Senate panel confirms Buzby as MarAd administrator

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(WASHINGTON) — A U.S. Senate committee on Thursday confirmed retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark Buzby as the new administrator of the Maritime Administration (MarAd) and appointed Robert Sumwalt III to a two-year term as chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), American Shipper reported.

Buzby, who was nominated for the post by President Trump in June, had a military career that spanned 34 years, including at-sea positions primarily on Navy cruisers and destroyers, according to the White House. Buzby's nomination was confirmed by the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

The position of MarAd administrator had been vacant since the mid-January departure of Paul "Chip" Jaenichen, a President Obama appointee, days before Trump’s inauguration. Jaenichen is now chief operating officer at HMS Global Maritime.

Sumwalt has been a member of the NTSB since August 2006, including two two-year stints as vice chairman. He spent 32 years as a pilot, including 24 years as an airline pilot, before joining the agency. Sumwalt replaces Christopher Hart, whose two-year stint as chairman expired in March. Hart remains a member of the board.

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By Professional Mariner Staff