Conference Center News

The US Coast Guard presented public service awards to maritime partners for their actions during the Golden Ray capsizing and subsequent response during a ceremony at the Southeast Georgia Conference Center.The public service awards recognized each individual’s commendable actions that resulted in the preservation of life and mitigation of environmental hazards and economic impacts during the Golden Ray capsizing and grounding in St. Simon's Sound, Georgia, on Sept. 8, 2019.Rear Adm. Douglas Schofield, commander, Coast Guard Seventh District, and U.S.

The integrity of the marine transportation system as a key plank in a country's economic prosperity is in heightened focus today, with logistics snarls contributing to fast rising inflation. Maintaining the integrity of the vast U.S. inland waterway system - with more than 12,000 miles of inland and intracoastal waterways including 218 lock chambers at 176 sites - is the focus of the Maritime Risk Symposium 2022, a 2.5-day conference scheduled for November 15-17, hostd by Argonne National Laboraty's TCS Conference Center.On Wednesday, November 16, 2022, James P.

Cutting-edge solutions to an unprecedented increase in human and technological challenges will be unveiled when global trade association Interferry stages its 46th annual conference in Seattle this October on the theme of ‘Power and People’.As Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan explains, "In a fast-changing operational and environmental climate, the ferry industry’s long-term success depends more than ever on two main factors. We need to attract dedicated people who are interested in pursuing a rewarding maritime career and help them achieve the qualifications required by our industry.

Interferry has launched a call for papers addressing the ‘Power and People’ themes of its 46th annual conference taking place in Seattle, Washington, in October 2022.Under the Power theme, presentations are invited on any sustainable, future-proof vessel powering options and the related challenges – notably the regulatory targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions of some 50% by 2030 and a ‘net zero’ scenario by 2050. With electrification emerging as the ferry industry’s key driver towards these goals…

On behalf of the MM&P MATES Program, The Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) and Maritime Conference Center (MCC) announce the appointment of Eric Friend as the new executive director.“The trustees’ decision to select Friend as the next executive director has made the transition much easier. Friend has been running the Academic Division for several years, and has been involved in most major decisions,” said Glen Paine, former executive director, now retired. “Eric is smart, dedicated, and respected by the trustees, students, and industry.

The biggest annual gathering of Poland’s maritime industry leaders, the Maritime Economy Forum Gdynia is unveiling its program.The day-long event, now in its 19th year, takes place on October 11 in Gdynia, featuring 30 speakers with 600 senior figures from Poland’s maritime sector and around the world expected to attend.Forum chairman Slawomir Kalicki said the conference will see a morning session examine some of the biggest issues facing the international maritime sector, worth an estimated $3-$6 trillion a year, from an EU, Baltic Sea and Polish perspective.

The biennial Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum will be held from May 28-29, 2019, at the Domotel Kastri Conference Center, in Athens’ northern suburbs. Here there will be more than 30 senior cruise executives responsible for ports and destinations from the world’s biggest cruise lines, including MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Holland America Group, Disney Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and Celestyal Cruises among others.Elisabetta De Nardo, VP Port Development…

The National Transportation Safety Board announced Thursday its intent to hold a board meeting, Dec. 11, 2018, to determine the probable cause of the Jan. 14, 2018, fire aboard the passenger vessel Island Lady, in the waters of the Pithlachascotee River near Port Richey, Florida.One passenger died and 14 others were transported to area hospitals in the accident that left the vessel so damaged it was declared a constructive total loss.The Island Lady had 53 people aboard when at about 4 p.m. the captain received a high-temperature alarm for the port engine’s jacket-water system.

MMA Launches Third Graduate Degree, M.S. Maritime Business Management. The Massachusetts Maritime Academy has announced the launch of their third Graduate Degree, the Master of Science in Maritime Business Management. MMA developed the MSMB over a four-year period as a campus-wide collaborative effort with the Academic Dean, the Dean of Graduate & Continuing Education, the undergraduate International Maritime Business Department faculty and input gathered from employers, prospective students, the Graduate Education Council, and MMA graduate and undergraduate alumni. The MSMB program is certified by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

What does the future hold for Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval station? Building on the accomplishments of the last 100 years, leading experts will consider the possibilities and navigate toward a secure and sustainable future at the upcoming symposium, Naval Station Norfolk: Charting Our Next 100 Years, Friday October 20th at the Main, hotel and conference center. The Future Fleet Design session will be conducted by VADM Richard P. Breckenridge from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.. The session will discuss the USFF Fleet Design Plan that will drive the implementation of Fleet Design by 2023. The presentation on Fleet Design will define how the fleet…

Step into MPT’s new state-of-the-art S.M.A.R.T. simulation center in Fort Lauderdale and Captain Ted Morley lights up. While the center is packed with the very latest in maritime simulation software and hardware, his eagerness to usher us through the new building transcends any new technology, because at MPT mariner training is personal; it always has been, and if Captain Morley has his way it always will be. It is clear to see that MPT’s new simulation center in Fort Lauderdale is a source of pride for Captain Ted Morley.

