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Thomas H Collins News

31 Jan 2012

Collins Engineers Donates ROV to UW-Milwaukee

Thomas Collins, UW Staffe and donated ROV.

With the goal of enriching students’ educational experiences and enhancing the research capabilities of marine scientists on the Great Lakes, Collins Engineers, Inc. (Collins) has donated a Phantom-300 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee School of Freshwater Science (SFS), located at the Great Lakes WATER Institute. The cost of a similar ROV purchased new would range between $25,000 and $35,000. “The SFS offers interdisciplinary graduate-level training and provides a variety of marine research opportunities…

25 Jun 2010

This Day in Coast Guard History – June 25

1936-"The act of June 25, 1936 was in reality an amendment to the Seamen’s Act of 1915, and had been called the Merchant Marine Act of 1936. This law provided for (1) "qualifications, examinations, and issuance of certificates of service or efficiency to unlicensed personnel; (2) the issuance of continuous discharge books to all seagoing personnel," a three-watch eight-hour day, and certain citizenship requirements. The act greatly increased the workload of the shipping commissioners, particularly in providing for the issuance of discharge books and various certificates. 2002- U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation Michael Jackson, joined by U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Thomas H. Collins, announced the award of the Integrated Deepwater System (IDS) contract.

05 Feb 2004

Oversight Hearing on DHS Law Enforcement Efforts

On February 3, 2004, the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security of the House Committee on the Judiciary conducted an Oversight Hearing on Law Enforcement Efforts within the Department of Homeland Security. Chairman Howard Coble (R-NC) stated that the purpose of the hearing was to examine how the transfer of law enforcement agencies to the new Department has affected the non-terrorism missions of those agencies. Mr. W. Ralph Basham, Director, U.S. Secret Service, testified about how the agency’s traditional missions have merged with the new anti-terrorism mission. Admiral Thomas H. Collins, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, testified that the Coast Guard has always been a multi-mission organization and is adept at balancing competing priorities and creating synergies.

03 Mar 2004

USCG, FBI Investigate Terror, Marine Credential Link

The U.S. completed a 14-month investigation into national security threats and document fraud associated with U.S. merchant mariner credentials. The investigation, known as Operation Drydock, revealed nine individuals that held credentials have suspected associations with terrorist groups. "Through extensive and detailed investigative efforts, we have reduced vulnerabilities to terrorism by preventing the fraudulent use of credentials by those who seek to harm our nation and its citizens," said Admiral Thomas H. Collins, Commandant of the Coast Guard. "This is a great example of interagency cooperation in the war on terror," he said.

05 Mar 2004

First 123-ft Deepwater System Cutter Delivered

During a celebration to commemorate the delivery of the first Deepwater surface asset under the Integrated Deepwater System, the Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thomas H. Collins accepted delivery of the vessel and returned the CG Ensign to the USCG Cutter Matagorda today, Friday, March 5, 2004, at Bollinger Shipyards, in Lockport, La. The ceremony celebrated the delivery, which officially occurred on Monday, March 1, of the first newly completed 123-ft. patrol boat, USCGC Matagorda, manufactured by HBJV, a joint venture of Bollinger Shipyards LLC and VT Halter Marine, Inc of Gulfport, Miss.

06 Apr 2004

News: Vessels

On March 30, 2004, the parbuckling of MV Rocknes in Agotnes, Norway, was completed by SMIT Salvage. After two months of preparations, a two-day-long unique operation ensued as the vessel was pulled upright from its upside-down position. The salvors used the Dive Support/Salvage Vessel SMIT Orca, two immersion and salvage pontoons mounted on a semi-submersible flattop barge which together supported the pulling winches, and a supporting barge. On March 28, after pulling the vessel into this 130-degree gradient, salvors pumped water out and air into the vessel in order for it to reach its original draft depth. A team then proceeded with the conservation of onboard instruments and machinery, while the salvors sprayed parts of the vessel with anti-corrosion material. The Rocknes is a 544.6 ft.

15 Apr 2004

USCG to Start International Port Security Visits

The U.S. world. this summer and fall. on overseas trade," said Adm. Thomas H. Collins, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. 2002 that will enter into full force on July 1. nations. programs are developed and executed in harmony. assistance to the traveling team. international code. and plans required under the international code. other countries. be delayed when attempting to enter a U.S. enforcement actions. * Denying entry into U.S. compliance. procedures for implementing the international code. secure global shipping community, including U.S. Protection's (CBP) Container Security Initiative (CSI). CSI and this new Coast Guard program will complement each other. containers that could present a potential risk for terrorism. States. CBP officers observe these inspections. CSI containers.

