Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen to Close NMDay 2014

Acting Maritime Administrator, Paul “Chip” Jaenichen will close the “Safety at Sea” Seminar being hosted by North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) at the National Press Club from 2:30-6:00pm. NAMEPA’s seminar will join industry and governmental leaders as they discuss issues of the day surrounding Safety at Sea.

The seminar is designed to highlight both best practices and opportunities for improvement. Immediately following the “Safety at Sea” seminar is the AMVER Awards Dinner where over 150 companies will be recognized for their participation in the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) system. AMVER is a USCG managed search and rescue program in which merchant ships make themselves available for maritime emergency response on a volunteer basis. The Awards dinner will begin at 6:00pm at the National Press Club.

NAMEPA’s “Safety at Sea” seminar features topics such as areas of interest and concern for the USCG, mitigating safety risks for shipowners, improving cruise line safety, safety and the law, marine planning, insuring safety risks, the changing face of piracy, seafarer welfare report card, and concluding with the Acting Maritime Administrator, Paul “Chip” Jaenichen, who will discuss ensuring maritime safety in an ever-changing world.

Paul “Chip” Jaenichen was appointed by President Obama and sworn in as Deputy Maritime Administrator on 20 July 2012.  He was named Acting Maritime Administrator on 4 June 2013 and was nominated by President Obama to be the next Maritime Administrator on 11 September 2013.

"The maritime industry continues to examine and improve its safety practices," stated NAMEPA Chairman Clay Maitland. "Our seminar brings together experts in this area so we, as an industry, can continue our responsible stewardship of life, the environment, and property."

Industry experts include Captain Jonathan Burton of the USCG, Captain Rob Lorigan of OSG Ship Management, Inc., Richard Pruitt of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Jon Waldron of Blank Rome LLC, Dr. Sandra Whitehouse of Ocean Conservancy, Joseph Hughes of Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc., Kevin Doherty of Nexus Consulting Group, Rev. Phillip Vandercook of North America Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA), and Paul “Chip” Jaenichen of MARAD. The seminar will be opened by Clay Maitland, Founding
Chairman of NAMEPA.

Each year, on May 22, the country celebrates National Maritime Day, reflecting the gratitude for the maritime industry and the benefits it brings to the country.  NAMEPA’s seminar and AMVER Awards Dinner sponsors are: American Bureau of Shipping, American Salvage Association, Blank Rome Maritime LLC, Chamber of Shipping of America, Clay Maitland, DNV GL, Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation and Sea Research Foundation.

For more information about the “Safety at Sea” Seminar and the AMVER Awards Dinner please visit:
www.namepa.net/upcoming-events