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Center Of Expertise News

28 Mar 2023

NOAA, Coast Guard to Collect Data from a Great Lakes Icebreaker

(Photo: NOAA)

This week, NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R) scientists worked with the U.S. Coast Guard during ice-breaking in Lake Superior Harbor in Duluth, Minnesota, aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Spar. This project is the first set of experiments funded by the newly developed Great Lakes Center of Expertise.Teams from both Coast Guard District 9 and NOAA deployed uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) with multispectral, thermal and LIDAR sensors to collect data while the Spar was breaking ice in the harbor.

03 Sep 2021

Subchapter M: Is it Time to Press Pause?

(Photo: Pat Folan)

For many, the path to Subchapter M compliance has been anything but smooth sailing. And while progress has been made through the growing pains, some feel it’s time for the U.S. Coast Guard to pump the brakes.A funny thing happened on the way to compliance. We all learned that nobody was quite ready for Subchapter M.Sure, we had gone through the law with a fine-toothed combed and had self-inspected vessels and trained crews, but we were all surprised by interpretations.Third party organizations (TPO) have done their best to set up systems and satisfy paying customers and the U.S.

07 Jan 2021

USCG Seeks Cruise Ship for Underway Examiner Training

© napa74 / Adobe Stock

The U.S. Coast Guard said it is seeking a cruise ship to host examiner training courses while underway.The contracting opportunity is for a vessel of at least 70,000 gross tons to host three Foreign Passenger Vessel Examiner  (FPVE) courses for the Coast Guard's United States Coast Guard Cruise Ship National Center of Expertise (CSNCOE). The training would be conducted in 2021 on board a cruise ship departing from either Ft. Lauderdale, Miami or Canaveral, Fla.The CSNCOE, located in Ft.

09 Oct 2020

Nielsen Named Managing Director of V.Ships Germany

Ulla Eithz Nielsen (Photo: V.Group)

Ship management company V.Group has appointed Ulla Eithz Nielsen as Managing Director for V.Ships Germany.Based in Hamburg, Nielsen joined V.Group in 2019 and previously held the role of Chief Operating Officer of Operational Excellence.Nielsen began her maritime career as a deck officer with A.P Møller and has experience in operational transformation as well as dry bulk and container vessel expertise gained with A.P Møller, Maersk Line, NORDEN and Norient Product Pool.Franck Kayser…

02 Sep 2020

Foreship Appoints Sward to Head US Operations

Benjamin Sward, CEO of Foreship LLC (Photo: Foreship)

Naval architecture and marine engineering company Foreship Ltd has appointed Benjamin Sward as President of Foreship LLC to take responsibility for the company’s U.S. activities. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Sward will also oversee Foreship’s Seattle operation.The appointment sees a return to Foreship for Sward, who served the company as a Naval Architect and Project Manager between 2015-2018 and led a variety of upgrade projects for high-profile cruise clients such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises.

09 Jul 2020

LISCR Hires Former USCG LNG Expert

Dallas Smith (Photo: LISCR)

The Liberian Registry announced Dallas Smith has been hired as the Director of LNG and Offshore Technology, and as General Manager of the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry’s (LISCR) new Houston Office.Smith brings to his new role at LISCR over 20 years of experience as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. Before his retirement last month, Smith was head of the USCG Liquefied Gas National Center of Expertise where he was responsible for executing the Coast Guard’s entire liquefied gas safety, security, and environmental compliance mission around the world.

27 Feb 2020

Adm. Schultz Delivers State of the Coast Guard Address

Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Karl Schultz delivers the State of the Coast Guard Address in Charleston. (Photo: Eric Haun)

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz outlined his vision for the service Thursday during the State of the Coast Guard Address in Charleston, highlighting the organization’s top initiatives, accomplishments over the past year, and challenges facing the service today and on the road ahead.The 26th Commandant stressed the importance of America's marine transportation system and highlighted Coast Guard's role in safeguarding maritime commerce among the service's many crucial contributions to U.S. security. “Our interconnected global economy relies on efficient ports and waterways.

02 Dec 2019

REGULATORY REVIEW: Subchapter M

Image Credit: (Captain) Pat Folan

One Year In: Industry SME (Captain) Pat Folan weighs in from the front lines.It has been an interesting year for towing industry. As the new Subchapter M towboat rule rolled out, it didn’t take long to discover that the regulation wasn’t perfect. As stakeholders look ahead to what comes next, it is also helpful to take a look back at what went right, what didn’t, and more importantly – why.The U.S. Coast GuardThe US Coast Guard does not have the manpower to add more than 5,000 vessels to its workload.

