released

The U.S. Coast Guard released video imagery March 4 of Commandant, Adm. Thad Allen delivering his State of the Coast Guard address here at the National Press Club, March 3. In his address, Allen outlined the service's goals and priorities for 2009, and addressed how demand for the Coast Guard has never been higher. As an armed service, Department of Homeland Security component agency, National Intelligence Community member and the Nation's lead representative in the International Maritime Organization…

27 Feb 2009

State of the Coast Guard Address

USCG Commandant Thad Allen

The U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, Adm. Thad Allen, is scheduled to deliver his State of the Coast Guard address Tuesday, 3:00 p.m., at the National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW, 13th floor, Washington, to outline the Service's goals and priorities for 2009. In this annual address, Allen will outline how even in this era of persistent conflict and with the current global economic situation, the Coast Guard is able to effectively safeguard the nation's maritime safety, security and stewardship needs.

11 Jan 2008

NAVSEA Engineers Selected for Engineer of the Year Awards

The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) announced the selection of D. Mark Johnson, Director, Force Electromagnetic Environmental Effects and Spectrum Management Engineering Branch as the U.S. Navy, Naval Sea System Command (NAVSEA) Engineer of the Year and the NAVSEA candidate for the 2008 Federal Engineer of the Year Award. Thomas Choinski of the Naval Sea Undersea Warfare Center Division (NUWC), Newport Division was also named as a Top Ten finalist by NSPE. “This award is an overwhelming honor. In effect, I view it as validating the hard work of our field activities and contractor partners, and an admirable reflection of the value NAVSEA leadership places on its people.” said Johnson.