The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education and welfare of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today its 31st event honoring the Coast Guard on the west coast. This annual event brings together notable members of the community and maritime industries to recognize the United States Coast Guard for their work to serve and safeguard mariners, protect the environment and defend the Nation’s interests.
This year the event will have a special focus, 'Defending our Maritime Cyber Domain'. Admiral Charles D. Michel, vice commandant of the United States Coast Guard and Christopher J. Wiernicki, chairman, president and CEO of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) will be keynote speakers and discussemerging cyber threats and the need to improve protection and preparedness postures in shipboard and port environments. The topic is particularly timely considering both the ABS and a group of cargo and passenger ship associations – including The Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) – released cyber security guidelines this year.
Additionally, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is presently conducting outreach with the intent of drafting maritime cyber security regulations.
Admiral Michelis a 1985 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy and holds a law degree from the University of Miami School of Law. Earlier this year he became the first four-star vice commandant in Coast Guard history.
“The men and women of the United States Coast Guard not only enforce maritime law, preserve the environment and protect our homeland on land, sea and in the air; they also protect us from cyber threats,” said Anne Brengle, president, Coast Guard Foundation. “These brave individuals who serve our maritime community on so many fronts deserve our gratitude and support. We are humbled to recognize their service at the Pacific Area Awards Dinner in San Francisco.”
The Coast Guard Foundation’s Pacific Area Awards Dinner will be held on Friday, September 23, 2016 at the Marriott Marquis, 780 Mission Street, San Francisco, California. A cocktail reception will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner and the program following at 7 p.m.
