Personnel Management News

This article examines 10 structural safeguards in Coast Guard Suspension and Revocation (S&R) Proceedings that ensure Coast Guard Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) decisional independence. These safeguards separate potential agency influences from the ALJ decision making process and are critical to mariner due process and fundamental fairness. We will start with an overview of Coast Guard S&R proceedings, followed by brief discussions of the Administrative Procedure Act, Administrative Law Judges, and U.S. Office of Personnel Management oversight.

Louisiana-based boat builder Metal Shark announced it has expanded its executive team with a newly recruited appointment from the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense Naval Surface Warfare Center – Carderock (NSWC). Jason Marshall joins Metal Shark as Executive Vice President – Programs, following a 30 year career with NSWC’s Combatant Craft Division (CCD).Marshall most recently served as CCD’s In-Service Systems Engineering Branch Head (2019-2023), managing the team of project managers and systems engineers responsible for the Navy’s sustainment combatant craft…

U.S. offshore energy support vessel company Atlantic Wind Transfers (AWT) has chosen CrewSmart's management system to ensure compliance and set the benchmark for fleet and personnel management efficiency in the growing U.S. offshore wind market.According to CrewSmart, its digitally-optimized management software will allow AWT to streamline its reporting and analysis across its fleet for both crew and shoreside personnel, while unlocking efficiency improvements through instant access to organized data.

How many times have you heard someone say, “Oh, that person is a born leader; I could never do what they do as I am not a born leader”? That train of thought has recently come under increased scrutiny and debate as the U.S. Merchant Marine enters the 21st century. As part of this focus, the International Maritime Association (IMO) updated the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) with the 2010 Manilla Amendments.

Inspecting fuel and ballast tanks. Sand-blasting old paint coatings and applying new ones. Removing corrosion on ships, submarines, aircraft and other vehicles.These are some of the unpleasant jobs in naval shipyards and maintenance facilities that could be made safer by pairing human workers with robots. Experts say this could improve the speed and efficiency with which the U.S. Navy sustains its assets—and expand the career paths of current workers (and create new jobs) by teaching them to operate…

Helm Operations and the ACTion group of Channelview, TX have signed a new partnership agreement to help inland marine companies address the challenges of SubM and implement new software to reduce the costs of compliance. As part of the agreement, the ACTion group will begin offering safety management services via Helm CONNECT and provide consulting and training to companies moving to the industry standard platform.Based in Channelview, the ACTion group is one of the inland marine industry’s leading safety management and certification companies. Since its founding in 1999 by Capt. David A.

Houma, La.-based towing operator becomes first company to roll out new Helm Operations software for crew management.Marine software company Helm Operations announced that Dupre Marine Transportation is the first company to go live with its newly-launched Helm CONNECT Personnel software for crew management and payroll. Dupre Marine is just one of several marine companies which have signed on for the new product since its launch in mid-June.Helm CONNECT Personnel is the latest addition to the Helm CONNECT platform…

Foss Maritime will centralize fleet management and operations with Helm CONNECT. The announcement comes as Foss progresses to better organize and streamline operations across core business units and wholly-owned subsidiaries along the U.S. West Coast, and in Hawaii and Alaska.As part of the agreement with Helm Operations, Foss will centralize its vessel dispatching, billing, maintenance, compliance and personnel management in the Helm CONNECT software platform.“At Foss, we’re constantly looking at new ways to improve our business.

The call of 'last line!' meant a little more than normal as HMAS Darwin slipped from the wharf at Fleet Base West and set sail for Sydney recently. It signalled the end of the warship's long association with the west coast of Australia, unlikely to return before she decommissions at the end of the year. The Adelaide class frigate called Western Australia home for almost 13 years from 18 December 1993, before being relocated to Fleet Base East on 21 April 2006. Darwin's Maritime Logistics Officer, Lieutenant Commander Chris Duke, served aboard the warship during the change of home port and the final visit to Fleet Base West. "This is the third time I have been posted to Darwin. In 1993 I was an Able Seaman Writer, conducting personnel management and administration functions," he said.

Trojan Battery Co., LLC, the world’s leading manufacturer of deep-cycle batteries, has named Phillip Taylor as senior vice president, and chief human resources (HR) officer to lead the company’s global workforce of more than 1,000 employees. Taylor brings over 30 years of experience to this position, which includes his most recent tenure at legendary toy maker Mattel, Inc. Battery. Taylor is responsible for the development of corporate HR strategies for Trojan’s worldwide operations in the areas of recruitment, compensation, benefits, performance management and organizational development for the company. While at Mattel, Taylor served as senior vice president of HR for the commercial and corporate divisions.

Brian Salerno was sworn in as the Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) on August 26, 2013. He is responsible for promoting safety, protecting the environment and conserving resources through the vigorous regulatory oversight and enforcement of offshore operations on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. Prior to his appointment as Bureau Director, Salerno served as the U.S. Coast Guard’s Deputy Commandant for Operations where he was responsible for establishing and providing operational strategy…

Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. During the weeks of July 18-21, and August 1-4, Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. partnered with SUNY Maritime College and privately hosted the required USCG Leadership & Managerial Skills Course at Bouchard’s corporate headquarters in Melville, N.Y. for all Bouchard tug captains and chief engineers. Bouchard is the first operator to privately host this class for their vessel employees. Effective March 24, 2014, additional training and/or assessments became required for certain Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) endorsements.

