Pluta to Oversee Homeland Security at UNITECH
UNITECH (Universal Systems & Technology, Inc.) has appointed Rear Adm. Paul J. Pluta, USCG (retired), to the position of senior vice president for homeland security. Adm. Pluta, who served as the assistant commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection was instrumental in pulling together the new port security requirements for U.S. waterways in the days following the terrorist attacks. He brings to UNITECH more than 36 years of distinguished Coast Guard experience…
MITAGS To Host Conference
MITAGS will host the national conference, “Maritime Careers: Implementing the Action Plans for Recruiting and Retaining Mariners” at Linthicum Heights Campus on May 1-2, 2002. Glen Paine, executive director, Maritime Institute of Technology & Graduate Studies (MITAGS) and Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI), Seattle, Wash., announced that MITAGS would host a national conference for national consensus on mariner recruitment and retention at its Linthicum Heights campus on May 1 and May 2, 2002. The American Merchant Marine has been impacted by a critical loss of professional mariners in recent years. The aim of this conference is to build a national consensus and plan that will project a positive image of mariners and create an appreciative awareness of the maritime industry.
People & Company News
Duramax Marine, a world leader in water-lubricated rubber bearings, recently broke ground on a new facility that will streamline the company's current manufacturing operations. The facility, with approximately 65,000 sq. ft. of factory and office space will consolidate production and administration into one centralized location in Troy Township, Ohio, approximately 40 miles south east of Cleveland. The expected grand opening will be the first quarter of 2001. Watson Coatings Inc. said that Gordon Watson, founder and CEO, retired on Nov. 2, 2000. Gordon founded Watson Coatings in 1987 with his wife Carol, and sons, Tom and Gary. Carol Watson will continue as Office Manager…
Marathon Ashland Petroleum Garners USCG Award
Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC’s (MAP) Marine Transportation group has received the U.S. Coast Guard’s prestigious William M. Benkert Award for Environmental Excellence. Accepting the silver award on behalf of MAP Marine Transportation was Bruce Tilton, manager, Marine Transportation. “This is indeed an honor, and we are truly thrilled to receive this award, says Tilton. “Because this is the U.S. Coast Guard’s premier national award, recognizing marine environmental excellence, the competition is fierce- there are rigorous and demanding standards that a company has to meet to be considered,” adds Tilton. Tilton accepted the award from Coast Guard Rear Admiral Paul J.
USCG-AWO Group Works on Barge Inspection Program
USCG inspection experts and tank barge operators have formed a quality action team (QAT) to develop a new barge inspection program to ease industry concerns regarding the USCG's Streamlined Inspection Program (SIP). The SIP, which is well-suited to the needs of complex inspection regimes, does not provide enough flexibility to address the unique inspection needs of tank barge operators. The goal of the new effort is to produce an alternative compliance approach and new regulations allowing for some form of audited self-inspection. In meetings with Rear Admiral Robert C. North, assistant commandant for marine safety and environmental protection, and Rear Admiral Paul J.
