Licensing and training – Professional Mariner

12 Aug

Barrere, Hanley, Marino to be honored with AOTOS Awards

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry NewsLicensing and training, shipping

(NEW YORK) — The United Seamen’s Service (USS) has announced that the 56th annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) Awards will honor three champions of American maritime: Capt. Willie Barrere, national president of American Maritime Officers; Edward Hanley, chief operating officer of Maersk Line Ltd., and Vincent Marino, chief executive officer of CMC-ITI-CCS. A special recognition plaque will be…

03 Jul

Coast Guard renames districts for geographic regions

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsLicensing and training, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday the renaming of its operational districts from numerical to geographic designations, a key initiative under Force Design 2028 (FD2028). This strategic change, directed by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on May 21, aims to indicate more accurately the regions they serve and represent. Renaming operational districts revises a numbered system established…

26 Jun

Gard report reveals ‘troubling’ increase in crew deaths

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsLicensing and training

(LONDON) — Gard on Wednesday released its second Crew Claims Report, outlining key trends and developments in seafarer injuries, illnesses and fatalities worldwide. Drawing on claims data from 2024 and insights from over 6,000 seafarers, the report reveals a troubling increase in crew deaths and emphasizes the need to further prioritize mental and physical well-being at sea. The Gard Crew…

25 Jun

IMO targets harassment on annual Day of the Seafarer

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsIMO, Licensing and training, shipping

(LONDON) — The International Maritime Organization (IMO) on June 25 leads the global celebration of the Day of the Seafarer – a day designated by the United Nations to recognize the critical role seafarers play in global trade, security, and the flow of essential goods. This year, the theme #MyHarassmentFreeShip calls attention to the urgent need to eliminate bullying and…

19 Jun

Survey targets mental health, well-being of mariners

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsLicensing and training

(SEATTLE) — The University of Washington invites mariners from all segments of the U.S. maritime industry to take 10 to 15 minutes to anonymously complete the 2025 Mariner Mental Health & Well-being Survey by clicking here or by scanning the QR code. Who is eligible to participate? We want to hear from sailing, credentialed mariners who work on U.S.-flagged vessels…

16 Jun

Kings Point graduate named acting head of MarAd

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsLicensing and training, MarAd

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Thursday that Sang H. Yi has been named acting maritime administrator. As acting head of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd), Yi will play a critical role in advancing the Trump administration’s domestic shipbuilding goals and restoring the nation’s maritime dominance. Yi will lead MarAd’s efforts to maintain and modernize the vital infrastructure…

02 Jun

Canada’s marine sector facing critical workforce gap

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsLicensing and training

(OTTAWA, Ontario) — The Canadian Marine Careers Foundation (CMCF) has released the Canadian Seafarers Pathway Study, a first-of-its-kind comprehensive report revealing critical labor and skills shortages in the country’s marine transportation sector. The study identifies a pressing need to attract and train new talent, with domestic vessel operators needing to hire 8,300 new workers to meet industry demand and replace…

02 Jun

MarAd launches website for maritime innovation

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsLicensing and training, MarAd

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) announced Friday that the agency-supported U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation website is now live. The center and its secretariat, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), will promote the study, research, development, assessment and deployment of emerging marine technologies and practices related to the maritime transportation system. It will be critical for engaging industry,…

22 May

Trump touts ‘strength at sea’ on National Maritime Day

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsLicensing and training, Merchant mariners

The following is a National Maritime Day proclamation from President Donald Trump: "More than 200 years ago, the American steamship S.S. Savannah set sail across the Atlantic, becoming the first vessel of its kind to complete the journey. That daring voyage marked the start of American maritime excellence. From that first crossing to the increasingly important shipping lanes of today,…

22 May

New leadership, new ‘bold blueprint’ for Coast Guard

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, UncategorizedLicensing and training, U.S. Coast Guard

(NEW LONDON, Conn.) — Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced Force Design 2028 (FD2028) Wednesday during the Coast Guard Academy commencement ceremony. This initiative provides a blueprint to transform the Coast Guard into a stronger, more ready and capable fighting force. Speaking at the ceremony, Noem expressed respect for the service and committed to advocating for funding support. Noem’s…