Started in 1995, the award recognizes corporations and businesses involved in marine facility or vessel operations which have demonstrated sustained excellence and outstanding achievement in protecting the marine environment. It also encourages innovations in operations, maintenance, cargo handling, refueling and training while providing a means to share best practices with others in the maritime community.
11/27/2017: Illegal passenger vessel operations – A risk to safety, credentialed mariners, and legitimate operators
Illegal operations and the potential dangers they present have existed since the inception of passenger vessel regulations. In recent years, however, the introduction of certain smart phone apps to the hospitality and transportation industries has exacerbated the issue by making it easier for property owners to enter into agreements to temporarily lease, charter, or rent their homes or vehicles to interested parties for compensation. As expected, emerging business ventures are now dedicated to boat rentals and water taxis using similar business plans and smart phone apps. In this post, the Coast Guard discusses some of the risks associated with illegal passenger operations and what the boating public and legitimate operators can do to protect themselves.
10/24/2017: Policy letter regarding credentialing of seafarers working on board Hurricane Marie relief vessels in Puerto Rico and USVI
This policy letter provides the guidelines to be used by sector commanders and Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) when considering requests for vessels to participate in this relief effort. This policy letter will expire on Jan. 31, 2018. The Coast Guard will use this policy as a guide for determining appropriate manning of vessels providing relief support.
10/23/2017: Nat’l Maritime Center provides guidance for merchant mariners using new Homeport 2.0
This post provides users with information regarding the Merchant Mariner Application Status and Merchant Mariner Credential Verification query tools on Homeport 2.0.
10/10/2017: Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee October 2017 Meeting
The Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee and its working groups are scheduled to meet October 18-19, 2017, at the United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center in Martinsburg, WV. Although the meetings are open to the public, attendees must pre-register to be admitted.
