Marine Link
Friday, March 29, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

John Breaux News

21 Mar 2018

American Pride: Working Hard in the US Dredging Industry

World Marine of Alabama (WMA) completed work on a contract valued at over $14 million to drydock and repair the Dredge Wheeler, a hopper dredge owned and operated by the USACE. (Photo: WMA)

We have had a great first couple of months at the Dredging Contractors of America. As the new CEO and Executive Director, I have begun to visit the companies, their facilities and associated dredging projects. So far, I have surveyed the beach re-nourishment project in Ocean City, Md. undertaken by Great Lakes Dredge and Dock. I’ve canvassed Weeks Marine’s repair and yard facility in Jersey City, N.J. In the last week of February, I visited Mike Hooks Inc.’s corporate headquarters and boatbuilding and repair yard in West Lake, La.

16 Apr 2011

WISTA USA Discusses Regulatory, Enforcement, Congressional Impact

At its Annual General Meeting in Washington, DC in early April, more than 70 WISTA USA members and guests gathered to discuss issues of concern to the maritime community. Leading authorities from the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Department of Justice, regulatory and trade associations, and the U.S. Congress met with shipping professionals to discuss and debate the current status of environmental and enforcement issues and the impact of the 112th Congress on the industry, and to examine strategies for moving forward.

22 Jan 2010

Grassley Receives WCI Leadership Award

Photo courtesy the office of Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) will receive the Ninth Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Award on Wednesday, February 24, 2010, at 6 p.m. at the W Hotel, Washington, DC. As one of the principal leaders in the effort to get the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP) authorized in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007, Senator Grassley will be honored for his strong support for the improvement of the Nation’s ports and commercial inland waterways system…

23 Feb 2009

Harkin to Receive Waterways Council Award

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) will receive the Eighth Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Award on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, at 6 p.m. at the Willard Hotel, Washington, DC. Senator Harkin will be honored for his steadfast commitment to the improvement of the Nation’s ports and commercial inland waterways system over his many years in Congress. Harkin worked to broaden the support for locks and dam improvements crafting a measure with Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) that made improvements to environmental programs on the Upper Mississippi River. That resulted in a broadening of the coalition in support of moving forward with both improved locks and environmental mitigation. The measure was passed as a part of the 2007 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

05 Mar 2008

Senator Byrd Named Port Person Of The Year

U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) will be honored as the American Association of Port Authorities' (AAPA) "Port Person of the Year" at the port association's annual Washington People's Luncheon on April 1 in Washington, D.C.'s historic Willard Inter-Continental Hotel. AAPA - a trade organization representing the leading public ports in the Western Hemisphere - selected Sen. Byrd to receive its most prestigious annual award based on his strong advocacy in Congress for increasing cargo and facility security at America's seaports. In addition to receiving the "Port Person" award, Sen. Byrd will serve as the luncheon's keynote speaker. During his remarks…

11 Feb 2008

Congressman Oberstar to Receive WCI Leadership Service Award

Congressman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) will receive the Seventh Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Award on February 27, 2008, at 6 p.m. at the Willard Hotel, Washington, DC. Representative Oberstar will be honored for his steadfast commitment to the improvement of the Nation’s ports and commercial inland waterways system over his many years in Congress. Past recipients of the award include Senator Robert C. Byrd (2007); Representative David Hobson (2006); Representative Jerry Costello and Representative John Duncan, Jr. (2005); Senator Kit Bond (2004); Senator John Breaux (2003), and Representative Sonny Callahan (2002). Congressman Oberstar is Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee…

04 Mar 2004

AAPA to Honor Senator Murray

U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) has been selected as Port Person of the Year by the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), the organization representing public ports throughout the Western Hemisphere. It is AAPA's most prestigious annual award, honoring an individual whose outstanding work or service has made a significant contribution to public port authorities and/or maritime commerce. The award will be presented to Senator Murray on March 23 at 8:30 a.m. during AAPA's annual Spring Conference, held at the Washington, D.C. Park Hyatt Hotel. The Port of Seattle, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the Port of Tacoma nominated Murray for the Port Person of the Year honor, which was ultimately decided by AAPA's Executive Committee upon review of all nominations.

09 Mar 2004

Senator Murray Selected as AAPA Port Person of the Year

U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) has been selected as Port Person of the Year by the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), the organization representing public ports throughout the Western Hemisphere. AAPA’s annual award, honors an individual whose outstanding work or service has made a significant contribution to public port authorities and/or maritime commerce. The award will be presented to Senator Murray on March 23 during AAPA’s annual Spring Conference, held at the Washington, D.C. Park Hyatt Hotel. The Port of Seattle, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the Port of Tacoma nominated Murray for the Port Person of the Year honor, which was ultimately decided by AAPA’s Executive Committee upon review of all nominations.

