Licensing and training – Professional Mariner

21 Apr

NMC update: Civilian staff return to work, RECs still closed

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

(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Coast Guard remain without an appropriation providing full fiscal year 2026 funding, National Maritime Center (NMC) civilian staff have returned to work under alternative funding arrangements. As this funding stream is not a full appropriation and the duration of funding is uncertain, NMC staff have resumed normal…

16 Apr

ABS examines human readiness as maritime technology advances

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsLicensing and training, technology

(HOUSTON) — “Emerging maritime technologies require qualification processes that extend beyond technical maturity; human readiness levels (HRLs) provide a structured approach that supports safer operations while reducing unnecessary cost and rework.” That is an excerpt from the latest industry-leading research from ABS, "Beyond Technology Readiness: Applying Human Readiness Levels in Maritime Systems," which examines existing gaps in maritime human‑system integration…

10 Apr

Corroded cooling pipe cited for flooding aboard Oliver Hazard Perry

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsLicensing and training, NTSB, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — About 2200 on May 10, 2025, the sailing school vessel Oliver Hazard Perry started taking on water while moored at Fort Adams State Park dock in Newport, R.I. About 0730 the following morning, a crewmember was awoken by an alarm and discovered the flooding. An estimated 21,000 gallons of seawater entered the engine room and the forward auxiliary…

01 Apr

Florida tug captain charged in collision that killed three children

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsLicensing and training, Tugboats and towing

(MIAMI) — A tugboat captain has been charged with seaman’s manslaughter after operating a barge with obstructed visibility and without a proper lookout, resulting in a fatal collision in Biscayne Bay that killed three children. “Our hearts are with the families of the children who lost their lives in this tragedy,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quinones for the Southern…

20 Mar

NTSB cites pilot’s ‘expectation bias’ in grounding of bulker

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsLicensing and training, NTSB, shipping

(WASHINGTON) — On Jan. 8, 2025, at 1813 local time, the dry bulk carrier Algoma Verity was transiting upbound on the Delaware River near Philadelphia, Pa., when it ran aground outside the channel. The vessel repositioned and continued its upbound transit, outside the channel, until it grounded again at 1828. Algoma Verity was refloated three days later. No pollution or…

20 Mar

All American building research cat for Texas science institute

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsLicensing and training, shipbuilding

(BELLINGHAM, Wash.) —All American Marine has begun construction on a 78-by-26-foot aluminum catamaran research vessel for the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI). The vessel is being built on Teknicraft Design’s proven multi-purpose research platform and is designed to support scientific research, survey, and teaching missions throughout the Gulf of Mexico, including offshore operations up to 150 nautical miles…

19 Mar

NMC updates guidance as government shutdown continues

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

(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — Due to the government shutdown, the National Maritime Center (NMC) and all Regional Examination Centers (RECs) remain closed. Customer walk-in service at the RECs is suspended. Examinations and other REC appointments are canceled. To mitigate the impact caused by the government shutdown, the NMC has implemented the following measures: • The Application Submission Portal (ASAP) for submission…

09 Mar

Hanwha Philly delivers NSMV to Maine Maritime Academy

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsLicensing and training, shipbuilding

(PHILADELPHIA) — Hanwha Philly Shipyard, in coordination with TOTE Services, delivered the third of five national security multi-mission vessels (NSMVs) to the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) on Thursday. The new vessel, State of Maine, will be home-ported at Maine Maritime Academy. State of Maine will be repositioned to Portland, Maine, next month for an official arrival ceremony and formal handover…

25 Feb

Destroyer CO removed from command after collision with oiler

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsLicensing and training

(WASHINGTON) — The commander of a guided-missile destroyer that collided with an oiler in the Caribbean Sea earlier this month has been removed from command, USNI News reported. Cmdr. James Koffi was removed from command of USS Truxtun (DDG-103) by U.S. 4th Fleet commander Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello following a Feb. 11 collision with U.S. Navy fleet oiler USNS Supply…

20 Feb

NMC takes steps to mitigate impact caused by shutdown

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsLicensing and training, NMC

(WASHINGTON) —Due to the government shutdown, the National Maritime Center (NMC) and all Regional Examination Centers (RECs) remain closed. Customer walk-in service at the RECs is suspended. Examinations and other REC appointments are canceled. To mitigate the impact caused by the government shutdown, the NMC has implemented the following measures: • The Application Submission Portal (ASAP) for submission of applications…