Herberger News

Adm. Philip S. Davidson, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), became the Navy’s newest “Old Salt” during an award presentation Oct. 22 at the Pentagon.The “Old Salt” award is given to the active duty officer who has held the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) qualification for the longest amount of time."It is a tremendous honor to receive this award. I have been fortunate to be part of this organization for more than 35 years, serving alongside a number of amazing men and women.

The “Old Salt” designation, honoring the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) serving on active duty with the earliest Surface Warfare Qualification, passed from Adm. Sam Locklear to Vice Adm. Kurt Tidd at a June 22, 2015 ceremony at Washington, DC. Locklear, the recent Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, retired on June 30, 2015. Tidd is currently the Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff. Locklear has been the “Old Salt” since May 2014. “In the Navy, we have an expression for a respected, experienced and knowledgeable mariner. We call them ‘Old Salts,’” said Vice Adm.

Former Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School Instructor passes away at the age of 81. It is with great sadness that the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (M.E.B.A.) announces the death of long-time friend and colleague, Thomas “Tom” Francis Cannon. Cannon passed away peacefully on January 7, 2012 in Salerno, Italy. He was 81 years old. “Tom was an engineer’s engineer. He excelled at everything he put his mind to, and inspired those around him to achieve their best,” said M.E.B.A. President Mike Jewell. “He was an excellent engineer, a motivating teacher, and a personal friend.

The U.S. Maritime Coalition has announced that this year’s Congressional “Sail-In” will take place on Capitol Hill on May 4, 2011. The Sail-In will look to build on the success of last year’s inaugural event which was widely supported by the American maritime industry including international and domestic ocean carriers, terminal operators and labor unions. “We had folks from 20 states, 48 congressional districts, 28 companies, 9 unions and labor organizations, and 10 related associations,” reported VADM Albert J. Herberger, a former U.S. Maritime Administrator and head of the volunteer organizing group. “That’s a powerful message to Congress,” he added.

The International Propeller Club of the United States named James L. Henry the Maritime Person of the Year at its international convention last week in Tampa, Fla. Henry is Chairman and President of the Transportation Institute, a leading maritime industry association. Henry is also a founding Board Member of the Maritime Cabotage Task Force, the largest coalition ever to promote America’s Jones Act fleet. The award, which the Club awards annually, recognizes the awardee’s contributions to the commercial maritime industry in the United States and internationally.

Unless things change dramatically, I am writing as the last Deputy Administrator of the Maritime Administration (MarAd). At least the MarAd we have known, sometimes loved, but always needed for the last 50 years. As I look at the Administration's budget proposals to transfer management of the Maritime Security Program (MSP) to the Department of Defense (DOD) and eliminate funding for the Title XI shipbuilding loan guarantee program, I cannot help but conclude that MarAd's days are numbered as a freestanding federal agency. This is not simply melodramatic doom saying from a former bureaucrat whose first credo in life is perpetuation of the species (or in this case the agency).