Olympia Snowe News

Raytheon says it has appointed Thomas A. Vecchiolla as president, Raytheon International, Inc., effective immediately. In his new role, Vecchiolla will be responsible for leading Raytheon's international business team worldwide. Vecchiolla will report to John Harris, vice president, business development, Raytheon Company, and CEO, Raytheon International, Inc. and will be based in Washington, DC. "Tom's impressive depth of industry knowledge and strong customer relationships, combined with his political expertise and military background, provide him with a strong foundation to advance Raytheon's focus on global growth and customer success," said Harris.

Northern Maine vessels will be able to navigate more safely around the dangerous Cobscook Bay thanks to an updated version of the area's nautical chart issued by NOAA. The latest chart includes a new detailed illustration-called a "chart inset"-of the waters around Falls Island, providing safer passage for mariners who transit those waters. While NOAA cartographers had updated Chart 13394 (Grand Manan Channel) over the past several years, using depth measurements and obstruction locations acquired during a major hydrographic survey in 2010, a new inset was needed specifically for Falls Island. "Larger, more detailed scale coverage helps mitigate the dangers to navigation in these areas," explained Cmdr. Shep Smith, chief of NOAA Office of Coast Survey's  Marine Chart Division.

Bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) and nine co-sponsors would establish a strong, nationally consistent standard for ballast water and other vessel discharges, bringing good news for the marine environment and for maritime commerce, the American Waterways Operators (AWO) announced. S. 3332, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, would require the U.S. Coast Guard to implement the most environmentally protective ballast water discharge standard achievable by existing technology.

The fire aboard Miami damaged the torpedo room, crew quarters and command and control areas in the fore part of the submarine, but the nuclear propulsion components in the after part of the sub were not harmed. Vice Adm. Kevin M. McCoy, commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command, told Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, that he’s hopeful that the ship can be repaired. He said that many vital components escaped damage because they had been removed for the 20-month overhaul and that salvage parts are available from previously decommissioned Los Angeles-class subs. The intensity of the fire, the lack of lighting, the thick smoke and the metal hull that turned the submarine into an oven all contributed to a difficult blaze for firefighters to extinguish.

According to a report on SustainableBusiness.com, bipartisan legislation was introduced in the US Senate would create incentives for investments in offshore wind energy. Senators Tom Carper (D-DE), and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) introduced the "Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act," which extends investment tax credits for the first 3,000 MW of offshore wind facilities placed into service - roughly 600 wind turbines. (Source: Sustainable Business.com)

The American Shipbuilding Association (ASA) announced that U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) would be the 2010 recipient of the Herbert H. Bateman Award. The award will be presented Wednesday, June 23 at 6:00 pm during ASA's Salute to the Illih Congress reception in the Gold Room (2168) of the Rayburn House Office Building. "Thad Cochran, throughout his 38 years of service in the U.S. House of Representatives and in the U.S. Senate, has been a tireless advocate for a stronger shipbuilding industry and our Nation's sea services.

The American Shipbuilding Association (ASA) announced that Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) is the 2009 recipient of the Herbert H. Bateman Award. This award was presented on Wednesday, May 13th at 6:00 pm during ASA’s Salute to the 111th Congress reception in the Gold Room (2168) of the Rayburn House Office Building. Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996, Senator Reed is a senior Member of the Armed Services Committee, a Member of the Subcommittee on Seapower, and a Member of the Appropriations Committee. Senator Jack Reed has dedicated his years in the United States Senate to working men and women who build the finest submarines and surface ships in the world so that American Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen and women have the best in executing their missions.

Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, and Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, sent a letter to Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen expressing concern over the Coast Guard’s preliminary acceptance of the National Security Cutter BERTHOLF before many of the ship’s problems have been adequately fixed (text of the letter below).Last month, the U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) conducted a thorough assessment of the ship, and recommended that the Coast Guard delay acceptance until eight serious, “starred” deficiencies were addressed.

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead gets hands-on experience in the operation of induction coating removal equipment during a tour of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, from the Shipyard Commander, Capt. Robert Mazzone and the Shipyard Plastics Fabricator Richard Beaudion. U.S. Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead toured Portsmouth Naval Shipyard here Jan. 8 as part of an eight-day trip visiting private and public shipyards throughout the U.S. The CNO is conducting the trip to help deepen his understanding of the shipbuilding industry. Joined by Sens.

A bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 30 that encompasses the policy provisions of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 legislative package, including a proposal that would establish a new inspection program for the towing industry. The bill, entitled the Maritime Transportation Amendments of 2004 (H.R. 4251), was quickly slated for action. On May 6, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), convened a hearing on the authorization measure. During his opening remarks, Chairman LoBiondo stated, “Since the establishment of the Coast Guard, one of the Service’s primary duties has been to promote and protect the safety of life and property at sea. H.R.

