The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(WASHINGTON) — Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger presented the 2014 Rear Adm. William Benkert Awards at the American Petroleum Institute's annual tanker conference Thursday. The awards are given to support and recognize maritime industry efforts for their environmental protection programs.
The biennial awards were started in 1995 and honor industry leaders in the field of marine safety and environmental protection and provide an opportunity for the Coast Guard to recognize leadership, innovation and creativity found among those members of the maritime industry. They are the premier environmental protection awards presented by the U.S. Coast Guard to members of the marine industry and were designed to distinguish outstanding achievements extending beyond compliance with industry and regulatory standards.
Award recipients are:
• Osprey: Polar Tankers
• Silver: AEP River Operations; Kirby Inland Marine; Marathon Petroleum Co.; and Norwegian Cruise Lines
• Bronze: Alaska Clean Seas
• Honorable mention: SGS Petroleum Service Corp. and Maersk Line, Limited
