Page 6: of Marine News Magazine (February 2014)

SUBSCRIBESubscribe to the print or electronic edition of MarineNews at www.marinelink.com/renewsubscr/Renew04/subscribe.html or e-mail Kathleen Hickey at [email protected] DAILY NEWS via E-MAIL Twice every business day we provide breaking news, tailored to your speciÞ cation, delivered FREE directly to your e-mail. To subscribe visit http://maritimetoday.com/login.aspx POST & SEARCH JOBSJob listings are updated daily and help match employers with qualiÞ ed employees. Post a position or keep abreast of new employment opportunities at http://www.maritimejobs.com ADVERTISE MN offers a number of print and electronic advertising packages. To see our editorial calendar and advertising rates, visit www.marinelink.com/AdvRates/Rates.asp Online Resources EDITOR?S NOTENow clear of the holidays and into an already exciting 2014 on the waterfront, we Þ nd ourselves plowing ahead with the proverbial bone in our teeth. ThatÕs because, beyond my questionable nautical metaphor, there are big things happening for the domestic workboat industry in the coming months. As you dig deeper into this issue of MarineNews, you will soon see that much of that revolves around the United States Coast Guard. As you do, look also look for the pace of regulatory rulemaking, boatbuilding and mariner credentialing to increase exponentially. While some industry stakeholders tend to view the Coast Guard as the bane of their compli- ance battles on so many fronts, the outreach of the nationÕs Þ rst line of defense for homeland security are much more diverse than that. In this edition, the breadth of the Coast GuardÕs impact on the nationÕs workboat builders becomes clearer than properly treated ballast water. And, even in the face of the ongoing Beltway budget battles, that impact is set to grow in the coming months and years. ItÕs all good. The story starts on page 32. Beyond its $30 billion recapitalization program, however, the Coast GuardÕs rulemaking role is anything but dormant. With as many as 68 rulemaking efforts underway as of 31 December, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant ADM Robert Papp has a lot to clear off his desk before he passes the baton to his as yet unnamed successor. For example, inland stakeholders hope that the long awaited subchapter M towing vessel rule will Þ nally come to fruition this spring. Separately, the prospect of federal regulatory approvals for the carriage of fracking waste on the nationÕs inland barge ß eets also hangs in the balance. These issues Ð impacting both operating expenses and revenues alike Ð will dramatically affect the bottom lines of domestic operators. And, as February comes and quickly goes, as many as 200,000 credentialed U.S. mariners are wondering how the National Maritime Center will keep up with the more than doubling of its medical approvals workload in the coming year. It is never easy to predict what will come next, especially when it comes to the world of maritime affairs. Last month, for example, the U.S. Maritime Administration woke up from its self-imposed four-year slumber to host a high proÞ le National Maritime Symposium in Washington, DC. The gathering, also intended to re-awaken national awareness of the domestic maritime industry and its many problems, certainly stirred up emotions with passionate speeches and pointed rhetoric. What remains to be seen is whether the brief attendance by several prominent federal lawmakers will eventually translate into concrete action from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Outgoing Virginia Secretary of Transportation and former U.S. Maritime Administrator Sean Connaughton said it best last month when, also within the pages of this edition, he de- clared, ÒIncredibly, it seems that the federal constraints are increasing at the same time that their Þ nancial commitment going down. It is hurting jobs, the economy, and American competitive- ness. Something has to change.Ó I couldnÕt agree more. What about you? [email protected] Keefe, Editor, [email protected] Download our AppsiPhone & Android6 MNFebruary 2014 MN FEB14 Layout 1-17.indd 6MN FEB14 Layout 1-17.indd 61/17/2014 11:06:41 AM1/17/2014 11:06:41 AM