Government Update News


SOLAS Reminder – New AIS Annual Test Required

May 27, 2012

All vessels fitted with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) will be required to have their AIS equipment tested annually from 1 July 2012The test should be conducted during the first Passenger Ship Safety, Cargo Ship Safety Equipment…

USNS Comfort's Medical Treatment Facility Changes Command

May 25, 2012

Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort's Medical Treatment Facility changed leadership May 25 as Navy Capt. Kevin J. Knoop assumed command from Navy Capt. David K. Weiss during a ceremony aboard Comfort at Canton Pier in Baltimore…

This Day in Naval History - May 25

May 25, 2012

From Navy News Service:  1952 - USS Iowa (BB 61) bombards Chongjin, Korea. 1973 - Launch of Skylab 2 mission, which was first U.S. manned orbiting space station. It had an all Navy crew of Capt. Charles Conrad Jr. (commanding)…

Open Ocean Welcomes IMO Stance on Private Security Teams

May 25, 2012

Open Ocean’s maritime risk management alliance welcomes IMO’s statements on use of private maritime security on vessels.Murray Hammick, Managing Director of Chenega Federal (UK) Ltd, the company behind the Open Ocean maritime risk management alliance…

U.S. Should Ratify Law of Sea Convention Says Defense Secretary

May 24, 2012

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta tells senators that by not ratifying the Law of the Sea Convention, the United States puts itself at greater risk of entering into conflict“If we are not a party to this treaty and can’t deal with it at the table…

This Day in Naval History - May 23

May 23, 2012

From the Navy News Service:  1850 - Navy sends USS Advance and USS Rescue to attempt rescue of Sir John Franklin's expedition, lost in Arctic. 1939 - USS Squalus (SS 92) sinks off Postsmouth, N.H., with loss of 26 lives. 1962 - Launch of Aurora 7 (Mercury 7)…

Coast Guard Recognizes Industry's Environmental Excellence

May 23, 2012

The U.S. Coast Guard announced the award recipients for the 2012 Biennial Rear Admiral William M. Benkert, Marine Environmental Protection Award for Excellence at the American Petroleum Institute Tanker Conference in Orlando, Fla. The winner of the Osprey award went to APL Co…

TRANSCOM Leader: U.S. Maritime Industry Vital

May 23, 2012

U.S. TRANSCOM General Says Domestic Maritime Industry is “Fourth Arm of Defense.” On National Maritime Day, Calls Industry Critically Important to National Security. U.S. TRANSCOM Commanding General William Fraser III today said maintaining…

This Day in Naval History - May 22

May 22, 2012

From the Navy News Service:  1882 - Commodore Shufeldt signs commerce treaty opening Korea to U.S. trade. 1958 - Naval aircraft F4D-1 Sky Ray sets five world speed-to-climb records, May 22-23. 1967 - New York City reaches agreement to purchase Brooklyn Navy Yard…

A Grateful Nation Thanks Maritime Workers

May 22, 2012

Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) issued this statement to commemorate National Maritime Day: “As we celebrate the 79th National Maritime Day in the U.S., we express our gratitude to the nation’s…

FMC: Power, Enforcement and – Your Risk

May 22, 2012

Don’t Risk an Expensive Run-in with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. For the first time in years, the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (“FMC”) has a full complement of five Commissioners and a renewed commitment to enforce the Shipping Act of 1984 (as amended…

Maritime Authority Sums Up Latest Barrier Reef Incident

May 22, 2012

The Australian Maritime Safety Agency (AMSA) sums up a recent incident where a bulk carrier was disabled in the Coral Sea, & outlines its proactive maritime safety measures The incident involving the ID Integrity took place 175 nm off the Queensland coast…

Private Maritime Security – IMO to Set Guidelines

May 21, 2012

Guidance for private maritime security companies to be developed by IMO’s Maritime Safety CommitteeA special high-level segment of IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), convened by IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu to discuss policy matters…

Change of Watch for Coast Guard Vice Commandant

May 18, 2012

Vice Adm. Sally Brice-O’Hara was relieved by Vice Adm. John P. Currier as vice commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard during a military change of watch ceremony held here Friday morning at Fort Lesley J. McNair. Brice-O’Hara retired from the…

Finally! At Last – Customs Admits Risk!

May 18, 2012

For many years the Congress, GAO, and I many times, have criticized Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or not addressing or even acknowledging the security risks and loss of revenue from an antiquated, and ineffective in-bond systems that serves…

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