Shipmates,
Yesterday I attended the World Maritime Day Conference. 2008 marks the 31st observance of World Maritime Day and the 60th anniversary of the founding of the
International Maritime Organization (link). The IMO milestone is based on the adoption of the IMO Convention by the United Nations in Geneva in 1948. The celebration traditionally takes place in London where IMO is located and in one other parallel event. The parallel event this year was held in Greece. The United States Coast Guard will host the parallel event next year and you will hear more about that in future months.
The U.S. observance was held today in New York and was sponsored by the North American Marine Environmental Protection Association (
NAMEPA) and the North American Maritime Ministry Association (
NAMMA) which provides ministry to seafarers through port chaplains.
I participated in two events, an evening dinner, and conducted several media interviews. At the NAMMA luncheon I accepted on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard the
Joe R. Gerson Humanitarian Award . We have worked very hard in the last several years to insure the equitable treatment of seafarers. This award acknowledges the hard work and dedication of our people at the port level who must manage the significant challenges related to the treatment of seafarers in an increasingly security conscious operating environment and limited access to and from waterfront facilities and vessels. It also recognizes our attempts to gain legislation to protect seafarers who are abandoned by less than honorable companies.
I also participated on a NAMEPA sponsored panel with Captain Andy Windbow from IMO and Adolf Adrion, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd one of the world's largest container shipping companies. The topic was the power of partnerships. Topics raised and discussed with the audience included our recent changes to the Marine Safety Program, TWIC implementation, amendments to MARPOL Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships), piracy in the Horn of Africa, and the general challenges associated with global shipping.
We had representatives at two other panels. RADM Brian Salerno participated in the panel; "Terminal Access ? A Barrier to Seafarers." Just this week, RADM Salerno issued an
ALCOAST on this topic that is a good reminder of the need to recognize the need for Seafarers to have shore leave opportunities and for Seafarer Welfare Organizations to have reasonable access to the facilities necessary to provide their valued services.
CDR Mike Roldan also participated in the panel; "Oil Reception Facilities ? Tool for Facilitating Compliance"
Captain Bob O'Brien from Sector New York led a group of local Coast Guard participants as well.
Our ability to partner, not only with industry, but non-governmental organizations, associations, and international governing bodies is critical to achieving global solutions and aligning what we are required to do as regulators domestically. These relationships are particularly critical in complex issues such as air emissions from ships, ballast water management/invasive species, and seafarer access in U.S. ports.
We thank both NAMMA and NAMEPA for their support, partnership and leadership.