Page 6: of Marine News Magazine (June 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 NOTEIt?s the perfect time to be putting out our annual Dredging and Marine Construction edi- tion. I could tell you that I planned this edition to coincide with news that the House-Senate conference committee had issued its report on the long-awaited water resources development legislation, but since the bill still hasn?t gone to a vote as we go to press, I think I?ll hold my wa- ter (no pun intended). As I type this note, the 2014 Water Resources and Reform Development Act (WRRDA) is on its way to Congress for approval. And, not a moment too soon. Keeping our  ngers crossed for WRRDA?s passage, we also issue our own analysis of the domestic dredging situation. This month, Susan Buchanan takes you from Capitol Hill, down south to Louisiana and back into the heartland for a sobering report on America?s marine in- frastructure. With (unadjusted) spending up tenfold, actual cubic yards of dredge spoil moved down by half since the 1960?s and the President?s budget for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cut to the bone, the bene ts of a bipartisan WRRDA bill can?t come soon enough. If it doesn?t, we?re all in a world of trouble. The story starts on page 34. As Jim Weakley, Lake Carriers? Association President since 2003, puts the exclamation point on Susan Buchanan?s dredging SITREP, the need to reform the nation?s responder immunity rules for our salvage community looms as a potentially bigger issue. In truth, there are as many critical issues facing salvors and the collective response stakeholder sector as there are ways to right a foundering ship. And, given the greater good done by responders everywhere ? includ- ing far- ung places like the Palmyra Atoll national monument and wildlife refuge ? where the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and The Nature Conservancy cooperatively work together to protect delicate environments ? I?m not sure what?s more important. It?s also about this time of year that we tend to turn our attention away from school and onto visions of leisure and relaxation. That?s okay for families, but on the waterfront, this is no time to take your foot off the gas. Manpower shortages continue to plague all maritime sec- tors. That?s because today?s critical need for competent human resources won?t be solved by the current group who are set to pass the baton and retire within the next 15 years. Waiting in the wings are North America?s youth, some as young as the tender age of  ve. But, not if we don?t educate them as to the possibilities that await them in the exciting world of marine transporta- tion. That?s where the rapidly emerging secondary education sector comes in. As many as 20 public schools, stretching from California to New York and everywhere in between are bringing along an entire generation in a maritime-based curriculum. That menu differs from place to place, but the early exposure is priceless. All that?s left to be done is for employers to swoop in and pick off the low hanging fruit. What are you waiting for? [email protected] Keefe, Editor, [email protected] Download our AppsiPhone & Android6 MNJune 2014MN June14 Layout 1-17.indd 6MN June14 Layout 1-17.indd 65/19/2014 4:21:42 PM5/19/2014 4:21:42 PM