Thomas Dantin Joins Baker Lyman as Chief Consultant for Towing Safety Management Systems. Baker Lyman has announced the association of chief consultant Thomas Dantin, well-versed in the towing and maritime industry. “Thomas has spent 40 years in the maritime industry and brings his wealth of knowledge to us,” said Corinne Titus, CEO of Baker, Lyman and Co., Inc. Dantin holds a BA from Nichols State University in Thibodaux, LA; a USCG 500 Ton Master of Steam or Motor Vessels on Oceans; is a certified ISM auditor and is experienced at designing Safety Management Systems for the towing industry. He is a commercial pilot for single engine land and sea, multi engine land airplanes, instrument rated and a certified flight instructor.

MarineCFO Offers Vessel365 & Homeport365. Industry technology services provider, MarineCFO, has announced the “Sub M 90” Program commencing February 25, 2016 and terminating June 22, 2016. According to Tug & Barge Solutions, a Sub M consultant and MarineCFO partner, the Office of Management & Budget (OMB) received the Final Rule version of Sub Chapter M from United States Coast Guard on February 12, 2016. The OMB has until June 22nd to review the Sub Chapter M Final Rule prior to publication in the Federal Register. The MarineCFO “Sub M 90” Program kicked off on February 25, 2016 to support towing operators during this OMB review process. All Sub Chapter M impacted owners are eligible to advance order their onboard Vessel365 subscription through June 22, 2016 by contacting MarineCFO.

NYK was named “Nadeshiko Brand,” for the second consecutive year, following fiscal 2013, selected jointly by the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI). Nadeshiko Brand is composed of companies that encourage women’s success in the workplace, including the development of environments in which women are able to further their careers, as well as the promotion of utilizing women resources, and that are superior in their financial index. Nadeshiko Brand companies are selected from those listed on the first section of the TSE on an industry basis, and are introduced as attractive brands for investors who attach high value to mid- to long-term improvement in corporate value.

Retired Coast Guard Vice Adm. Manson Brown was appointed by President Obama and confirmed by a voice vote of the U.S. Senate to serve as assistant secretary of commerce for environmental observation and prediction and deputy administrator for NOAA. Brown joins NOAA after 36 years of service in the U.S. Coast Guard. As deputy administrator, Brown will play a major role driving the Obama administration and NOAA priorities for weather and water services, climate science, plus the agency’s integrated mapping and Earth-observing capabilities.

Safe Bulkers, Inc. an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, announced today that it has been ranked and awarded the First Place in “Marine Money's 2013 annual rankings of the Publicly Traded Shipping Companies”. The award was announced at the annually held Marine Money Conference that took place in New York City on June 17-19, 2014. Marine Money has been publishing its rankings for the past 20+ years after evaluating companies from the shipping industry worldwide. The rankings are based upon a series of financial measures and ratios. The Company's common stock, series B and series C preferred stock is listed on the NYSE, where it trades under the symbols “SB”, “SB.PR.B” and “SB.PR.C”, respectively.

Inlecom and DANAOS announced that their e-Maritime compatible collaboration platforms enabling interoperability in shipping software solutions are now available commercially as beta versions, following successful trials with eMAR partners including DNV and Port of Valencia. The platforms have been developed as a result of the EU-funded eMAR project which supports DG MOVE with a specific focus on the EU e-Maritime initiative facilitating Information Exchange for efficient, safe and environmentally friendly maritime operations.

Data collection and monitoring helps measure the impact exposure of Workboat crew and passengers. Professional powerboat users face an increased risk from injuries associated with the constant impacts they receive during their daily activities. It is not hard to imagine that constantly driving a rigid hull through a choppy sea will result in some uncomfortable moments, but much of the professional marine industry continues to pretend that there is no problem. The term ‘Professional’ is important.

Aberdeenshire-based oilfield service company Romar International has awarded the contract of the management of its offshore workforce to Frontier International, an Aberdeen based international oil and gas recruitment company. The personnel management contract, worth £650,000 in year one will require Frontier International to provide the management and logistics for up to 35 offshore operational personnel to support Romar’s North Sea and international operations. Positions include offshore supervisors and operators for the Romar swarf handling systems.

Novoship tankship 'NS Columbus' the first Sovcomflot Group vessel to receive an IMO 2006 Maritime Labour Convention certificate. The Aframax crude oil tanker NS Columbus underwent an inspection by the Maritime Authority and was declared to be in full compliance with the regulations of the convention. The document granted will be valid until 20 February, 2018. This certificate confirms that the company-operator follows best practices in the observance of sailors’ rights, the provision of proper living and working conditions, and the granting of social safeguards.

Tognum has picked up the accolade ‘Top Engineering Employer’ for the fourth time running. It also won the seal of quality ‘Top Employer in Germany’ for the third time. This year, a total of 34 companies in Germany were named the most attractive engineering employers, and a total of 118 qualified for the ‘Top Employer in Germany 2012’ category. As ‘Top Employer in Germany 2012’ and ‘Top Engineering Employer’, Tognum gained the highest grade for its attractive financial benefits such as salary and pension schemes.

Applications will be accepted from all groups of qualified U.S. Citizens. The Superintendent is the senior official responsible for providing vision, leadership, management, and direction for all United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) activities. Maintaining strong financial and operational controls that demonstrate prudent use of the resources. The Superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is responsible for overseeing the development of scholastic standards which encourage the intellectual, professional growth and physical well-being of midshipmen, and effective and economical operation of the Academy's facilities.