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Peter Neffenger News

17 Aug 2014

Ingalls Shipbuilding Christens 5th National Security Cutter

Huntington Ingalls Industries' (NYSE:HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division christened the company's fifth U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter (NSC), James (WMSL 754), today in front of nearly 1,000 guests. Charlene James Benoit, great-great niece of the ship's namesake, Capt. Joshua James, is the ship sponsor. "The boundaries surrounding illegal migrant activity, weapons, drug smuggling and terrorism continue to blur and converge," said Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger, vice commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and the ceremony's principal speaker. "The challenges created by that convergence require a 21st century Joshua James. We need his spirit and his adherence to our values. We need his adaptability, his staying power and his multi-mission focus.

24 Jul 2014

House Subcommittee Hearing Highlights “Dismal State” of U.S. Icebreaking Capability

Craig H. Allen, Sr.

At the July 23, 2014, hearing of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation on “Implementing U.S. Policy in the Arctic” the committee chairman, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), opened the proceedings by holding up a graphic of the icebreaker fleets of the world—which depicts nearly 40 Russian icebreakers—and then commented on the “dismal state” of the U.S. icebreaker situation. The hearing background paper noted that the United States presently has only two working polar class icebreakers…

26 Jun 2014

USCG Presents William M. Benkert Awards

Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger presented the 2014 Rear Adm. William Benkert Awards at the American Petroleum Institute's (API) annual tanker conference Thursday. The award is given to support and recognize maritime industry efforts for their environmental protection programs. This biennial award was started in 1995 and honors industry leaders in the field of marine safety and environmental protection and provides an opportunity for the Coast Guard to recognize leadership, innovation and creativity found among those members of the maritime industry. It is the premier environmental protection award presented by the U.S.

26 Jun 2014

Polar Tankers Win Prestigious Coast Guard Award

The United States Coast Guard informs that it has recognized ConocoPhillips subsidiary Polar Tankers, Inc. with the Rear Admiral William M. Benkert Osprey Award for Environmental Excellence. Vice Admiral Peter Neffenger, the USCG 29th Vice Commandant, presented the award at the American Petroleum Institute Tanker Conference. The Benkert awards were created to recognize outstanding achievements in marine environmental protection that go beyond compliance with industry and regulatory standards. A committee reviews and scores award applications submitted biennially by maritime operators. The Osprey-level Benkert award is the highest environmental award given by the USCG. “ConocoPhillips is honored to accept this prestigious maritime award from the U.S.

19 Jun 2014

US Coast Guard Outlines Arctic Priorities

USCG Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Jodie Knox)

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger, the USCG’s Vice Commandant, presented the service’s 2014 Arctic priorities in support of the Coast Guard’s Arctic Strategy at an Arctic-shipping event sponsored by the Norwegian Embassy. The USCG’s Arctic Strategy is built around three strategic objectives: improve awareness, modernize governance and broaden partnerships in the Arctic region. “Where there are humans on the water, there is a demand for us to keep them safe and secure and ensure environmental responsibility,” said Neffenger.

09 Jun 2014

Coast Guard's Top Enlisted & Civilians Recognized

Senior leaders at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington formally recognized the service’s top enlisted and civilian members during the 2013 Coast Guard Persons of the Year Awards Ceremony. Vice Adm. Petty Officer 1st Class Travis Cutler, the 2013 Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year. Martin is a recreation assistant serving at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. Slate is an education services specialist serving at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound in New Haven, Conn. Mundy is a maritime enforcement specialist assigned to Coast Guard Special Missions Training Center’s Deployment Training Detachment Portsmouth, Va. “Mr. Martin, Ms. Slate, Petty Officer Cutler and Petty Officer Mundy, you should be very proud of your accomplishments,” said Neffenger.

20 May 2014

Vice Adm. Neffenger Becomes Vice Commandant

Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger speaks during the vice commandant change of watch ceremony at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, May 20, 2014. Neffenger became the 29th vice commandant of the Coast Guard during the event. (U.S. Coast Guard photo Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley)

U.S. Coast Guard Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger relieved Vice Adm. John Currier as Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard during a change of watch ceremony at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C., Tuesday. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp presided over the ceremony and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson attended. “It has been my honor to serve our nation as the vice commandant,” said Currier. The change-of-watch ceremony is a time-honored event preserved by rich heritage of naval tradition.

