Meetings Will Discuss Mariner Training Program

A subcommittee of the Coast Guard's Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) will meet to discuss the training of merchant marine personnel on April 30 and May 1, 2003, in Seattle, WA., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The meetings are open to the public. The MERPAC subcommittee will specifically meet to discuss recommendations on a training program for officers in charge of an engineering watch coming up through the hawsepipe. The subcommittee will develop recommendations and a proposed training program to be used by a mariner entering the maritime industry after August 1, 1998. The recommendations and proposed training program will be forwarded to the full MERPAC for consideration and possible adoption at the next regular meeting. MERPAC advises the Secretary of Homeland Security on matters relating to the training, qualifications, licensing, certification, and fitness of seamen serving in the U.S. merchant marine. MERPAC will meet on both days in Room FOB-90 of the Old Federal Building located at 909 1st Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. Further directions regarding the location of the Old Federal Building may be obtained by contacting the Property Management Office at (206) 220-5055. For questions on these meetings, contact CDR Brian J. Peter, Executive Director of MERPAC, or Mr. Mark Gould, his assistant, at 202-267-6890, fax 202-267-4570, or [email protected]. Members of the public who plan to attend this meeting should notify Gould at 202-267-6890, or by e-mail at [email protected], so that he may notify building security officials. In order to gain entry to the Old Federal Building, you will be required to show a valid federal or state picture identification card. Requests to make oral presentations, written material and requests to have a copy of your material distributed to each member of the subcommittee should be submitted to CDR B. J. Peter, Commandant (G-MSO-1), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW, Washington, DC 20593-0001, on or before April 23, 2003.