Coast Guard chief calls for reliable funding, cites culture progress

Coast Guard chief calls for reliable funding, cites culture progress

(WASHINGTON) — Adm. Linda Fagan, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, delivered the annual State of the Coast Guard Address at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Fagan expressed pride in recent Coast Guard operations and the increasing global impact the service has in protecting our economic prosperity and national security, alongside the Department of Homeland…
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MarAd releases strategic plan to boost mariner workforce

MarAd releases strategic plan to boost mariner workforce

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) has released its Mariner Workforce Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2023-2027. This plan outlines six key goals to grow our nation’s mariner workforce through recruitment, training and retention. The plan also addresses demonstration and research priorities that could be implemented to further improve mariner recruitment, training and retention. MarAd included input from government,…
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Polar Star handles fast ice, wraps up Antarctic mission

Polar Star handles fast ice, wraps up Antarctic mission

(SOUTHERN OCEAN) — The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) and crew departed McMurdo Station, Antarctica, on Feb. 12 after operating for 51 days below the Antarctic Circle in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2024. Polar Star and crew broke a 38-mile channel through fast ice to create a navigable route for vessels to reach McMurdo Station and…
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New format coming for merchant mariner credentials

New format coming for merchant mariner credentials

(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — On March 1, the U.S. Coast Guard will begin issuing merchant mariner credentials (MMCs) in a new format. This new mariner credential will replace the legacy passport-style red book and associated endorsement labels. The complexity and degraded reliability of the custom printers used to print the MMC books necessitated a change to the credential printing process. The…
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Philly Shipyard cuts steel for Cal Maritime training vessel

Philly Shipyard cuts steel for Cal Maritime training vessel

(PHILADELPHIA) — TOTE Services, Philly Shipyard and California State University Maritime Academy on Friday celebrated the cutting of steel for the fifth national security multi-mission vessel (NSMV), which is destined for Cal Maritime in Vallejo, Calif. This ceremonial event signifies the start of construction for the ship and occurred at Philly Shipyard’s plasma-cutting machine as the button was pressed to…
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Metal Shark adds third Louisiana facility, seeks workers

Metal Shark adds third Louisiana facility, seeks workers

(JEANERETTE, La.) — Following the recent divestiture of its Alabama-based ship refit and repair business, Metal Shark is expanding its presence in its home state of Louisiana with the addition of a third manufacturing facility and an aggressive recruitment effort. “Last year, Birdon America Inc. approached Metal Shark about acquiring our Alabama operations,” said Metal Shark CEO Chris Allard. “They…
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MarAd’s Phillips praises dedication of U.S. mariners

MarAd’s Phillips praises dedication of U.S. mariners

(WASHINGTON) — The following is a message released Thursday by retired Navy Rear Adm. Ann Phillips, U.S. maritime administrator: "As we find ourselves in the home stretch of another trip around the sun, I want to pause and take the time to reflect on how your efforts make MarAd (U.S. Maritime Administration) incredibly successful year in and year out. Thank…
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Crews of four U.S.-flagged vessels honored for heroism

Crews of four U.S.-flagged vessels honored for heroism

(NEW YORK) — The officers and crew of four American-flag vessels were recognized for heroism at sea at the 54th annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) Awards hosted by the United Seamen’s Service on Dec. 1. The plaques honored the mariners aboard the following vessels: M/V Midnight Sun, Port of Tacoma Harbor In September 2022, an electrical fire broke…
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Fagan cites ‘broken trust’ in Coast Guard, mandates changes

Fagan cites ‘broken trust’ in Coast Guard, mandates changes

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Coast Guard on Wednesday published an Accountability and Transparency Review (ATR) report on the service’s workforce culture and organizational climate. The report was accompanied by a memorandum from Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan, which directed 33 initial actions to address recommendations in the report. Fagan’s directed actions are designed to ensure that every member of…
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United Seamen’s Service honors Barker, Pasha, Vokac

United Seamen’s Service honors Barker, Pasha, Vokac

(NEW YORK) — The United Seamen’s Service (USS) presented its 54th annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) Awards on Dec. 1 to Mark Barker, president of Interlake Maritime Services; George Pasha IV, president and CEO of The Pasha Group; and Adam Vokac, district and national president of the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA). The traditional silver statuette of Christopher…
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