Rochester Harbor Pier Repair Contract Awarded
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Buffalo District awarded a $3.85 million contract to Illinois-based Great Lakes Dock and Materials, L.L.C. on March 31 for repairs to the Rochester Harbor East Pier in Rochester, N.Y.Repairs will ensure the pier, along with its adjacent federal navigation channel, continue to provide safe passage and refuge for commercial and recreational vessels between the Genesee River, Lake Ontario and the rest of the Great Lakes.“The Port of Rochester…
Katherine Tai Confirmed by Senate as US Trade Chief
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted unanimously to confirm veteran government trade lawyer Katherine Tai as the first woman of color to serve as U.S. Trade Representative, putting her to work enforcing trade deals, confronting China’s trade practices and patching up ties with U.S. allies.The rare 98-0 vote for Tai, a Yale and Harvard-educated daughter of immigrants from Taiwan, reflects support from pro-labor Democrats, traditional free-trade Republicans and China hawks from both parties.Tai…
Sen. Schumer Calls for Offshore Wind Turbine Assembly Site to be Built in Brooklyn
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer on Monday joined Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, calling for a creation of a local offshore wind turbine assembly center at Sunset Park, Brooklyn, New York, and calling for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) funding.According to a statement released by the Senator's office, the assembly site would position New York to play a significant role in the offshore wind supply chain, "which could create thousands of jobs…
Proposed Federal Budget Includes Funding for New SUNY Maritime Vessel
The proposed 2016 federal budget included funding for the design of new multi-mission vessels that will serve as training ships for the nation’s state maritime academies, including the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College. President Barack Obama’s $4 trillion proposed budget, released on Monday, included a line item of $5 million for the design of the National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV) as part of the Department of Transportation budget. “We are delighted…
Ebola Fears Hit the Maritime Market
Brazil, Argentina and the United States have tightened port entry procedures for ships that have sailed from West Africa in a bid to control the potential spread of the deadly Ebola virus. Ebola has killed more than 3,400 people in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, and its spread has become a global concern -- with worries for trade, which could affect the airline and tourism industries together with seaborne activity. The virus is already threatening to disrupt logistics activity…
Former NASA Vessel Becomes a Training Facility
U.S. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Acting Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen today visited the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) to celebrate the rechristening of the Academy’s new training vessel, the Kings Pointer. They were joined by Academy leadership, as well as Senator Charles Schumer and Representatives Timothy Bishop and Steve Israel. “The new Kings Pointer is yet another example of this Administration’s commitment to ensuring first-rate training and facilities for the Academy’s midshipmen,” said Secretary Foxx.
Senate Democrats Want Inspection of All Rigs
According to a May 20 report from RTTNews, Senate Democrats are urging President Barack Obama to order inspections of all offshore oil rigs. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., was joined by Senators Richard Durbin, D-Ill., Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Robert Menendez, D-N.J., in sending a letter to Obama asking him to order the inspections. (Source: RTTNews)
Biometric Devices Sought for NYC Passenger Ship Terminal
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) sent a Letter to Asa Hutchinson, Under Secretary for Border & Transportation Security, Department of Homeland Security, recommending that biometric devices be installed at the New York City Passenger Ship Terminal. Source: HK Law
Congress Investigates NY Port Security
NY1 reported that NY Police Commissioner Ray Kelly is set to speak before a Congressional committee, looking at port security. Some of the topics to be discussed include information sharing between city, state and federal authorities and what can be done to improve security standards. Representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard will also speak. It was also reported that local senators are planning to introduce legislation to increase federal funding for transit security. Senators Charles Schumer and Bob Menendez from New Jersey are asking for an extra $300 million for 2006. The legislation will also call for a change in the way grants are given out, making big cities like New York a higher priority in getting security funding. Source: NY1
Report: Ferries Remain Vulnerable to Attacks
The Advance reported that while terrorist attacks on Staten Island's bridges would be difficult, experts say, the Staten Island Ferry remains a high-profile, vulnerable target. Harvey Kushner, a Long Island University professor of criminal justice and a federal government counterterrorism adviser, said the payoff for terrorists would be the sea disaster spectacle value. Officials said city ferries remain vulnerable despite the post-9/11 ban on trucks and cars. Instead of using car or truck bombs to attack the ferries, terrorists simply could send suicide bombers aboard the boats posing as passengers, it was explained. Police and Coast Guard officials have beefed up security on the ferries since 9/11. The NYPD assigned additional officers to patrol the boats and the ferry terminals.
Senators Call for Increased Security Funding
Senators Fritz Hollings (D-SC), Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Patty Murray (D-WA) issued a Press Release
