Pittsburgh Selected for 2012 Joint HSC/AMSC Conference

Preparations are underway for the 2012 Joint National Harbor Safety and Area Maritime Security Committee Conference to be held in Pittsburgh, PA, during September 2012.  The 2012 conference will be hosted by port and industry groups from the Pittsburgh area with support from Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley, and Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh. The Transportation Research Board (TRB) will perform in the vital role as conference coordinator. 

We are still in the early stages of planning the conference and we welcome you input on such things as the agenda, session topics, and conference theme.  If you would like to participate the the planning teleconferences, please contact Mr. Dennis Fahr at 202-372-1531.

We look forward to hearing your input (commenting to this blog is also welcome!) and we'll see you in Pittsburgh next September.

New link added: Mariner's Advisory Committee for the Bay and River Delaware

At the request of it's Chair, Capt. Steve Roberts, we've added a link to the Mariner's Advisory Committee for the Bay and River Delaware (MAC) to our list of HSC's or similar water safety and/or security organizations.  We highly encourage you to check out their website and explore some of their great work.

From the MAC website:

"The Mariner's Advisory Committee is comprised of Master Mariners and River Pilots, and concerns itself with safety of navigation, with particular regard to large ocean-going vessels.

Formed in 1964, the Committee works closely with the U.S. Coast Guard regarding appropriate drafts and the safe and environmentally sound operation of its river and bay.  As a result of this committee's efforts, the Delaware River ports have a history of more than 40 years of operating in a navigationally safe manner."

If you participate in a Harbor Safety Committee or similar group which promotes maritime/waterfront safety and/or security, and wish us to publish a link to your website, please let us know by commenting to this post. 

Please keep our comment and posting policies in mind and recognize that the U.S. Coast Guard does not endorse any non-government websites, companies, or applications.

Final Program and E-Sessions now available for the National HSC/AMSC Conference!

The Joint Harbor Safety Committee (HSC) and Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC) Conference occurred on June 7-9, 2011, in Houston, Texas. The combined event provided an opportunity for the committees to engage in information exchange on current challenges, best practices, case studies, and lessons learned. The conference offered the opportunity for the committees to engage both public- and private-sector leaders on issues relating to marine transportation and harbor safety and security.

The Transportation Research Board co-sponsored this event and has the conference program and e-sessions available for viewing on their conference website.  Click here to view the e-sessions.  This will allow you to watch videos of all the conference presentations.

Waterways Association of Pittsburgh (WAP) 2010 National Harbor Safety Committee of the Year

At the recent Harbor Safety Committees and Area Maritime Committees Conference in Houston, Texas, the Waterways Association of Pittsburgh was awarded the 2010 National Harbor Safety Committee of the Year award by Mr. Dana Goward. A press release is attached.

Press Release-Harbor Safety Updated

HSC Blog Welcome Letter

Last June Mr. Rajiv Khandpur sent a letter outlining the use and benefits of this blog.  If you didn't get the letter, you can read a copy of it here:

Blog Intro Letter

2011 National HSC/AMSC Conference Agenda

Photo courtesy of Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau

The agenda for next week's HSC/AMSC conference in Houston is set and available from the Transportation Research Board.  Click HERE for a link to the current agenda.

Some highlights include:

• A welcoming keynote address from the Commandant of the Coast Guard, ADM Bob Papp
• A first day networking luncheon
• The HSC of the Year award presentation
• A luncheon presentation from RADM Sinclair Harris, USN on The Connection between Transnational Crime and Terrorism
• The social event at a Houston Astros Ballgame
• Presentations from Coast Guard Director of Marine Transportation Systems Management, Mr. Dana Goward and the incoming Eighth Coast Guard District Commander, RADM Roy Nash
• Plus many informative presentations and breakout sessions.

You can still sign up to attend the conference online HERE.

We're looking forward to seeing you in Houston next week!

2011 Joint Harbor Safety Committees (HSCs) and Area Maritime Security Committees (AMSCs) Conference Update

The 2011 Joint Harbor Safety and Area Maritime Security Committees Conference will be held June 7-9, 2011, at the Hilton Americas Hotel in Houston, TX. This year’s conference is being hosted by Coast Guard Sectors Houston-Galveston and Port Arthur, and our port and industry partners from the Upper Texas Coast, along with the Transportation Research Board (TRB).

The theme of this year’s conference is “Safeguarding the Nation's Maritime Gateways.” The conference will consist of two distinct program sessions: a Coast Guard-only session (addressing topics internal to the CG) will be held on 6 June, and; the general session will begin on 7 June. The general session is open to all registrants, and will feature many senior leaders from federal, state, and local governments, and maritime industry to stimulate lively discussion of topics within the safety and security arena. Discussion panels will address such topics as the USCG Authorization Act, towing safety, ocean policy and coastal marine spatial planning, STCW code, CDC security, alternative energy issues, and best practices and lessons learned. Registration is now open and must be completed via the TRB website at: http://trb.org/Calendar/Blurbs/Joint_Harbor_Safety_Committee_and_Area_Maritime_Se_163950.aspx

Planning conferences are continuing via phone on a biweekly basis. The next telephone conference is scheduled for 2:00pm EST on Wednesday, 9 Feb. The focus of the next teleconference is to finalize topics and speakers. If you would like to participate in the telephone conference or otherwise contribute your thoughts, suggestions and input to conference, please contact:

Harbor Safety Committees: Represented by Oceans and Transportation Policy Division (CG-5521)
Dennis Fahr, Dennis.Fahr@uscg.mil, 202-372-1531
LCDR Charles Bright, Charles.J.Bright@uscg.mil, 202-372-1530

Area Maritime Security Committees: Represented by Domestic Ports Division (CG-5541)
LCDR Kevin Reed, Kevin.B.Reed@uscg.mil, 202-372-1109
LTJG Alex Maza, Alexander.J.Maza@uscg.mil, 202-372-1110LTJG William Gasperetti, William.N.Gasperetti@uscg.mil, 202-372-1139