08 Jun 2004

Editor’s Note

While I do not entirely agree with the quote from Mr. Riklis, it is interesting to note the continuing trend of consolidation and corporate ownership in the maritime industry. Whether the discussion is on military or commerial ventures, the notion that fewer, larger entities are inherently more efficient and cost effective — a notion with as many detractors as supporters — has generally been embraced, as the globalization of business becomes the norm rather than the exception. There remain many strong and efficient medium- and small-sized companies that expertly fill their customer needs far and wide. Simply put, however, increasing levels of regulation are placing prohibitive financial barriers on all…

08 Jun 2004

Storm Warnings Raised over Readiness Concerns

By Capt. Gordon I. This June's two-year anniversary of the Coast Guard's award of contract for the Integrated Deepwater System reflects steady progress in efforts to modernize the nation's maritime guardians, but heightened concerns over falling readiness have led some congressional lawmakers to renew calls to accelerate the comprehensive 20-plus-year recapitalization program. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thomas H. Collins described his concern over current readiness trends in early March during congressional testimony on the Bush administration's proposed fiscal year 2005 budget. "Our greatest threat to mission performance continues to be that our aircraft…

08 Jun 2004

Balancing Security, Safety and Commerce

By Thomas H. Collins, Admiral, U.S. By any measure, 2003 was a turning point in the 213-year history of the U.S. Coast Guard. Beginning with the introduction of a new Maritime Strategy for Homeland Security early in the new year and continuing with its realignment under the Department of Homeland Security in March as part of the largest reorganization of the federal government since the post-World War II era, the scope and scale of the Coast Guard's maritime, multi-mission, and military operations during the past year were nothing short of extraordinary. Coast Guard men and women rose to the challenge, bolstered by the largest mobilization of reservists in our history. Collectively, they fought the Global War on Terrorism at home as well as overseas.

09 Jul 2004

USCG Summarizes ISPS/MTSA: “Week 1”

The U.S. Coast Guard successfully completed its first week enforcing new international and domestic maritime security requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code and the Maritime Transportation Security Act. “The men and women of the Coast Guard have been very busy enforcing these security requirements since the deadline, but our efforts to ensure compliance were successful because we began this task well before July 1,” said Adm. Thomas H. Collins, commandant of the Coast Guard. From July 1 through July 6 (the most current data which is available), foreign vessels made approximately 1,600 port calls on U.S. ports. On average, over 260 vessels called each day.

14 Jul 2004

Adm. Hull to Retire

A change of command and retirement ceremony is scheduled for the Coast Guard Atlantic Area commander Friday at 10 a.m. at Nauticus, the National Maritime Center, in Norfolk, Va. Coast Guard Commandant Thomas H. Collins will preside over the ceremony where Vice Adm. Vivien S. Crea, will assume responsibilities from Vice Adm. James D. Hull as the Coast Guard Atlantic Area commander. Hull, the Atlantic Area commander for the past two years, will retire following the change of command after 39 years of service. Hull was commissioned an Ensign at the Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., in 1969. Between 1969 and 1971, Hull was aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Rush in Vietnam. During combat, crewmembers from the Rush sank two enemy trawlers and prevented a U.S. Army unit from being over-run.

07 Feb 2002

President Nominates Collins as Commandant of USCG

President Bush today nominated Vice Admiral Thomas H. Collins, 55, to be the 22nd Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, the Coast Guard’s Service Secretary, praised the President’s nomination, saying, “Admiral Collins reflects the best leadership traits of the dedicated men and women of the United States Coast Guard. He is the right person to lead the modern Coast Guard through today’s challenges to tomorrow’s promise of a safer, more secure American coastline and maritime transportation system. “Tom Collins brings a combination of scholarly intelligence, practical experience at sea, and Washington policy expertise to the critical job of commandant at a time when the Coast Guard is facing a host of new missions,” Secretary Mineta said.

14 Jun 2002

Seattle-based Maritime Security Team First in Nation

The first U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) will be based in Seattle and commissioned on July 3, 2002, at the Integrated Support Command, located at Pier 36, Seattle, Wash. Coast Guard Commandant, Adm. Thomas H. Collins; Pacific Area Commander, Vice Adm. Terry M. Cross; and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) will be attending the commissioning. Sen. Murray, who was instrumental in bringing an MSST to the Puget Sound, will be the keynote speaker. MSSTs are domestic mobile units that possess specialized training and capabilities to perform a broad spectrum of port safety and security operations. They are modeled after the Coast Guard’s Port Security Units (PSUs) and Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDETs).

17 Jun 2002

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mineta To Announce Grants

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta will announce $92.3 million in grants to 77 seaports to enhance the security of the maritime transportation system. The Secretary will be joined in making the announcement today by Congressman Bill Young (FL), U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thomas H. Collins, U.S. Maritime Administrator William Schubert, Rear Admiral Richard E. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Joseph J. Seymour, Executive Director, and Charles A. Authority of New York and New Jersey. The announcement will take place at 2:00, p.m., at Battery Park in New York. Congress provided funding for the grant program to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation Security Administration, which is responsible for security in all modes of transportation.