19 May 2004

Towing Vessel Inspection Proposal Advances

A bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 30 that encompasses the policy provisions of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 legislative package, including a proposal that would establish a new inspection program for the towing industry. The bill, entitled the Maritime Transportation Amendments of 2004 (H.R. 4251), was quickly slated for action. On May 6, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), convened a hearing on the authorization measure. During his opening remarks, Chairman LoBiondo stated, “Since the establishment of the Coast Guard, one of the Service’s primary duties has been to promote and protect the safety of life and property at sea. H.R.

11 Jan 2002

SISCO Impresses U.S. Senators

A U.S. Senate sub-committee offered positive feedback regarding a high-speed access control and accountability system developed by Security Identification Systems Corporation (SISCO). security. The Senator's remark was a reference to SISCO's A-PASS (Automated Personnel Assisted Security Screening), which is the latest, most sophisticated electronic access control system ever designed exclusively for the cruise industry. line passengers, guests and employees as they enter and exit a ship. "The A-PASS system promotes speed of passenger loading while giving the passengers a heightened sense of safety and security," said Zagami. The Senate Committee also heard expert testimony from the Interim Director of Port Everglades…

08 Jan 2002

Port Security Meeting Scheduled for Friday

Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) and John Breaux (D-La.) will hold a U.S. materials transportation at the University of Houston Law Center at 1:30 p.m. C.S.T., Friday, Jan. 11, 2002. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs officials. Prior to the hearing, at 11 a.m. Sam Houston (owned and operated by the Port of Houston Authority). tour, the vessel will dock back at the San Jacinto Battleground, and Sens. Hutchison and Breaux will be available to speak to media at 11:30 a.m. C.S.T. http://www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom/hearing.htm.

27 Feb 2002

Zoellick and Bonner To Speak at AAPA Conference

U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert B. Zoellick and U.S.Customs Commissioner Robert C. Spring Conference meeting on Tuesday, March 19, at the Washington Court Hotel in Washington, D.C. Ambassador Zoellick will receive AAPA's Port Person of the Year Award and will provide the keynote address at 8:30 a.m. on March 19. Commissioner Bonner will be the featured speaker during the Annual "Washington People's Luncheon" from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. He is expected to address seaport security issues during his remarks. AAPA's Port Person of the Year Award is presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to the port industry. opening markets abroad and maintaining an open-market policy within the U.S. maritime transportation.

08 Jun 2000

Congressional Maritime Legislative Initiatives In 2000

The year 2000 has enjoyed special significance as a transition year bridging two centuries. Similarly it has significance with U.S. lawmakers for the Second Session of the 106th Congress. As the last year of the currently elected Congress, this year anticipates action on a series of pending legislative measures and yet to be introduced proposals affecting the maritime industry. Specifically tax-related legislation and maritime policy-related legislation could be addressed. There are several tax-related provisions that could be considered. One of the main bills emphasizing maritime tax issues has been introduced in the House by Rep. Jim McCrery (R-LA) as H.R. 3225 and in the Senate by Sen. John Breaux (D-La.) as S. 1858. These bills include such measures as:A.

01 Jul 2002

Senate and House Appoint Maritime Conferees

legislation. The conferees will work through the many differences between the Port and Maritime Security Act of 2001 (S. 1214, as passed by the Senate on December 20, 2001), and the Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Act of 2002 (S. 4). Also expected to be considered in the conference is Senator John Breaux's (D-LA) Ship, Seafarer and Container Security Act (S. 2329). S. 2329 was approved the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on May 17 and is awaiting consideration by the full Senate. Breaux has stated that his intent is to try to incorporate the bill in any House-Senate conference report on maritime security.

21 Mar 2007

AAPA Selects Panama's President as Port Person of the Year

At its annual Spring Conference yesterday, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) announced the selection of Panama President Martin Torrijos as the association’s “Port Person of the Year” for his leadership in promoting maritime commerce. Specifically, President Torrijos is being honored for his efforts to spearhead the US$5.5 billion project to expand the 92-year-old Panama Canal, and to promote continued development of Panama’s seaports. “The Panama Canal expansion will have a profound effect on United States, Canadian, South American and Caribbean maritime businesses and will help facilitate the movement of the dramatic increases in global trade expected in the coming years,” said AAPA President and CEO Kurt Nagle.