In South Florida sits MPT, one of the most prolific and progressive maritime training facilities. Already fully stocked, MPT added significant weight to its offering in 2016 with investment in 25,000 sq. ft. of new training space and technology. MPT handles more than 12,000 students a year from all segments of the maritime industry and from more than a dozen countries. With that range MPT has students from ship operators, tug companies, passenger vessels, offshore and energy exploration companies…

The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) infrastructure is operational and ocean scientists can now integrate OOI observations into their research proposals and projects. The UNOLS Ocean Observing Science Committee (OOSC) along with OOI’s Science Oversight Committee (SOC) are organizing a workshop that will focus on current and future science addressed by the extensive OOI infrastructure in the Northeast Pacific. This includes the OOI Cabled, Endurance, and Station Papa Arrays. Early science successes from OOI will be highlighted, as well as Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) and NOAA projects focused on furthering scientific understanding of coastal and offshore processes.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD), in cooperation with the Maryland Environmental Resource Center, will hold an open forum to solicit input on the Agency’s Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) Program and key environmental issues facing maritime transportation. Specific topics of discussion will include how MARAD might be able to better focus requests for proposals, and how to address various levels of technology readiness. Input received will inform MARAD and Department of Transportation decision making regarding possible future research, development and demonstration projects. The META program seeks to foster collaborative efforts among Federal agencies, academia, industry and the public to address critical marine transportation environmental issues.

Independent multi-discipline subsea engineering and training firm Jee Ltd. has completed a contract with Decom North Sea (DNS), the representative body for the decommissioning industry, to identify methods of salvage and re-use options for concrete subsea mattresses. The aim of the project, which commenced in February 2015 and saw Jee partner with DNS and Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS), was to identify new solutions for subsea mattress removal which would work without diver interventions during the lift procedure, resulting in improved safety and reduced costs.

The proliferation of increasingly sophisticated and realistic maritime simulation facilities is taking the market by storm, with investment globally to train new and old mariners alike to exacting new standards. “Simulation technology has continued on a more or less steadily upward trajectory over the last ten years,” said Sam Pecota, Director of Simulation, California Maritime Academy, “The clarity and fidelity of our current full mission simulators is significantly superior to that which was possible at the turn of the century.

Leaders in the shipping community will gather from across the country to discuss the emerging challenges facing the shipping industry. Speakers will include Joseph Hughes, Chairman & CEO, The American Club, Emilian Papadopoulos, Chief of Staff, Good Harbor Security Risk Management, Nathalie Sykora, Vice President Global Technical Services at The CSL Group, to name a few. For full details visit www.wista2015agm.com or contact conference coordinators at [email protected] with any questions.

Service members and civilians packed the Pentagon Library Conference Center for the Navy Reserve Centennial Kickoff Celebration March 2. Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Robin R. Braun delivered the opening remarks, commending Navy Reserve Sailors for being ready then, ready now and ready always, and introduced Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert, the centennial's keynote speaker. "Serving through the Cold War, I've seen the Navy Reserve go from a group of 'One day we may need them, let's hold on to them. That's our strategic reserve,'... to integration, to addiction in Desert Shield/Desert Storm,... to really, frankly, total integration today," Greenert said. Greenert and Braun visited the U.S.

Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) launched an initiative on December 10, 2014 aiming to transform training for America’s inland mariners at its Center for Maritime Education in Paducah, KY. The day before its 15th Annual River Bell Awards ceremony, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) pushed the proverbial boat out on a new era of maritime education. In prior months, SCI had installed new simulators and renovated the hospitality areas at its Center for Maritime Education in Paducah, KY. The official dedication of the refurbished Center on December 10 revealed SCI’s blueprint for preparing a new generation of mariners for safe operations on American waterways.

On December 10, 2014, SCI launched a major initiative to transform training for America’s inland mariners at its Center for Maritime Education in Paducah, KY. The day before its 15th Annual River Bell Awards ceremony, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) pushed the proverbial boat out on a new era of maritime education. In prior months, SCI had installed new simulators and renovated the hospitality areas at its Center for Maritime Education in Paducah, KY. The official dedication…

Summit Set for October 8, 2014 at UNO’s Lindy Boggs International Conference Center from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. With a focus on educating and engaging community stakeholders on maritime jobs opportunities, the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans and the University of New Orleans will host the 1st Annual Port of New Orleans Maritime Workforce Summit October 8. Moderated by Mark Romig, President and CEO of the New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corp., summit participants include state and local education officials…

The American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) announced that registration has opened for its Launch and Recovery Symposium 2014: Launch and Recovery of Manned and Unmanned Vehicles from Surface Platforms. The theme for 2014 is Mission Effectiveness, Safety and Affordability. The event is slated to take place November 19-20, 201 at the Maritime Institute conference center in Linthicum, Md. According to ASNE, the symposium provides an opportunity to learn about launch, recovery and operations of manned and unmanned vehicles from marine platforms. Manned and unmanned vehicles include helicopters, rotorcraft, fixed-wing aircraft, RHIBs, high-speed craft, tenders, UAV, USV, UUV and more.

Senior leaders at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington formally recognized the service’s top enlisted and civilian members during the 2013 Coast Guard Persons of the Year Awards Ceremony. Vice Adm. Petty Officer 1st Class Travis Cutler, the 2013 Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year. Martin is a recreation assistant serving at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. Slate is an education services specialist serving at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound in New Haven, Conn. Mundy is a maritime enforcement specialist assigned to Coast Guard Special Missions Training Center’s Deployment Training Detachment Portsmouth, Va. “Mr. Martin, Ms. Slate, Petty Officer Cutler and Petty Officer Mundy, you should be very proud of your accomplishments,” said Neffenger.