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In an unusual turn of events the TSA (United States’ Transportation Security Agency) has launched a blog! While the review on NPR’s show “On The Media” was positive, with the agency reportedly solving problems identified by readers, you have to wonder about the name, “Evolution Of Security“, and the bloggers themselves. You can find the blogger profiles HERE but the following is an example;

Ethel
Hi! My name is Ethel and I’m from Wisconsin. I like music, I love ice cream, and I adore weird facts: Did you know that elephants can smell water from as far away as three miles? I joined the TSA about a year ago - prior to that I attended MIT where I earned degrees in Biology, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, and had the amazing opportunity to work on projects like designing artificial gravity systems for NASA.

Noticeably missing is a total lack of coverage about issues related to TWIC - the Transortation Worker’s Identification card. We have also failed to find any discussion related to Maritime Affairs.

We only have two questions… When will the NMC or MARAD launch a blog? Will they be responsive to reader comments?

Related Links:

• Evolution Of Security Blog
• Maritime Licensing Blog
• NYTimes Review

Drawing by Louise Jennison

To help protect the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale population, NOAA Fisheries Service is reminding mariners that the start of calving (birthing) season begins Nov. 15, and continues through April 15. The calving season is particularly critical because pregnant mothers and new-born calves are susceptible to ocean-surface traffic.

NOAA tell us;

“Protecting right whale mothers and their young is critical to the recovery of the population,” said Barb Zoodsma, NOAA Fisheries Service right whale biologist. “The loss of any right whale is of concern, and we ask for everyone to adhere to measures that protect this critically endangered species.”

Each year, pregnant females migrate southward more than 1,000 miles from feeding areas off Canada and New England to the warm, calm, coastal waters off South Carolina, Georgia and northeastern Florida to give birth and nurse their young. These waters are the only known calving area for the species.

Collisions with ships and entanglement in fixed fishing gear are the two greatest threats to the recovery of North Atlantic right whales, which is why it is important that all mariners and fishers are aware of the regulations.

Beautiful and majestic species from the far reaches of the world are extinct as a direct result of commercial activities, the only difference today is you can help. The following are action items to help get the message out.

Mariners;

• Use the resources listed below as the basis for your weekly safety meeting.
• Spend time with your lookouts finding ways to improve detection.
• Discuss the topic with your fellow watchstanders.

Shore Side support;

• Ask your HS&E department to print NOAA’s letter in their newsletter.
• Discuss the topic at the watercooler, meetings and during ship visits.
• Call the ship and ask what you can do to provide support.

Everyone;

• Leave comments below with any tips, ideas or thoughts on this important topic!

Information;
Right Whale Mandatory Ship Reporting System placard
LATEST RIGHT WHALE SIGHTING CHART - NorthEast
LATEST RIGHT WHALE SIGHTING - SouthEast

Recommendations;

• Federal law prohibits approaching or remaining within 500 yards of right whales.
• Recommended routes are in place for mariners entering or leaving the ports of Jacksonville and Fernandina, Fla., and Brunswick, Ga. The routes are expected to reduce the chances of ship strikes with whales.
• Speeds of 10 knots or less are recommended when consistent with safe navigation.
• Always wear polarized sunglasses and stay alert in right whale habitat. Although right whales are large animals, they have dark skin, no dorsal fin, and can remain at, or just below the water’s surface making them extremely difficult to see.

Reporting;

• Steps to take to avoid collisions
• Ship Reporting System Fact Sheet
• Northeastern Reporting System Boundaries
• Southeastern Reporting System Boundaries
• Right Whale Sightings off the:
  Northeast U.S.
  Southeast U.S.

Links;

• Recommended Vessel Routes
• Ship Strike Reduction Homepage
• Office Of Protected Resources - NOAA
• Whale Disentanglement Team - NOAA
• The International Whaling Commission

I am pleased to report a significant amount of positive feedback from mariners when discussing new MARAD (Maritime Administration) initiatives. In addition to being on the forefront of new LNG programs they are aggressively pursuing new ways of providing job opportunities for U.S. Mariners and, the *word on the street* is they are even working with the IRS to protect our interests with regards to the Sailor Tax Deduction Debacle.