19 May 2014

‘On the Way to Work’ Coast Guard Hero Honored

The Secretary of Homeland Security's Award for Valor has been presented by  Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Charles Johnson, to Chief Petty Officer Jesse Meerscheidt, a gunner’s mate at Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi. Meerscheidt received the award for pulling a 36-year-old woman from a burning car after she was involved in a head-on collision last October while he was on the way to work. “I am humbled and honored to be recognized by the Secretary of Homeland Security and am ever thankful to be able to help a person in need,” said Chief Petty Officer Meerscheidt. PICTURE CAPTION:  Chief Petty Officer Jesse Meerscheidt stands alongside Vice Adm.

22 Apr 2014

Arctic Energy Exploration Efforts Heat Up

The first ever cargo vessel to sail from Murmansk to Shanghai via the Northern Sea Route, without the assistance of icebreakers, recently completed its maiden crossing, cutting a 65-day journey on the return leg down to 19 days. ABB’s Azipod electric propulsion technology helps to make the year-round journey possible. (Photo: ABB)

Oil and gas—and also mining—are the drivers today propelling Arctic maritime operations and the construction of new vessels able to operate in extreme latitudes. While the gas and oil resources can be recovered in the Arctic or far north and shipped to markets by sea or pipeline, the cost of doing must be balanced upon the global market price for those commodities. Ships and marine structures able to operate in the harsh conditions of the extreme latitudes require special designs and construction techniques.

19 Mar 2014

Coast Guard Icebreaker returns from Operation Deep Freeze

The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star is scheduled to return to their homeport of Coast Guard Base Seattle at 10 a.m., Friday, March 21, 2014, following a 108-day deployment of Operation Deep Freeze 2014. Polar Star departed Seattle Dec. 3rd, 2013, and made port calls in Honolulu, Sydney, Australia, McMurdo Station, Antarctica, and Tahiti, French Polynesia. Having completed a reactivation that began four years ago, this deployment marks the first time in six years that a U.S. icebreaker has supported Operation Deep Freeze, the U.S. Antarctic Program’s resupply efforts of McMurdo Station, Antarctica. In January, Polar Star departed Sydney to assist in the rescue effort of two ships, the Russian vessel Akademik Shokalsiky and the Chinese vessel Xue Long.

07 Mar 2013

Nor-Shipping 2013 Announce Speaker Lineup

Photo: Nor-Shipping

Nor-Shipping 2013 opens just three months from now with a cast of speakers featuring top executives from world-leading companies covering the entire value chain of themaritime industry – from shipowners and technology and service companies to regulators and financiers. Among speakers welcoming delegates to the Opening Conference on June 4 will be Norway’s Minister of Trade and Industry Trond Giske, who will provide a governmental perspective, and IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu, who will share regulatory insights.HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway will also attend.

28 Feb 2013

Sequestration to Hit Maritime Economy, Affect Coast Guard

John Garamendi:Photo credit David Sims

Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation ranking member Garamendi warns resources will be severely slashed, significantly hampering maritime commerce. During the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee hearing yesterday, Ranking Member Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield) exposed that cutbacks to basic maritime services caused by the sequester will significantly hit our economy. Under questioning from Congressman Garamendi, U.S. Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations…

06 Nov 2012

New York Floating Venue for NAMEPA Conference

'Hornbolower Infinity': Photo credit NAMEPA

NAMEPA's upcoming 5th Anniversary Conference and Awards Dinner to move aboard the 'Hornblower Infinity'. Hurricane Sandy created a lot of havoc in New York, but it hasn’t dampened the  North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA)’s plans for its 5th Anniversary Conference and Awards Dinner being held on November 14th which will now be held aboard the Hornblower Infinity, docked at Pier 40 (33 West Street). A dynamic conference, featuring Philip Shapiro of Liberty Maritime…

24 Oct 2012

NAMEPA Announce Upcoming Conference, Awards

Clay Maitland: Photo credit NAMEPA

Clay Maitland, Chairman of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), announces two major events. NAMEPA’s Environmental Intelligence in Maritime Conference, will feature “Greening the Marine Transportation System”, “The Arctic”, “Safety at Sea” and “Corporate Risk Management”. This conference, with NAMEPA's fifth anniversary in mind, will be held on 14, November 2012, and is to be followed by NAMEPA’s 2012 Marine Environment Protection Awards honoring Maersk, NOAA, SUNY Maritime College, and the American Salvage Association (ASA).