20 Feb 2007

Senator Byrd to Receive WCI Leadership Service Award

Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) will receive the Sixth Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Award on February 28 at the Willard Hotel, Washington, DC. Senator Byrd will be honored for his steadfast commitment to the improvement of the Nation’s ports and commercial inland waterways system over his many years in Congress. Past recipients of the award include Representative David Hobson (2006); Representative Jerry Costello and Representative John Duncan, Jr. (2005); Senator Kit Bond (2004); Senator John Breaux (2003), and Representative Sonny Callahan (2002). Senator Byrd is Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, appointed to the Committee by then-Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson in 1959, the year Senator Byrd began his Senate service.

07 Jul 2003

News: Opposition Mounts to Inland Waterway Tax

In a June 3 letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Mitch Daniels, 23 members of the United States Senate, two of which chair key Senate committees, have expressed their strong opposition to the proposal in the FY 2004 budget to assess between 25 and 50 percent of the Inland Waterways Trust Fund to cover not only the currently mandated costs of new capital improvements and major rehabilitation on the inland system, but also the costs of operating and maintaining the nation's inland waterways. The senators - John Breaux (D-LA); Arlen Specter (R-PA); Mary Landrieu (D-LA); John Warner (R-VA, Chairman, Senate Armed Services Committee)…

05 May 2000

Legal Briefs

Avondale Industries, Inc. has agreed to pay $357,750 in penalties for safety and health violations at its shipyard in Avondale, La., and implement a revised safety and health program as part of a settlement agreement announced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). "We are pleased Avondale has agreed to resolve this matter," said Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman. "Avondale's new management has shown they are serious about eliminating safety hazards. OSHA originally inspected the shipyard in October 1998 following union complaints of possible imminent danger from falls, and other health issues. Based on that inspection, OSHA issued 60 citations against the shipbuilder last April and proposed fines of $537,000.

13 Jul 2001

Senate Supports Reduced Drilling Off Florida's Gulf Coast

The Senate on Thursday backed a White House compromise that drastically reduced proposed oil and natural gas drilling off Florida's Gulf Coast, rejecting a bid by the state's Democratic senators to temporarily block development of the tract. Voting 67-33, the Democratic-led Senate rejected an amendment pushed by Florida Sens. Bill Nelson and Bob Graham to delay for six months oil and gas leasing in a lucrative tract in federal waters off the coasts of Florida and Alabama. After the Republican-led House of Representatives voted last month for a six-month ban on the leasing, President George W. Bush agreed to shrink the tract by 75 percent and keep it at least 100 miles away from Florida's beaches. Florida lawmakers, including Gov.

27 Aug 1999

The Decks Are Clear for Congress to Act

This is a year to get things done in Washington. After a relatively unproductive congressional session last year and a slow start to the 106th Congress due to the focus on impeachment, the congressional leadership is promising an active year focused on "the people's business." That activism is good news for America's tugboat, towboat and barge industry, as there are two items - the deficit reduction tax and the use of strict criminal liability statutes - that ought to be addressed by this Congress. First, while the budget surplus debate considers options ranging from saving social security to paying down the national debt, we're told that public opinion polls do not generally favor spending the surplus in the form of a tax cut.

13 Feb 2002

Card-Carrying Members Only

Imagine having your picture taken as soon as you board any cruise vessel. While cruise lines have been observing this practice for many years for entertainment purposes, a new kind of photo has since come into play – the high speed interactive photo I.D. Developed by Security Identification Systems Corporation (SISCO), A-Pass (Automated Personnel Assisted Security Screening), provides a picture of each guest – even before boarding the ship – via a kiosk that stores each passengers photo upon insertion of their boarding card. Everyone who boards, even ships’ officers are required to observe this practice, which was presented before a Senate Subcommittee on Capitol Hill on January 9.

12 Jun 2003

Members of Senate Oppose FY 2004 Proposal

of operating and maintaining the nation's inland waterways. bi-partisan coalition of key legislators from a cross section of the country. the Inland Waterways Trust Fund through a fuel tax of 20 cents-per-gallon. locks and dams on the inland waterway system and major rehabilitation. and dams continue to erode. nation. waterways," the letter states. security. commodities which are generally described as the 'building blocks' of the U.S. the letter continued. infrastructure. which is deposited into general revenues. well as for operations and maintenance of the nation's coastal ports. the rapid mobilization of U.S. forces. transportation to congested highways and rail lines. negatively impact U.S. competitiveness," the letter said.