Page 53: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Q2 2014)

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Hearing Stakeholders: loud & clear

The U.S. Maritime Transportation System is critical to our nation’s economy and as the USATONS is a vital component of the MTS, we must continue striving to build a more re- liable, available, and effi cient aids to navigation system. In keeping with our long -standing relationships with commer- cial and recreational waterway users, the USCG, USACE, and

NOAA invite you to join in a series of listening sessions and help shape the 21st century American waterways.

These listening sessions will be focus on data informational services required by mariners for safe navigation and how we, the federal government joined in single effort, can provide that information and infrastructure. Listening sessions will be held in various ports and will be hosted by a panel representing each of these federal agencies. There will also be a website portal where interested individuals can post recommendations.

The Coast Guard and all regulatory stakeholders, as always, remain in awe of the skills exhibited by the professional mari- ners who ply the nation’s waterways. Working together, we’ll successfully develop and implement a better, safer, and more reliable aid to navigation system for America’s 21st century waterways.

Cmdr. Peter Niles is a 30-year veteran of the Coast Guard with more than 16 years at sea and commanded three of his nine Coast Guard Cutters. His present duty is as the Chief of the Aids to Navigation Division at Coast Guard

Headquarters under the Director of

Marine Transportation Systems.

Robert Trainor served 31 years as an active duty member of the Coast Guard, with more than 24 years experience in the Aids to Navigation mission. Since his retirement from active duty in 2006, Bob has served as a technical advisor to the Offi ce of Aids to Navigation.

Smith Berger Marine, Inc. builds a full range of Shark Jaws for Anchor

Handling Tug Supply vessels. Standard ratings are 100, 200, 350, 500 and 750 metric tons and all units have Quick Release at the rated load.

Smith Berger flexibility allows us to customize our equipment to suit the operating characteristics of your vessel. Third party certification, load tests, release tests and load monitoring systems are available options.

Rely on the 100 year history of Smith Berger to outfit your vessel with our rugged and dependable equipment.

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SAFE - RELIABLE - ECONOMICAL

For example, in some cases the role of sea buoys — those red and white vertically- striped buoys — has changed since they were fi rst established to assist mariners making landfall. Today, the primary value provided by many of these buoys is as a reference point to check in with Vessel Traffi c Services or to meet the pilot vessel. We need to examine if there is a more effective way to provide this service without an $85,000 buoy. 50-63 Q2 MP2014.indd 53 5/16/2014 3:01:10 PM