New Officers News

Philly Shipyard on Friday held a keel laying ceremony for the fifth and final vessel in a series of new purpose built, state-of-the-art training ships for America’s state maritime academies.The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) new vessel program – known as National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs) – was designed to provide world-class training for America’s future mariners and to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions…

DARPA’s NOMARS program aims to revolutionize naval operations by designing a ship that can operate autonomously for extended periods at sea without an onboard crew.One project at the forefront of maritime innovation is the development of a vessel called “Defiant,” a project of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The Defiant is referred to as a NOMARS vessel – “No Manning Required Ship.”The project’s been underway at least since January 2020, when DARPA held a “proposers day…

Philly Shipyard this week held a keel laying ceremony for the fourth of five new purpose built, state-of-the-art training vessels for America’s state maritime academies.The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) new vessel program – known as National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs) – was designed to provide world-class training for America’s future mariners and to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in times of need.

Philly Shipyard has received an order from the U.S.-based ship management company TOTE Services for the construction of one additional National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV), following the authorization by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD).This marks the fifth and final NSMV in the training ship series. The modern vessel will replace the aging training vessel at California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo, California.Construction of the new vessel (NSMV 5) is expected to start in 2023.

Philly Shipyard on Friday hosted a keel laying ceremony for the first of up to five new purpose built, state-of-the-art training vessels for America’s state maritime academies.The new vessels—known as National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV)—will be owned and operated by U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) and are designed to provide training for America’s future mariners and to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in times of need.

Last May, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (CGA) announced that 240 new officers made up its 140th graduating class.The Academy’s announcement referenced additional, important highlights. Women made up 34% of the Class of 2021, and 34% of the graduates were from underrepresented minority groups. Even more focused was the statement that 22 African Americans “walked the stage,” the largest number in Academy history, and 2021 included the second highest number of Asian American and Pacific Islanders.To make the ceremony even more memorable, President Biden delivered the keynote address.

The National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP) has announced the election of new officers to its Executive Control Board (ECB).Tom Perrine, Vice President of Engineering at Austal USA in Mobile, Ala. has been elected as ECB Chair for a two-year term, effective May 2021. Perrine earned his undergraduate degree in Naval Architecture from the University of Michigan and is a licensed professional engineer. He succeeds Don Hamadyk, Director of Program Development and Integration at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division in Newport News…

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduated 240 new officers along with seven international students with keynote speaker President Joseph R, Biden Jr. in attendance, Wednesday.The Class of 2021 consists of 34% women and 34% from underrepresented minority groups. The class includes 22 African Americans who walked the stage, which marks the largest number of African American graduates to do so in Academy history. This year also marked the second highest number of Asian American and Pacific Islanders in a single graduating class.Next month…

For professional maritime training, the 2020 holiday season was bright indeed. In a world clutching for optimism, officials from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) made a series of announcements that will strengthen, expand and intensify America’s maritime academic programs—really the maritime industry—for at least the next decade, likely much longer. Consider this string of news:On December 15, MARAD announced cutting steel for the first new National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) at Philly Shipyard Inc.…

Philly Shipyard held a steel cutting ceremony for the new National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV), the first of five planned purpose-built, state-of-the-art training vessel for America’s state maritime academies, marking a key milestone in one of the U.S.' most significant shipbuilding programs.“This new state-of-the-art modern school training ship will be a tremendous addition to the U. S. Flag fleet, be available to respond to disaster relief efforts, and support about 1,200 jobs in Philly Shipyard,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, navies adjusted how they operate at home and while deployed, to keep their forces ready for any missions as they keep their Sailors, families, communities, as well as allies and partners safe from the coronavirus.Navies have taken a number of prudent preventative measures to limit outbreaks, mitigate cases of infection and reduce the community spread of the virus.Speaking during his May 29 “On The Horizon: Navigating the European and African Theaters” podcast, Admiral James G. Foggo III, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, said The U.S.

The National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP) has announced the election of new officers to its Executive Control Board (ECB).Don Hamadyk, Director, Research and Development at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division in Newport News, VA, has been elected as ECB chairman for a two-year term. Don earned his undergraduate and Master’s degrees from Stevens Institute of Technology.Don succeeds Tim Glinatsis, Vice President, Engineering at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, ME.

Niels-Erik Lund began his passenger ship career in 1969 as a trainee in a Danish passenger shipping company, DFDS. In the nearly 50 years since, the passenger and cruise shipping industry has changed many times over, with consistent growth being the only similarity between then an now. Today Lund, President & CEO of Sunstone Ships, Inc., has an unfettered view of the expedition cruise sector that he helped to create. With the expedition and luxury cruise segments set for fast growth, Maritime Reporter spoke to Lund to help put the market in better perspective.

