Navigating the Regulatory Seas

A gentle reminder from your friendly Maritime Administration reminding US merchant mariners about the importance of obtaining a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) prior to September 25, 2008.

Memorandom

From today’s Holland and Knight:

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) established a Check Card Status site where maritime workers who have enrolled for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) may check the status of their applications.

Another site provides a list of TWIC Identification Verification Documents.

In November 2007, VADM James C. Card, Ret. completed an independent assessment and analysis of the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety program. Below is taken from the introduction and gives a brief over view of the document:

Recently, Congress and the industry have criticized the Coast Guard because they believe Coast Guard Marine Safety performance and service have deteriorated. Many point to the Coast Guard’s increased role in Maritime Security and its move to the Department of Homeland Security as primary reasons for the deterioration. Coast Guard Marine Safety professionals also have concerns about the Coast Guard’s lack of focus on Marine Safety as an important mission.

The results gathered in this report show that concerns and suggestions fall into six major categories. Listed by priority they are: Strategy; Leadership; People; Policy; Customer Focus; and Organization.

Here is the link to the rest of the document Coast Guard Marine Safety Analysis

The DOT will hold a public meeting on April 8–9, 2008, in connection with its NPRM on passenger vessel disability access guidelines.
DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published on January 23, 2007 (72 FR 2833), is reopened April 8,2008, through April 23, 2008, to allow for the posting of comments related to the meeting held on April 8–9, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.
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Although this meeting is region specific, these Coast Guard sessions occur in each CG sector and are quite worthwhile. Check with your port captain for the Industry Day in your district.

Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England will be holding a small passenger vessel industry day on Thursday March 20th, 2008.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
• Owner, Operators, and Crew Members of inspected small passenger vessels.
• Other parties with an interest in the small passenger vessel industry.
• Parties involved in the construction and repair of certificated small
passenger vessels.
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