The Conference of Professional Operators for Response Towing (C-PORT) recently appointed Captain John Ward, of Sea Tow Destin, FL., as its new Chairman of the Board. C-PORT is the only association that represents the marine assistance industry nationwide.
John Ward owns and operates Aquanaut Towing & Salvage/Sea Tow Pensacola, Destin, Lake Norman/Wylie and Lake Kerr/Gaston. He was appointed chairman at the organization’s 30th membership meeting, held at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista, Orlando, FL. in November. During the presentation, Ward remarked about the recent discovery of his grandfather being a part of the original organization dating back to 1987.
“The marine industry and this great organization has been in my family for generations and that is something to be proud of,” Ward stated. “I am honored to serve with C-PORT’s board members and help to come up with policy and procedures that will make our industry better.”
Since Ward has served in the U.S. Coast Guard, he became a business owner and has worked in the marine industry for a number of years with an incredible reputation. He can provide a true 360-approach to issues that need to be addressed by C-PORT.
Presently, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) is working to implement a new regulation to ensure electronic charting systems (ECS) are on all commercial vessels. “C-PORT is planning to work with the (USCG) to take ensure this is effectively done as it relates to the assistance towing industry ,” Ward said. “Considering my experience, I will have a better understanding of its operations, procedures and feasibility on such a topic.”
This year, Ward will also be working on ACAPT (Accredited for Commercial Assistance and Professional Towing), standards to ensure they meet the most up to date regulations and industry practices.
The 2017 C-PORT Board of Directors includes: Robert Butler, Big Bay Marine/Tow Boat U.S. San Diego; Phil Delano, Yachting Specialties/Tow Boat U.S. San Francisco Bay and Delta; Robert Estrada, Estrada Marine Services/Tow Boat U.S. Lake Lanier; Terry Hill, Potomac Marine Inc./Tow Boat U.S. Potomac; Anthony Noury, Hawser LLC/Sea Tow Charleston; Rand Pratt, Hawser Marine Services/Sea Tow Key Biscayne; Jon Gridley, Sea Tow Lake Oconee/Sinclair and Sea Tow Clarks Hill Lake; Roger Slade, Marine Assist of Port Hadlock/Tow Boat U.S. Port Hadlock.
