Rivers Institute News

Within the U.S. inland waterways industry, any mention of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) will almost certainly be in reference to the “Infrastructure Report Card” that ASCE prepares and issues every four years, describing the condition and performance of America’s infrastructure in 16 categories: aviation, bridges, dams, drinking water, energy, hazardous waste, inland waterways, levees, ports, public parks, rail, roads, schools, solid waste, transit and waste water.

Stevens Institute of Technology congratulates Thomas H. Wakeman III, research professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Ocean Engineering who will hold the position of 2015 President-Elect for two prestigious American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) organizations: the Coast, Oceans, Ports and Rivers Institute (COPRI) and the Academy of Coastal, Ocean, Port and Navigation Engineers (ACOPNE), which awards engineering certification in these specialty areas of civil engineering. In 2016, he will be the President of the two organizations and represent COPRI and ACOPNE at national and international events. A Life Member of ASCE, Dr. Wakeman has extensive experience in navigation engineering, port development, maritime security, and freight transportation planning.

Bryan N. Jones has joined HDR in Boston as a senior project manager for the Ports & Maritime group, a growing team of HDR marine specialists in the Northeast to support an increasing number of assignments following Super Storm Sandy. He will also focus on business development with key ports clients and marine terminals to continue expanding HDR’s presence in New England. Prior to joining HDR, Jones was chief project manager and regional director of the Massachusetts branch office of Ocean and Coastal Consultants.

Specialty certifications programs are growing in most professions as the knowledge needed to practice continues to rapidly increase. Specialty certification supports the explosion of continuing professional development. The American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) Academy of Coastal Ocean Port & Navigation Engineers (ACOPNE) held its 6th Diplomate Induction Ceremony to honor 21 of its members for their higher education achievement during its annual meeting Monday, August 22, 2011, in San Diego, Calif.

The maritime industry has an image problem. Perceived to be an aging industry, many players in the maritime niche deal daily with the very real problem of replenishing its employment ranks, from desk jobs designing and operating vessels, to those at sea and in the construction yards. While the problem is multi-faceted and without a clear solution, this article is not about problems. It's about hope and the future. Traditional industries such as maritime are often lost to the youth, as higher-profile, more glamourous opportunities are found in computing and entertainment, for example. Simply put, many bright minds are lost before the battle has begun.