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10 Maritime Professional 4Q 2011are Recognized Organizations (per 46 CFR 8):American Bureau of Shipping Det Norske Veritas Lloyd?s Register Germanischer Lloyd Bureau Veritas RINA S.p.A Nippon Kaiji Kyokai Beyond this, ABS, DNV, LR and GL are also authorized to conduct CoastGuard inspections on U.S. vessels enrolled in the Alternate Compliance Program (ACP). Currently 285 vessels are in enrolled in ACP. Prevention: Real Progress, Qualified Inspectors The Coast Guard has increased itscivilian inspector and investigator corps to 206. Seven National Centers of Expertise (NCOE) were created andfilled with journeyman and advanced journeyman level (GS-12 and GS 13) civilian positions. The qualifications advertised and rat- ing tools used for NCOE positions aremuch more specific and difficult to sat- isfy than those used to staff civilian journeyman inspectors and investiga- tors at field units. Candidates from industry were highly desired forNCOEs. Recruitment bonuses and stepincreases were very important in filling these positions.Civilian Apprentice Marine Inspectors (CAMI) are graduates ofmaritime academies and have merchant marine licenses. They begin their careers in marine safety at the GS-7level at a feeder port. As they gain experience and compe- tencies, they progress from apprentices to journeymen at the GS 12 level. As they earn journeymen status, they will move to available GS-12 inspection or investigation positions nationwide, and are eligible to compete for more seniorpositions. In the last two years, 23 CAMI positions have been filled from as many as 250 applications, of which 170 were certified to complete for the 23 positions.I am happy to report that the overall Coast Guard commercial vessel safety program is doing well and the industryseems to be responding positively. InsightsThe AuthorRear Admiral James Watson reassumedthe duties of Director of Prevention Policyfor Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship, Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington DC on 1 July 2011. He is responsible for Seaport Security Assessments, Boating Safety, Commercial Vessel Safety and Security, Ports and Cargo Safety and Security, Maritime Investigations, and Quality Traveling Inspectors. MP #4 (1-17):MP Layouts 11/7/2011 4:26 PM Page 10