25 Jun 2002

USCG Launches $11B Plan To Upgrade Fleet

U. S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Michael P. Jackson, joined by U. S. Coast Guard Commandant Thomas H. Collins, today announced the award of a landmark contract valued at $11.04 billion for a fleet of new ships and aircraft, plus improved command and control systems, to meet the service’s homeland security and other mission needs. In addition, the contract includes $5.91 billion for operating, maintenance, and sustainment costs for a value of $16.95 billion. The contract was awarded to Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS), a joint venture established by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. “The Deepwater Program will ensure that the Coast Guard continues to guarantee the nation’s maritime security,” said Deputy Secretary Jackson.

09 Jul 2002

Historic $17 Billion Order Placed

The marine industry, which traditionally hits a lull during the summer months, has been boiling over with new projects and business prospects, mainly centered on the business of keeping U.S. shores secure from further terrorist incursion. The Coast Guard Deepwater project, which was well in the works years before the date September 11 came to signify much of anything, after five years of planning has finally come to fruition in the form of a nearly 30-year, $17 billion plan to essentially re-shape the U.S. Coast Guard. Yet even upon the awarding of the historic contract, there were rumblings from inside Washington, D.C., from Congressional powers.

01 Aug 2002

USCG Awards Record $17B Deal

The marine industry, which traditionally hits a lull during the summer months, has been boiling over with new projects and business prospects, mainly centered on the business of keeping U.S. shores secure from further terrorist incursion. The Coast Guard Deepwater project, which was well in the works years before the date September 11 came to signify much of anything, after five years of planning has finally come to fruition in the form of a nearly 30-year, $17 billion plan to essentially re-shape the U.S. Coast Guard. Yet even upon the awarding of the historic contract, there were rumblings from inside Washington, D.C., from Congressional powers.

01 Aug 2002

Coast Guard, Marine Corps Expand Strength, Ties

The Coast Guard commandant, the commandant of the Marine Corps and a North Carolina congressman will be honored guests at a building dedication Friday at the Coast Guard Port Security Unit Training Detachment (PSU TRADET) located at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. Adm. Thomas H. Collins, Gen. James Jones and Congressman Howard Coble will be on hand to formally dedicate a new building the Marine Corps has leased to PSU TRADET. The building will provide more office space for PSU TRADET personnel along with more classrooms to be used for instruction in the several courses offered at PSU TRADET. PSU TRADET was established in October 1997 to train and standardize Coast Guard port security units for overseas deployment. Recently, PSU TRADET has taken on numerous other responsibilities.

04 Jan 2005

USCG Awards $144M Deepwater Contract

The U.S. Coast Guard awarded a contract totaling $144 million to Integrated Coast Guard Systems for production and deployment of the Coast Guard’s second Maritime Security Cutter Large. The WMSL is the largest of three new cutter classes -- and the first under construction -- within the Coast Guard’s Integrated Deepwater System acquisition program. The Deepwater program will improve the Coast Guard’s counter terrorism, maritime homeland security and overall mission performance capabilities. “The Deepwater program is vital to transforming the Coast Guard and ensuring the delivery of required capabilities needed for the performance of homeland security and other missions,” said Adm. Thomas H. Collins, commandant of the Coast Guard.

10 Jan 2005

DHS Names Maritime Security Advisory Committee Members

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security today announced the appointment of the following individuals to serve on the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee. "On behalf of Secretary Ridge, I am delighted to welcome these advisors to our team," said Admiral Thomas H. Collins, commandant of the Coast Guard. The advisory committee has been established to provide advice to the Department of Homeland Security via the U.S. Coast Guard on matters such as national maritime security strategy and policy, actions required to meet current and future security threats, international cooperation on security issues, and security concerns of the maritime transportation industry as mandated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. Joseph H. Thomas E. John C.

09 Feb 2005

USCG Deepwater: Centerpiece of Coast Guard Transformation

By Gordon I. Throughout the Cold War, the need to maintain strong military forces to deter war with the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact was a mainstay of U.S. national security policy. During today's global war on terrorism, similar linkages exist between a more capable U.S. Coast Guard, improved homeland security, and the deterrence or defeat of a terrorist attack in the maritime domain. The 9/11 Commission Report clearly describes this nexus. "Our report shows that the terrorists analyze defenses," the Commission wrote. "They plan accordingly. Defenses cannot achieve perfect safety. They make targets harder to attack successfully, and they deter attacks by making capture more likely.

17 Feb 2005

Security Tops Agenda USCG Commandant Visits IMO

IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Thomas H. discussions at IMO headquarters in London. and will continue to do in the enhancement of maritime security. the individuals. terrorism. and in particular the 9/11 atrocities in the United States. facilities, which in total number in excess of 9,600 worldwide. activities to enhance maritime security. commitment to this key objective. protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, later this year. and armed robbery against ships. safety and formal safety assessment. industry as shipping. Organization during his first year as Secretary-General.