The U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration will hold three public meetings to gather data and comments for the agency's U.S.-Flag Great Lakes Fleet Revitalization Study. It will include reviewing investment options…
While it may be an unpopular opinion, I support marine environmental regulation – so long as it is sensible, fair, well-researched, and structured so as to result in minimal unintended consequences. Knee-jerk regulation, on the other hand, is invariably counterproductive…
The NOAA Hydrographic Services Review Panel will meet Oct. 12-13, in Vancouver, Wash., to discuss operations, research and development, hydrographic surveying, nautical charting, and geodetic and geospatial measurements. The panel is a Federal…
The National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP) issued a new Research Announcement (RA) on September 24, 2010. The RA is posted on the NSRP website (http://www.nsrp.org/Solicitation/ra0901_solicitation.html), along with associated proposal guidance…
Prior to start of the eighth and final Public Forum on Offshore Drilling in Lafayette, La., Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEM) Director Michael R. Bromwich met this morning with Louisiana Lt. Governor Scott…
Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07), a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a request to Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) on August 30, requesting that, in his role as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Domestic Policy…
U.S. EPA’s Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld announced details of the Agency’s proposal to ban all sewage discharges from large cruise ships and most other large ocean-going ships to the marine waters along California’s entire coastline…
The US Coast Guard proposes to increase the rates for pilotage on the Great Lakes by an average of approximately 4% to generate sufficient revenue to cover allowable expenses, target pilot compensation, and return on investment. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by September 20…
Waterborne cargo contributes more than $742b to the U.S. economy, and creates employment for more than 13 million people. To keep the marine transportation system functioning efficiently and safely, NOAA annually prioritizes areas that need hydrographic surveys…
The USCG-MMS Joint Investigation released its Roadmap for determining the causes of the Deepwater Horizon casualty and improving the safety net for MODUs operating on the US outer continental shelf (OCS):1st Public Hearings (5/11‐12/10)•…
In his weekly address, President Barack Obama spoke of his commitment to helping the people of the Gulf Coast recover and rebuild from the BP oil spill that has threatened their livelihoods. On June 4, the President heard from local residents…
On May 29, 2010, the following statement by President Obama regarding the latest efforts to contain the BP oil spill was released:“Today, I’ve spoken with National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen, as well as Energy Secretary Steven Chu…
NOAA's Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) is seeking applications for the HSRP 2010 Panel Membership Solicitation process. NOAA would greatly appreciate your distributing the attached Federal Register Notice to interested applicants. Closing date is June 30…
According to a May 14 report from the Associated Press, the Obama administration said on May 14 it is tightening procedures at the agency that grants offshore drilling permits to ensure it follows all environmental laws. Interior Secretary Ken…
The first political backlash from the recent explosion and sinking of Deepwater Horizon appears to be the Department of Interior’s Minerals Management Service, as it movement is reportedly underway to split the agency that polices the offshore drilling industry…