18 Jul

Coast Guards says new medical rules will simplify medical evaluations but not boost rejections

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
  The revision of the medical rules comes against a backdrop of casualties involving mariner health issues, such as the 2003 crash of the Staten Island Ferry Andrew J. Barberi. The Coast Guard has taken steps to improve the simplicity, consistency, effectiveness and speed of its medical evaluation process. A new 52-page document posted by the Coast Guard offers mariners…
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18 Jul

Congress considering strict new ballast water standards

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
This Hyde Guardian system on the cruise ship Celebrity Mercury employs filtration and ultra-violet radtion to remove and kill organisms in ballast water. The system, installed by the ship's crew during normal operations, was comissioned in January 2007. A bill pending in the U.S. Congress to prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species by requiring the treatment of ballast water…
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18 Jul

Government extends TWIC deadline following reports of widespread problems

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
The U.S. government is giving mariners an additional seven months to acquire required biometric identification cards. On May 2, 2008 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration announced that the final deadline for acquisition of Transportation Worker Identification Credentials - commonly known as TWIC cards - has been delayed until April 15,…
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18 Jul

New York rejects proposal for floating LNG terminal on Long Island Sound

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
Citing economic, environmental and safety concerns, New York State has rejected a proposal to develop a floating liquefied natural gas terminal on Long Island Sound. “Broadwater Energy does not pass the test,” said New York Gov. David Paterson in announcing the decision on April 10, 2008. The developer, Broadwater Energy, said it still hopes to move ahead, and plans to…
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18 Jul

Cummings: Coast Guard needs more icebreaking capacity

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
The following is the text of a press release issued July 17 by U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, D-Md.:   (WASHINGTON) -- Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, released the statement below following a hearing he convened yesterday to consider the United States’ icebreaking mission needs – both domestically…
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