One of the programs that gets too little attention is the Marine Highway Initiative. What is the program nicknamed “American’s Marine Highway” all about. Maritime Administrator, Sean T. Connaughton tells us;

Our marine highways are a cost effective, yet under utilized, method for the movement of passengers, containers, and bulk cargoes that is especially fuel efficient, safe, and reliable.

Accelerated use of the waterborne transportation mode holds forth a special promise for tomorrow in; reducing traffic congestion, enhancing freight flow, expanding freight capacity, and providing a new pathway for hazardous materials.

Maybe it’s because MARAD touts advantageous like “new pathway for hazardous materials” over headline grabbing sound bites that key into popular culture (how about “America’s Green Highway - Moving Cargo While Reducing Greenhouse Gas”) but the program contains major benefits for industry, consumers and the environment.

Despite a long line of marketing errors they might finally be on the right track with the attractive logo seen below and a new video that makes you ask; Why haven’t we been doing this all along?

 

 America's Marine Highway: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

For those mariners awaiting license review at the Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center ( USCG NMC ) here’s a breakdown of the status of all applications.

Capt. David Stalfort has published a memo with the following comments that might help you figure out what this all means.

The Quality Assurance Division at NMC conducted a nationwide analysis of 11,619 applications
that are over 60 days old to identify the cause of delays. The results show that 45% of these
pending applications are sitting on shelves waiting for mariners to send missing information to
their evaluator. A large number of applications (28%) are currently being undergoing security,
medical and professional qualification evaluations. A good number of applications (16%) are
sitting idle waiting for mariners to come to the REC to be tested.

You can download the memo HERE and find out “What’s New” at the NMC HERE.

The USCG just announced efficiency newsletters from the National Maritime Center. They tell us:

The Coast Guard maintains an active public and industry awareness outreach program aimed at communicating information about the Mariner Licensing and Documentation Program. These mailing lists are one of the innovative ways in which the Coast Guard relays important information.

Here are the lists:

National Maritime Center Updates
[Subscribe/Unsubscribe][Archives]
Information concerning the National Maritime Center’s (NMC) operations, process improvements, and important information on merchant mariner credentials.

NMC Performance Reports
[Subscribe/Unsubscribe][Archives]
Information from the National Maritime Center on credential production performance statistics, including processing time, application inventory, and customer satisfaction. These reports will communicate the results of improvements to credential production processes and customer services.

MLD Program Policy Updates
[Subscribe/Unsubscribe][Archives]
Information from the Mariner Licensing and Documentation program manager at Coast Guard Headquarters on changes to regulations, Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs) and other policy guidance.

REC News/Announcements
[Subscribe/Unsubscribe][Archives]
Announcements concerning Regional Examination Center (REC) locations, hours of operation, contact information and other pertinent REC operations information.

Mariner Information/News
[Subscribe/Unsubscribe][Archives]
Information for individual mariners seeking licenses and/or Merchant Mariner Documents, including changes to the credential application, medical physical and other forms, revisions to checklist, information packets, instruction guides, information for healthcare professionals, selected Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s), NMC Point of Contact (POCs), and other pertinent information.

Coast Guard Approved Courses
[Subscribe/Unsubscribe][Archives]
Information on Coast Guard approved training, courses, examinations, course audits, and other pertinent information.

I’ll been signing up for the “NMC Performance Reports” first as their stats should be unfavorable skewed this month after loosing my wife’s 2/m upgrade. To their credit the application was approved in record time once she was able to get them on the phone.

Looking for some insider information on NMC activities? CLICK HERE for their internal updates and newsletters.

“No longer is a sailor’s life necessarily one of adventure. Deadlines are tight, and manning is at a minimum.” -Rep. Elijah Cummings, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation (Source: MMP News)

Do you think you can name this port? If so visit HERE to vote. This google map is brought to you by World Port Source which provides interactive satellite images, maps and contact information for 2,626 ports in 187 countries around the world.

Also click HERE to quickly find any port using their regional map of the world.

More interested in finding maps for boaters? Panbo has many great tips in his charting category found HERE.

Related Links:

• Google Maps - Maritime Mash-up
• Google Powered Searches For Mariners
• Google Earth For Celestial Navigation?
• Using Google To Track Hurricanes