Offshore Marine Services Association News

In November the U.S. House of Representatives’ Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee held a hearing on “Commercial and Passenger Vessel Safety: Challenges and Opportunities.” Testimony covered a range of issues, from recent tragedies such as the Conception dive-boat disaster to antiquated maritime laws.Hearing witness list:Rear Admiral Richard V. Timme, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, United States Coast GuardThe Honorable Richard Balzano…

Choosing the year’s ‘top stories’ is always a difficult task. Many compelling story threads played out, each dramatically impacting the North American waterfront, and in particular, the workboat sector – each in their own unique way.The Infrastructure Battle ContinuesThe EXECUTIVE SUMMARY H.R. 2396, the “Full Utilization of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Act”, will ensure that the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is used for its intended purpose – maintaining Federally-authorized harbors. The legislation would allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to dredge all Federal harbors to their constructed widths and depths. Unfortunately, Washington continues in chaos with another continuing resolution on the budget; the next one expires on December 20th.

Aaron Smith has been appointed as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Offshore Marine Services Association, Inc. (OMSA), the national trade association representing the U.S.-flag offshore workboat industry. Smith’s appointment follows the resignation of Ben Billings, who has led OMSA since 2013. Smith has held various positions in government and public affairs. He has been instrumental in the development of OSVDPA, a dynamic positioning certification authority for the OSV industry. Prior to that, he served in Washington, D.C.

CFR 46 Subchapter M is on track and heading for you. Neither the U.S. Flag inland vessel industry, nor the United States Coast Guard knows for sure where or when, but it is coming. One thing is for sure, however, it is going to be expensive – very expensive. Subchapter ‘M’ has been cooking for over a decade and is meant to address a segment of the U.S. commercial inland marine industry that currently carries the moniker of “uninspected” vessel. Far from truly uninspected, responsible operators, in consort with the Coast Guard, The American Waterways Operators (AWO), insurers, lenders and classification societies, have for many years – for safety and liabilities sake – addressed a considerable number of issues now scheduled to be codified under Subchapter M.

Chris Charman took over as Chief Executive of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) in December of last year. IMCA’s Chief Executive leads the IMCA secretariat and is responsible for delivering the association’s extensive global work program. Charman, perhaps not widely known to our North American readership, nevertheless brings impressive qualifications to this important advocacy group for the international offshore, marine and underwater engineering sectors.

Marine-Finance.Com announced that Joe Pitch has signed on as Managing Director for Marine-Finance.Com LLC. Pitch joins former CitiCapital Commercial Marine Finance colleague Robert Girard, SVP, who, along with CEO Richard Paine, constituted the core of the CitiBank- affiliated marine group. Pitch is a 30-year veteran of the equipment leasing/finance industry he has financed more than $1b in equipment. Based in Dallas, Texas, Pitch is a graduate of Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. He is a past member of the American Waterway Operators (AWO), the Offshore Marine Services Association (OMSA) and an affiliate member of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA).

Pictured is Senator Boxer. On February 14, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works conducted a legislative hearing on the Marine Vessel Emissions Reduction Act of 2007 (S. 1499). Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA) discussed the harmful air emissions from ships and the measures that would be required if her proposed legislation were enacted. Ranking Member James Inhofe (R-OK) pointed out that adoption of MARPOL Annex VI is preferable to enacting unilateral legislation.

Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) honored its best and brightest at a ceremony held in early November. The college formally recognized alumni success and achievement, student academic success, and faculty achievement at its annual Celebration of Achievement on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2006. Included among those recognized were three outstanding college alumni. All were inducted into the college’s Wall of Honor. Initiated in 1997, the college’s Wall of Honor was created to recognize alumni, who, through achievements in professional and civic life, have brought honor to themselves and to Maine Maritime Academy. Inductees are selected from nominations made at large by alumni and the public.