The American Shipbuilding Association (ASA) announced on June 21, 2004 that Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) would be the 2004 recipient of the Herbert H. Bateman Award. This award will be presented on Wednesday, June 23rd at 6:00 pm during ASA’s Salute to the 108th Congress reception in the Foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building. “Duncan Hunter, throughout his nearly 24 years on the Armed Services Committee, has been a tireless advocate of a stronger defense shipbuilding industrial base. He has consistently worked for larger defense procurement budgets to fund the required number of naval ships,” said Cynthia Brown, President of the American Shipbuilding Association.

Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), chairwoman of a Senate Coast Guard subcommittee, is among several officials that are pushing to speed up a 20- to 25-year, multibillion-dollar program to replace the Coast Guard's "deepwater" fleet, the 88 large ships and 186 aircraft capable of operating many miles offshore. This is particularly important now that homeland security has been added to the Coast Guard's responsibilities. But some of the Coast Guard's ships are more than 50 years old, well beyond the recommended age for replacement. The Bush administration wants to increase the amount of time it will take to replace the fleet to 25 years, presumably as a cost-cutting measure. But Senator Snow wants to replace the deepwater fleet over 10 to 15 years.

The commandant of the Coast Guard, Adm. Thomas Collins, is in Maine Wednesday, joining U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe for a tour of the Coast Guard base in South Portland, according to WMTW.com, touring the recently established Coast Guard Sector Northern New England. Snowe chairs the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Fisheries and the Coast Guard.

The American Shipbuilding Association (ASA) announced that Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) is the 2007 recipient of the Herbert H. Bateman Award. This award will be presented on Wednesday, June 6th at 6:00 pm during ASA’s Salute to the 110th Congress reception. Senator Collins was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996 and reelected in 2002, and is Ranking Member and former Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Armed Services Committee. “Senator Collins is a consistent, strong advocate for the shipbuilding industry of the United States. She helped to defeat the Navy’s ‘One Shipyard’ policy to ensure that both Bath Iron Works and Ingalls continue to design and build surface combatants for the Navy.

On Friday, June 23, 2006, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME); Jack Reed (D-RI); Trent Lott (R-MS); Jim Talent (R-MO); Olympia Snowe (R-ME); Christopher Dodd (D-CT); Lincoln Chafee (R-RI); Mike Dewine (R-OH); Lindsey Graham (R-SC); Daniel Akaka (D-HI), David Vitter (R-LA); Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ); Bill Nelson (D-FL); Joe Leiberman (D-CT); Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and; Mary Landrieu (D-LA) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense, Donald H. Rumseld, asking him to increase the Navy’s top line budget for the purpose of increasing the ship procurement budget in fiscal year 2008. The request comes on the heels of a letter sent by members of the House of Representatives Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus urging support for the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Michael C.

Avondale Industries, Inc. has agreed to pay $357,750 in penalties for safety and health violations at its shipyard in Avondale, La., and implement a revised safety and health program as part of a settlement agreement announced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). "We are pleased Avondale has agreed to resolve this matter," said Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman. "Avondale's new management has shown they are serious about eliminating safety hazards. OSHA originally inspected the shipyard in October 1998 following union complaints of possible imminent danger from falls, and other health issues. Based on that inspection, OSHA issued 60 citations against the shipbuilder last April and proposed fines of $537,000.

Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), chairwoman of the Senate Oceans and Fisheries Subcommittee, told USCG Commandant James Loy the Administration's proposal to impose new taxes on commercial vessel operators will not be considered by Congress. Contained in the USCG's FY 00 budget proposal, the navigational assistance user fee is the same as that proposed and rejected by Congress last year. Charirwoman Snowe took issue with the Administration for sending such a proposal to the Congress as part of the FY 00 budget, when just four months earlier, the Congress enacted legislation prohibiting the USCG from planning, implementing or finalizing any regulation that would promulgate a new user fee on the industry.

The Conferees on the Defense Authorization Bill, S.1059, for fiscal year 2000 wrapped up their conference after providing "Extended Lease" authority of 20 years or more to the Secretary of the Navy for the services of non-combatant ships, and rejecting an attempt by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) to repeal the three-year waiting period before foreign-built ships are eligible to carry preference cargo. The House Armed Services Committee has been working for three years to provide the Secretary of the Navy the authority to enter into long-term leases of the services of newly constructed non-combatant ships as an alternative to procuring the ships in the Shipbuilding and Conversion Account.

The Conferees on the Defense Authorization Bill, S.1059, for fiscal year 2000 wrapped up their conference after providing "Extended Lease" authority of 20 years or more to the Secretary of the Navy for the services of non-combatant ships, and rejecting an attempt by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) to repeal the three-year waiting period before foreign-built ships are eligible to carry preference cargo. The House Armed Services Committee has been working for three years to provide the Secretary of the Navy the authority to enter into long-term leases of the services of newly constructed non-combatant ships as an alternative to procuring the ships in the Shipbuilding and Conversion Account.