09 Aug 2019

ITOW Approved as TPO Under SubM

file Image (CREDIT: WCI)

The Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise (TVNCOE) posted on its website Aug. 5, 2019, that the Coast Guard has approved Inland Towing Operators Working Together (ITOW) as a third-party organization (TPO) to carry out certain functions in accordance with Subchapter M. A complete list of all ten Coast Guard approved TPOs can be found on the TPO webpage.

28 Sep 2018

Coast Guard, Industry Partner on LNG Inspector Training

file Image: TOTE's new LNG-fueled vessel receives (LNG) bunkers. CREDIT: TOTE

The Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Natonal Center of Expertise, industry experts provide technical training for future LNG fueled vessel inspectors.The Coast Guard’s Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise (LGC NCOE) partnered with Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville to coordinate a four-day “LNG as Fuel Workshop” Sept. 17-20, 2018, for future inspectors of LNG fueled vessels, with support from industry experts and the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Center.Together, this team of LNG as fuel specialists provided Coast Guard marine inspectors from across the U.S.

19 Sep 2018

Olmsted: Online & Open

A USACE rendering of the Olmsted lock area infrastructure (Credit: US GAO)

After more than 30 years of frustratingly slow progress, cost overruns and more than a few mistakes, Olmsted is finally poised for success. That’s something to celebrate.It is official: The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) wants Olmsted operational by October. After more than 30 years, the ribbon cutting to officially open the Olmsted Locks and Dam took place on August 30. The very old (1929) upstream locks and dams – Nos. 52 and 53, which Olmsted is replacing – will be dismantled by December 2020. Before that happens, Olmsted’s performance will be tested and confirmed.

26 Jul 2018

House Approves Save Our Seas Act

© p_gangler / Adobe Stock

New legislation approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday aims to address maritime transportation safety issues raised by the El Faro sinking, promote the U.S. Coast Guard’s awareness of technologies that could help improve service mission performance, and reduce marine debris.The Save Our Seas Act (S. 756), which was approved in the House by voice vote, combines several pieces of bipartisan legislation recently approved by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

12 Jul 2018

Workboats & SUB M: July 20, 2018 & Beyond

© G/AdobeStock

The bottom line is 46 CFR Subchapter M is drastically changing the landscape of towing operations within the United States. Some impacts we have identified and other will come to light as time passes.As the Subchapter M compliance deadline approaches on July 20, 2018, I have had the chance to discuss these new laws and their impact with a variety of Assured’s with diverse backgrounds and widely varying commercial tug operations.From my experience, there is still a great deal of confusion regarding the compliance requirements relating to Sub Chapter M.

03 Jul 2018

USCG Issues Advice for Collecting Information for SubM COI's

As of June 25, 2018, the Coast Guard has issued 22 certificates of inspection (COI) to towing vessels in both the Atlantic and Pacific areas of operation. Additional inspections are scheduled between now and July 20, 2018, when Subchapter M is fully implemented. The requirements for obtaining a certificate of inspection, as detailed in 46 CFR 136.210, begin when the owner/operator submits the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved Form CG-3752 “Application for Inspection.” New construction vessels use Form CG-3752A. Owners/operators are only required to complete OMB-approved forms and submit the information listed in the regulations.

07 Feb 2018

USCG Approves Meridian Global Consulting as TPO

© Ernest Prim / Adobe Stock

The Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise (TVNCOE) posted on its website February 2, 2018, that the U.S. Coast Guard has approved Meridian Global Consulting, LLC as a third-party organization (TPO) to carry out certain functions in accordance with Subchapter M. The current list of all Subchapter M approved TPOs is maintained on TVNCOE’s TPO webpage. In accordance with 46 CFR 139.110, classification societies that are recognized and/or authorized meet the requirements of a TPO.

31 Jan 2018

Subchapter M: Top 5 Moves to Make Now

© Chuck Ramsay / Adobe Stock

In 2004 Congress reclassified towing vessels as vessels subject to inspection. Thus began a lengthy process of regulation drafting by the U.S. Coast Guard, with a great deal of input from the towing industry. In 2011, the Notice of Proposed Rule Making was published giving the public its first look at what has become known as Subchapter M. Over 3,000 comments were received by the Coast Guard on the Proposed Rule. After five years of responding to those comments and revamping Subchapter M, on June 20, 2016 the Final Rule was published.

