STCW Convention protocol to be followed to the letter, says Jeffrey Lantz, Director of National and International Standards. DHS provides clarification on a number of issues. The future of MERPAC, other industry advisory committees and U.S. training protocols still remains cloudy.

NSRP weighs in on workforce training and retention and ponders, “Ship Building & Repair: A fragmented industry?” Is a better question to ask, “Can This Patient be Saved?”

SMM 2010 International Trade Fair in Hamburg accentuates positive trends in the maritime industry and provides a perfect backdrop for the newest print entry for maritime professionals everywhere. MaritimeProfessional.com will kick off with a new quarterly print publication in 1Q 2011.

DHS OIG Reports provide a shallow victory for USCG as another medical competency hearing kicks off. MERPAC’s fate still unknown as SOCP steps up to fill the void. American mariners might ask: Is this progress?

Hawaii Superferry auctions coincide with DOT’s Marine Highway grant announcements. One event perhaps signals the end of Title XI loan guarantees while the other is intended, in part, to stimulate shipbuilding in the U.S. markets. The disparity in dollar amounts between the two is telling.