Page 43: of Marine News Magazine (April 2012)

www.marinelink.com MN43said the biggest challenge for smallresponse companies is finding and keeping good people. Nall began with PENCO as a commercial diver and tug operator when the companyformed in 1973 and will be receiving a Legacy award at the Clean Pacific Conference in May. Employees with companies like PENCO are the boots on the ground and must be experi- enced, technically capable and begood leaders. As subcontractors, were often the first ones on scene,? Nall said. We have to have a well-trained, well-vet- ted, responsible group of employees.? Drug screening, background checks, fitness and range of motion tests are all part of the comprehensive screen- ing process potential PENCO employees go through. Safety is our first priority,? Nall said. Weve got a really good base of people,? and he added, We have loyal employees because we treat them well.? STATEOF WASHINGTON CONTINGENCYPLAN CHANGESIn 2011, the Governor of the State of Washington passed a law mandat- ing the Department of Ecology to enhance requirements under the state oil spill contingency plan rule by December 2012. This mandate was in response to reports that came out of the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. NRC is a major envi- ronmental contracting firm on the West Coast and has voiced concerns regarding the proposed changes to Washington States contingency plan. Were generally not opposed to new regulations,? said Steve Candito, but what we are opposed to is requirements that are really not cost effective. And thats what were seeing with the vessel of opportunity and new technology proposals being put forth. If these things are really shown to work and the safety issues are addressed, then we would be more supportive.? But Candito is con- cerned that some of the new require- ments proposed are just knee jerk? reactions, coming out of the Deepwater Horizon spill. Specifically, Candito is concerned about a proposed requirement to have technology that detects oil spills atnight or in fog. We generally do not pick up oil at night,? Candito said.There are some nighttime ops, but were really not physically out their skimming and doing complicatedNew Orleans(504) 780-8100 ? Fax (504) 780-8200 Norfolk(757) 545-0100 ? Fax (757) 545-8004 Houston(281) 452-5887 ? Fax (281) 452-9682 www.mcdonoughmarine.comwww.mcdonoughmarine.comLARGEST RENTAL FLEET OF SPUD, DECK AND MATERIAL BARGESBARGES 60 TO 400 LENGTHBARGES 60 TO 400 LENGTH? 16 Fleeting locations inland rivers, Gulf, East and West Coast ? Inland and Ocean towing services LARGEST RENTAL FLEET OF SPUD, DECK AND MATERIAL BARGES