William D Baumgartner News

Owners, of the giant 'Allure of the Seas', Royal Caribbean International say that a mechanical issue obligates performance of unscheduled repairs to their cruise ship 'Allure of the Seas', and the repairs will take place at Grand Bahama Shipyard, in Freeport, Bahamas, the week of February 24, 2014. As a result of coming out of service RCI say it will be necessary to cancel the February 23, 2014, sailing of Allure of the Seas, explaining that the giant cruise ship has been experiencing unanticipated bearing wear in one of its three propulsion motors.

Cruise line, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) has appointed Rear Admiral William D. Baumgartner, U.S. Coast Guard, Retired, as the cruise line’s Senior Vice President of Marine Operations. In his new role, RADM Baumgartner will oversee the global cruise brand’s fleet and their nautical, technical and maintenance operations. “We take our work so seriously here, and there is such commitment throughout our entire organization to give our guests the safest, happiest and smoothest vacation experiences we can…

Miami Man Convicted for Obstruction of Justice and False Statements for Certifying Ships Safe for Sea. A federal jury in Miami yesterday convicted a Miami-based ship surveyor for lying to the Coast Guard and for falsely certifying the safety of ships at sea, announced Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division at the Department of Justice; Wifredo A. Ferrer, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Rear Admiral William D. Baumgartner, Commander, 7th Coast Guard District; and Jonathan Sall, Special Agent in Charge, U.S.

The 154-foot Coast Guard Cutter Webber is a Fast Response Cutter and will be able to deploy independently to conduct missions such as ports, waterways, and coastal security, fishery patrols, drug and illegal migrant law enforcement, search and rescue, and national defense operations along the Gulf of Mexico and throughout the Caribbean. The Webber is capable of speeds of 28-plus knots, armed with one stabilized, remotely operated 25mm chain gun and four crew-served .50 caliber machine guns, and crew capabilities to hold 24 people.

Miami River Compnay Sen tenced to Five Years Probation and $1,000,000 Fine for Oil Pollution and Ballast Water Crimes. Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Rear Admiral William D. Baumgartner, Commander, 7th Coast Guard District, and John Sall, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, announced the sentencing of defendant Americas Marine Management Services, Inc., d/b/a Antillean Marine, a Florida corporation, for oil pollution and ballast water crimes.

Puerto Rican-based Shipping Company Sentenced to Pay $700,000 Penalty for Intentional Cover-Up of Oil Pollution. WASHINGTON – Epps Shipping Company, a Liberian corporation doing business out of Carolina, Puerto Rico, was sentenced in federal court for violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) and making false statements to U.S. Coast Guard inspectors, announced Assistant Attorney General Ignacia S. Moreno and United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodriguez-Velez. The company was sentenced to pay a $700,000 criminal penalty to include a $100,000 payment towards community service projects to rehabilitate and protect coral reefs in Guanica Bay, Puerto Rico.

The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced that its 17th Annual Tribute to the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Seventh District will take place on Monday, November 1, 2010. The event will honor the work of the men and women of the Coast Guard’s Seventh District who deployed to Haiti and aided in the relief efforts associated with the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit the country in January of this year. In addition to honoring these individuals and celebrating the service of all our guardians who enforce maritime law…

The U.S. Coast Guard announced on May 18 the publication of an updated and revised Model Maritime Service Code designed to assist countries seeking guidance in developing effective maritime forces with corresponding authorities. The Model Maritime Service Code, primarily based on some of the laws and directives of the United States Coast Guard, provides a structure that endeavors to ensure the economy of forces and unity of effort necessary to address the spectrum of issues a maritime country may face. The code provides the legal framework to address emerging maritime safety and security concerns, including the protection of mariner rights and the effective flow of global commerce, pollution prevention, protection of living marine resources and preservation of the marine environment.

On Feb. 4, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, will convene the Subcommittee to gather information on the causes and extent of piracy and to understand its effect on international shipping. Although no U.S.-flagged vessels have been attacked or seized by pirates, the expansion of international piracy—particularly in the Horn of Africa region—threatens to raise the costs of transporting goods through a highly traveled region at a time of significant distress in the world economy. WHO: Congressman Elijah E. Independence Ave. at S. Washington, D.C. Rear Admiral William D. U.S. Mr. U.S. Mr. Captain Phil M. Mr. Mr.

The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure conducted a Hearing on Coast Guard authorizing legislation. This hearing was with regard to the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2006. Committee Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) indicated that the bill would, among other things, authorize nearly $8.3 billion in funding for the Coast Guard in fiscal year 2007. Rear Admiral William D. Baumgartner, Chief Counsel and Judge Advocate General, US Coast Guard, testified concerning provisions in the bill of particular interest, including merchant mariner credentials and tonnage measurement. Myron H. Nordquist, Center for Oceans Law and Policy, testified in favor of proposed amendments to the penalty wage statutes. Douglas B.