Friday, August 28, 2009

2007 Harbor Safety Committee of the Year Citation

The Houston–Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee

The Houston–Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (HOGANSAC) is hereby recognized as the 2007 Harbor Safety Committee of the Year for significantly improving marine safety in the Houston–Galveston maritime area. In 2007, HOGANSAC strengthened its enormously successful maritime relationships and improved safety by identifying concerns and creating forums that achieve real-world results through innovation. HOGANSAC influenced policy at the national level through recommendations on deep draft ship entry facilitation, a two-day course of study known as “Brown Water University,” and its facility visit teams for safe access.

HOGANSAC’s Brown Water University grew out of its initial development of a publication to educate junior-level Coast Guard personnel, who were new to the region, on the unique characteristics of Houston’s inland towing operations. First taught in October 2007 to an audience of 30 Coast Guard personnel, the course grew in 2008 to include not only Coast Guard personnel but mariners and industry professionals as well. It is now recognized as an Industry–Coast Guard best practice to rapidly enhance the knowledge and understanding of the roles of industry and the Coast Guard in the inland transportation of goods on U.S. waterways.

HOGANSAC’s Navigation Operations Subcommittee developed safe navigation practices to reduce incidences of passing traffic pulling ships and barges off docks, efforts that resulted in a 25% decrease in parted lines in 2007. HOGANSAC also created facility interview teams who reviewed 256 vessel casualties occurring over a four-year period and implemented recommendations to reduce the number of incidents. The committee’s ATON (aid to navigation) Work Group partnered with Houston Vessel Traffic Service to revise the Quick Response Card in order to facilitate continuity of commercial operations after a self-reported ATON knockdown. ATON self-reporting has increased from 14.8% in 2006 to 48.5% today. HOGANSAC’s Harbor of Safe Refuge Subcommittee developed plans and procedures for conducting risk assessments, consistent with resolutions of the International Maritime Organization, to facilitate decision making when a vessel is in distress or seeking safe refuge. They completed chemical and gas dispersion models, identified offshore safe refuge locations, and created a decision tree for oil, chemical, gas, and other cargo vessels. The Harbor of Safe Refuge model is being incorporated into the South Texas Coastal Area Plan. Outreach and training initiatives for critical decision makers and other stakeholders is under way.

The exceptional actions and distinguished service of the Houston–Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee reflect the strong support and teamwork of both government and industry. The committee’s efforts are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the 2 highest traditions of maritime service and industry.

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