Australia’s new multirole aviation training vessel MV Sycamore has recently arrived in Sydney. Designed to support Defence helicopter training, having been launched in Vietnam in August 2016, built by Skelder and overseen by Serco Defence, the 94-metre ship is a flight deck equipped sea-going training vessel for the crews of most types of helicopters used by the Australian Defence Force. Captain Al Whittaker said building of the Damen-designed steel ship began in 2015. “Sycamore has completed its harbour acceptance testing, systems factory acceptance testing and the shipyard acceptance tests,” he said. The ship arrived in Sydney on June 26, where her flag state was changed to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s red ensign.

Nine officers from HMAS Sirius have attended a three-day course at Port Ash Ship Handling Training and Research Centre recently to improve their mariner skills. The centre, which is two hours north of Sydney, uses model ships on a man-made lake to teach ship control at low speeds in open, confined and shallow waters, with and without tug assistance. The manned model ships behave just like full-size ships, experiencing squat, interaction, and shallow water and bank effects in the same manner. Planned manoeuvring, natural wind and artificially generated currents allow students to experience all the effects of ship handling in a controlled and safe environment.

Twenty weeks since walking through the gates of HMAS Creswell to start initial training, 104 naval officers graduated today. Friends and family were on hand to share in the achievements of the 82 men and 22 women. Honouring a long-standing commitment to the New Entry Officers, the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, AC, reviewed the parade, hosted by Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, AO, CSC, RAN. “While we celebrate the achievements of the officers on parade today, our thoughts are also with the family and friends of a sailor who died during a port visit in the Middle East region,” Air Chief Marshal Binskin said. Students on the New Entry Officers Course 54 were introduced to the history and ethos of the Royal Australian Navy in the 20 week course.

The American Salvage Association (ASA) has elected a new slate of officers at its fall meeting on September 21 in Stamford, Conn. Todd Schauer, Resolve Marine Group was elected President, succeeding Paul Hankins, Donjon Marine Co., Inc., who served as President from 2013-2015. Jim Elliott, T&T Marine Salvage, Inc., was elected Vice President, and David DeVilbiss, Global Diving & Salvage, Inc., was named Secretary/Treasurer. In addition, James Calhoun (T&T Salvage, Inc.), Samina Mahmood (Ardent)…

NOAA Capt. Anne K. Lynch has assumed command of the agency's Marine Operations Center-Atlantic in Norfolk, Va., which manages the day-to-day operations of the nine research and survey ships in NOAA's Atlantic fleet. Each year these ships conduct dozens of missions to assess fish and marine mammal stocks, conduct coral reef research, collect seafloor data to update nautical charts, and explore the ocean. Lynch relieves NOAA Corps officer Anita Lopez, who has served as the center's commanding officer since June 2012.

Oct. 13-17 conference to feature keynote addresses from USDOT’s Deputy Secretary, Canada’s U.S. Ambassador and Disney Cruise Line’s President. For the first time in its 60-year history, the Canaveral Port Authority will serve as host of the American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) annual convention, which takes place Oct. 13-17. And, for the first time in AAPA’s 102-year history, the business meetings for its international conference will be split between two locations: Port Canaveral, Fla.—one of the world’s busiest cruise ports with growing cargo; and Orlando, Fla.—one of the busiest American cities for conferences and conventions.

With more than 1,500 young men and women graduating from the seven U.S. maritime academies this year, employment opportunities for the class of 2012 remain plentiful, according to the American Maritime Partnership. “We congratulate the maritime academy graduates for passing the extensive U.S. Coast Guard exam and pursuing a career that will help grow the U.S. economy and keep our country strong and safe,” said James Henry, President of the Transportation Institute, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Maritime Partnership.

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and former Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, will join Coast Guard senior leaders and the President of Morgan State University, Dr. David Wilson, on Tuesday, November 1st, aboard the newly delivered Coast Guard National Security Cutter STRATTON to sign a partnership agreement that will provide new academic opportunities to Morgan State University’s students and faculty…

Waterways Council, Inc. At its Annual Meeting on October 19 in Pittsburgh, the Board of Directors of Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) elected the following new officers for 2011-2013: Chairman, Matt Woodruff, (Director, Government Affairs, Kirby Corporation); Vice Chairman, Steve Little, (President, Crounse Corporation); General Counsel, Dan Mecklenborg, (Senior Vice President, HR & Chief Legal Officer, Ingram Barge Company); Immediate Past Chairman, Rick Calhoun, (President, Cargo Carriers). All other officers were re-elected to their current positions.

Michael Hennessey Named Chairman. Michael W. Hennessey, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Brownsville Marine Products, was elected Chairman. He succeeds Craig E. Philip, President and CEO, Ingram Barge Company, who remains on the Foundation as Immediate Past-Chairman. Michael Toohey, President and CEO, Waterways Council, Inc., was named Secretary. Joseph H. Pyne, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kirby Corporation, was re-elected as Treasurer of the Foundation. “I look forward to working with our esteemed officers and trustees this year, as the Foundation considers undertaking a number of industry studies and activities that will better allow the waterways industry to tell its story through facts and data,” said Chairman Hennessey.