Socp News

“Until every employee, and every midshipman, and cadet, and every trainee trusts the system and until all allegations are handled properly, abuse will continue to occur, it will continue to go unreported, and people will continue to suffer alone—and that is simply intolerable,” said Lucinda Lessley, Acting Maritime Administrator, presenting at the Connecticut Maritime Association Shipping Expo and Conference, in February.On March 30, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) released…

If you and your crew are facing questions about ballast water management (BWM) and related regulatory deadlines, it would be worth your while to download a new (January 2021) “Ballast Water Management Systems User Guide,” an extensive, in-depth look at evaluating, selecting and installing a BWM system. The guide was published by MARAD and Glosten for the Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP). It is geared primarily toward U.S.-flag operators in domestic and international trade.As most mariners know, BWM, overseen federally by U.S. EPA and the Coast Guard, includes a number of activities.

BWMS User Guide lays out path to compliance over lifetime of installationThe Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) has released the Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS) User Guide. Developed by Glosten in cooperation with the SOCP Members and support from the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD), the guide simplifies the complex regulatory framework around ballast water management and provides step-by-step methods for integrating and operating a compliant BWMS.The guide is geared primarily toward U.S.

Good maritime training provides much more than the certifications, licenses and documentation needed to qualify for the job. It goes beyond preparing crews to carry out onboard functions safely and efficiently day in and day out. Well-trained mariners have the skills and knowledge to handle almost anything thrown their way – even when confronting the unexpected. But what happens when the unexpected is a pandemic?COVID-19’s effects on industries across the world have been widespread and diverse, forcing businesses to adjust to an entirely new set of global circumstances.

Crowley Maritime Corporation’s Zoe Goss, director, marine recruiting and development, and Ray Martus, vice president, vessel construction management, have been honored with 2016 Thomas Crowley Awards, the company’s highest honor for its employees. Goss and Martus each received a limited-edition bronze sculpture that depicts company founder Thomas Crowley ferrying goods in a row boat across San Francisco Bay in the early 1890s. The award serves not only as a tribute to the founder of the company…

The Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) picks MYMIC Simulations to develop a computer based training product on the prevention of sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH) in the maritime industry. Sexual assault, sexual harassment and other such inappropriate and prohibited behaviors on and off ships are illegal, negatively affect morale, cause disruption and cost time and money. The purpose of this SOCP project, supported by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is to develop, produce, distribute and promote the use of an interactive Computer Based Training (CBT) product to provide effective training for merchant mariners aboard U.S. flag vessels in best practices to address SA/SH issues affecting shipboard and shore leave culture and climate in the U.S. Merchant Marine.

Forum promotes improved safety, security, productivity, efficiency and environmental performance through collaboration and innovation. ABS hosted the fall meeting of the Ship Operators Cooperative Program (SOCP) in Houston October 5 and 6, welcoming representatives from industry, government and academia to discuss current issues and new technologies. “It is a privilege to host the SOCP and to share information with the other member organizations,” says ABS Chief Technology Officer Howard Fireman. A number of significant issues were on the meeting agenda, which kicked off with a look at the impact of Subchapter M and how companies can prepare for implementation.

MARAD released an Energy Efficiency White Paper. The Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced the availability of the Energy Efficiency White Paper that provides marine vessel owners and operators information on how to evaluate potential investments in efficiency measures and technologies. The white paper outlines the latest energy efficiency measures currently available for marine vessels, including how the technology works, potential fuel savings, applicability to various vessels types, and lifecycle costs. If implemented, these types of energy efficiency measures may also assist owners of vessels undergoing a major conversion to comply with the Energy Efficiency for Ships Regulations contained in Chapter 4 of MARPOL Annex VI.

An updated version of the “Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems Selection Guide” is now available, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced today. Developed by the Ship Operations Cooperative Program with funding from MARAD’s Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) Program, the guide provides ship owners and operators information on scrubber technology to assist the industry in meeting new sulfur emissions standards. Now in its fourth edition, the latest version includes guidance on regulatory requirements and compliance options…

The U.S. Executive Branch has declared that the cyber threat is one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face as a nation, and that America’s economic prosperity in the 21st century will depend on effective cyber security. Before the maritime industry sounds the danger signal, it needs to monitor other industries and branches of the government and take proactive preventative measures. There is no better place to prepare future and current mariners for these challenges than in maritime simulators.

We recently came across a very interesting report issued to Congress by the United States Coast Guard. The May 2012 study might seem dated, but that’s hardly the case. Actually, it’s a telling description of what can go wrong, why and perhaps, a blueprint for how to go forward and fix things. That’s our take, in any event. The Report chronicles oil spills from all vessel types, including the towing industry, tank ships, the offshore industry, freighters, and fishing vessels. Section…

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced today the availability of a free, computer-based training course (CBT) on cyber-threats in the maritime environment. The DVD aims to assist vessel owners and operators, merchant marine unions, maritime academies and other maritime organizations with training U.S. mariners on best practices to reduce the risks and vulnerability associated with information systems and devices. The CBT was developed through a cooperative agreement with the Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) and can be obtained by visiting the “Products” tab on its website (socp.us).

