Begich, Wicker, Schatz Introduce NOAA Corps Amendments Act
U.S. Senators Mark Begich, Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced legislation to strengthen the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Commissioned Officer Corps as a national asset and improve its ability to recruit and retain talented candidates like other uniformed services. Begich is chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard. Wicker and Schatz serve on the subcommittee as well. The NOAA Corps’ primary mission is to operate NOAA’s fleet of research ships and aircraft.
AWO: Senate Bill Would Protect Marine Environment
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.
Coast Guard Commandant Testifies Before House, Senate Subcommittees
WASHINGTON — Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Bob Papp testified before the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security on the Coast Guard’s Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Request, Tuesday. Papp is scheduled to appear before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and the Coast Guard on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. and is also scheduled to testify, along with Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Michael Leavitt, before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Marine Transportation at 10 a.m.
Cummings Issues Statement on Deepwater
Mr. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6999, the Integrated Deepwater Program Reform Act of 2008. This legislation is based on similar Deepwater reform legislation, H.R. 2722, which passed the House by a vote of 426 to 0 last year, and on S. 924, which passed the Senate by unanimous consent. · Chairwoman Cantwell and Ranking Member Snowe of that Committee’s Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard. Each of these Members worked to craft the thoughtful and measured legislation before us – and I applaud their leadership and their dedication to ensuring effective management and oversight both of the United States Coast Guard and of taxpayers’ resources. Mr.
Cantwell, Cummings, Snowe Express Concern Over DD-250
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.
Hearing on Oil Spills from Non-Tank Vessels
On December 18, the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries & Coast Guard of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation conducted a hearing on Oil Spills from Non-Tank Vessels. Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) noted the success of OPA 90 in reducing spills from tank vessels, but noted that the incidence of spills from non-tank vessels have not declined as much, asking whether standards for these vessels should be strengthened. Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant, US Coast Guard, discussed efforts to make fuel tanks on vessels less susceptible to damage and proposed increasing the limit of liability for damages caused by oil spills from non-tank vessels. Ms.
USCG Budget and Management Challenges Discussed
The General Accounting Office (GAO) released the testimony presented at the March 19, 2002 hearing before the Subcommittee on Oceans and Fisheries of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The testimony, entitled Coast Guard: Budget and Management Challenges for 2003 and Beyond, discussed the effect of the homeland security mission on the service's other missions; issues regarding future mission balance; and challenges facing the future Coast Guard. Source: HK Law
Hearing on Coast Guard Budget and Oversight
On March 15, the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and the Coast Guard of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation will conduct a hearing on the Coast Guard budget and oversight. Source; HK Law
ICGS Defends Coast Guard Modernization Program
Representatives from Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) presented testimony on the Integrated Deepwater System program before the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard. Philip Teel, president of Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, and Dr. Leo Mackay, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Coast Guard Systems, highlighted ICGS' commitment to the Coast Guard and its continued support of the service's evolving post-9/11 mission requirements. Renewal of the service contract for the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) based in Jacksonville, Fla., for a fifth year. These eight MH-68A helicopters are equipped with airborne use of force and have had a significant impact on illicit drug interdictions.