27 Dec 2017

El Faro and Perceived Deficiencies in the ACP

he Marine Board’s report, which is not final until approved by the Commandant, found no single cause for this tragic event. Rather, as in most such incidents, there were numerous factors that combined in the fatal voyage of El Faro. (Photo: NTSB)

The October 1, 2015 loss of the U.S. cargo vessel El Faro along with its 33 member crew led to the convening of a Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation charged with determining as closely as possible the cause(s) of the casualty; whether there is evidence that any failure of material was involved; whether there is evidence of misconduct, inattention to duty, negligence, or willful violation of law; and whether there is evidence that government personnel contributed to the casualty. The Marine Board released its report on October 1, 2017, the second anniversary of the casualty.

13 Nov 2017

Hans Beele's Mission to Build Sealing Valley

Hans Beele (Photo courtesy Beele Engineering)

Sealing Valley is a new concept that has been developed by Hans Beele, President of Dutch engineering specialist Beele Engineering. He will invest in a center of expertise for the advancement of fire protection and watertight sealing technology to provide the highest possible levels of safety. Modeled on Silicon Valley, Sealing Valley will create a concentrated center of know-how, with shipboard and marine safety a prime focus area. It will be here that expertise, creativity and daily installation practice will come together in a campus set-up.

16 May 2016

Trelleborg Trains USCG on Liqufied GasTransport

Trelleborg’s marine systems operation has again supported the U.S. Coast Guard by delivering a third training session in ensuring the safe, secure and clean transportation and use of liquefied gas in U.S. waters. As liquefied gases become a major commodity across the U.S., there is a critical need for the coast guard community to understand the systems used on board liquefied gas ships and how these work with onshore facilities. Richard Hepworth, President, Trelleborg Marine Systems, explained, “The liquefied gas industry is now well-established in the U.S, particularly along the Gulf Coast. Understanding how to carry out ship to shore connections for both liquefied gas carriers and fueling operations is essential for all coast guard personnel…

04 Jun 2016

Leavitt Heads Seattle Port's Environment Protection, Development

After an extensive national search, the Port of Seattle has promoted Elizabeth Leavitt to lead its work to protect and enhance the environment. The Senior Director for Environment and Sustainability is a newly created position leading a center of expertise that consolidates environmental, sustainability, and planning functions. Leavitt will report to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and will serve on the CEO’s Executive Leadership Team. “It is impressive that, within the large candidate pool, the Port’s own staff provided excellent people who rose to the top,” said Port COO Dave Soike. Leavitt has worked for the Port for more than 26 years, initially as a senior environmental program manager and, for the past seven years, as the director of aviation planning and environmental programs.

18 Sep 2017

CMA CGM, Infosys Sign Strategic Partnership

The CMA CGM Group, a world leader in container shipping, has signed a strategic partnership with Infosys, a world leader in consulting, next-generation technology and services. The goal of this seven-year partnership is to simplify and transform CMA CGM's IT applications and improve customer service excellence. As part of this partnership and at the request of CMA CGM, Infosys will open a center for development and innovation in Marseilles, which will become a reference center of expertise, making Marseilles a high place of expertise. Infosys will also take over the CMA CGM IT development center in Dubai, allowing it to strengthen its presence in the Middle East. Infosys will provide CMA CGM with the skills needed to maintain its applications and develop its SAP projects.

24 Aug 2016

Fugro, US Army Corps of Engineers Ink Mapping Deal

Fugro has been awarded a photogrammetric and LIDAR surveying and mapping contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, Missouri. The agreement is a five-year indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract with a ceiling value of $12.5 million. It marks Fugro’s third consecutive mapping contract with the Corps, making this a partnership that has spanned more than 30 years. “Our long-standing collaboration with the USACE has produced a multitude of products utilising numerous evolving technologies and methods over the years,” said David White, senior vice president of Fugro Geospatial. “We look forward to continuing our valued partnership and providing geospatial solutions to the St.

10 Nov 2016

US Coast Guard Hosts Subchapter M Forum

Steven Douglas from the Coast Guard Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise explains the inspections requirements for new and existing towing vessels outlined in Subchapter M, at Illinois Marine Towing Nov. 9, 2016. Douglas presented the information during a forum held to educate more than 80 industry representatives from across the Midwest. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Byron Rios)

Marine Safety Unit Chicago and the U.S. Coast Guard Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise hosted an informational outreach forum Wednesday with towing vessel operators to explain the implementation of the new regulations for the inspection of towing vessels, Subchapter M. The meeting was held at the offices of Illinois Marine Towing in Lemont Wednesday morning with more than 80 industry representatives from the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River Basin attending. This informational…