Education for the next generation, employment for life. A new source of talent emerges for maritime stakeholders everywhere. Primary and secondary maritime schools are sprouting up across the country, inspiring K-12 students to learn about the exciting, yet sometimes obscured domestic waterfront. The goals of these maritime school programs are many and multifaceted, but at the core they motivate and engage students by bringing something new and exciting to the classroom while giving teachers an effective means for capturing the attention of their classes.

The SOCP cordially invites the maritime community to attend the SOCP Annual Fall Meeting, celebrating 20 Years of Collaboration & Innovation to Improve the U.S. Maritime Industry . This event will be held at MITAGS-PMI-CCMIT, 692 Maritime Boulevard, Linthicum, MD 21090 on November 6-7, 2013 . A high caliber line up of speakers h ave been invited to this exciting event, including Mr. Paul N. Jaenichen, Sr, Acting Maritime Administrator of MARAD and Rear Admiral Joseph A. Servidio, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, U.S. Coast Guard. Moderator:  Rear Admiral Joseph A. Moderator:   Ms.

20 Years of Collaboration & Innovation to Improve the U.S. The Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) cordially invites the maritime community to attend the SOCP Annual Fall Meeting, celebrating 20 Years of Collaboration & Innovation to Improve the U.S. Maritime Industry. This event will be held at MITAGS-PMI-CCMIT, 692 Maritime Boulevard, Linthicum, MD 21090 on November 6-7, 2013. A high caliber line up of speakers have been invited to this exciting event, including Mr. Paul N. Jaenichen, Sr, Acting Maritime Administrator of MARAD and Rear Admiral Joseph A.

Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) meeting invites maritime industry representatives. This meeting will focus on Recruiting the Next Generation of Mariners and how Regulatory Requirements and Critical Incidents impact the US Maritime Industry; also about lessons learned in the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy. The Keynote Speaker and Moderator will be Rear Admiral Wendi B. Carpenter, President, State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College. Recruiting the Next Generation of Mariners - How Do We Best Work Together? Regulatory Impacts on Crew Recruitment and Retention - How Do We Reduce? Maritime Lessons Learned from Super Storm Sandy - Opportunities for Improvement in Vessel Capabilities for Disaster Response?

The Greek Section of the prestigious international Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers ( SNAME ) had an impressive participation in the October 2012 SNAME Annual Meeting in Providence, Rhode Island in USA. Ten of its members attended the week long meetings and activities: 7 student SNAME members from the National Technical University of Athens ( NTUA ),  Department of Naval Architecture,  Prof. Harilaos Psaraftis of NTUA and SNAME International Regional Vice President who presented a paper…

The Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) cordially invites maritime industry representatives to attend and participate in its November meeting in Linthicum, MD on November 2nd and 3rd. Delegates and ranking officers of the US Maritime Administration and Department of Transportation were invited to address the meeting. In addition, senior representatives from Federal and State Government and the commercial industry will present a comprehensive discussion on the impact of regulatory changes in the areas of safety, environment and training in the US maritime industry.

The Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) will be hosting the SOCP Fall 2011 Meeting at the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) on November 1-3, 2011. The focus for this meeting is Safety/Security Issues Impacting the Maritime Industry. This meeting will be attended by government and maritime industry representatives. This will provide an opportunity to meet them and discuss your products and services. SOCP is also planning a Counter Piracy demonstration in conjunction with this meeting on November 1st.

M.E.B.A. Announces Appointment of Captain Lee A. Kincaid as President and James E. Caponiti as Executive Director of the AMC. Together they bring over 60 years of Maritime and Political Experience to the American Maritime Congress. The Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (M.E.B.A.) and the American Maritime Congress (AMC) are pleased to announce the permaent appointment of Captain Lee A. Kincaid as President of the AMC, and James E. Caponiti as Executive Director. “I am very excited to permanently welcome Captain Kincaid as AMC President…

Dania Beach, FL (April 21, 2011) – International Maritime Security Network (IMSN) has become the first maritime security training center to offer an eLearning-based Anti-Piracy Defense Course certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), a worldwide leading certification body offering the latest in management systems certification services, under its SeaSkill™ standard for maritime learning programs. The announcement was made by Captain Timothy D. Nease (ret.), co-founder and CEO of IMSN, at the Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) in Dania Beach, Fla.

The Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) announced the release of a recently completed study on Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS). SOCP conducted the study in light of new EPA regulations that become mandatory to ships operating in Emission Control Areas (ECA) in 2015 requiring low sulfur emission. The objective of the study is to assist ship operators in the dilemma of switching to expensive distillate fuel in ECA or install EGCS and continue to burn hi-sulfur heavy fuels. The Guide will assist ship operators in determining their emissions requirements, calculating potential cost savings, and understanding the integration and operational challenges of various EGCS technologies available today. The development of this Guide is made possible through the financial support of the U.S.

The theme for the Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) April meeting is “Supported Project Topics and Working Groups Issues. SOCP invites maritime industry representatives to attend and participate in our April 2011 meeting to be held at STAR Center, Dania Beach, Flla. The discussions in this meeting will focus on SOCP supported projects and products currently under development for the benefit of the entire industry. This will include SOCP multimedia training products (DVD/CBT) on Electrical Safety Training, Line Handling Safety, Safety Culture, CEM’s Ocean Training and recently completed Exhaust Gas Scrubber Study. Also included are presentations and panel discussions on a broad range of vexing issues faced by the industry in areas of regulatory changes…