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a rabid Patriots fan. This was met by his U.S. Coast Guard. That’s a mouthful, but From that discussion, the Coast

Bottom Line rapt audience with a decidedly mixed re- Nadeau insists, “There has never been a Guard’s top prevention leader told PVA

Nadeau wrapped up his talk [before action, and a good laugh was had by all. more transparent investigation. Every- stakeholders that his top priority look- taking a barrage of questions] by saying thing we have is on the internet; every ing forward was “third party oversight;” that today’s Coast Guard needs many hearing was broadcast live.” And, he with subchapter M in particular as a things. Among them, the nation’s ? fth

USCG: Three Things

As far as this talk was concerned, said, the Coast Guard report was made focus. As the long-awaiting so-called uniformed service needs capacity – and

RADM Nadeau said it came down to available to general public with a 30- subM towboat rules barrel towards that translates into headcount. It also three things: Partnerships, El Faro and, day comment period before Final Action implementation for as many as 5,500 needs training and it needs expertise. importantly, ‘third parties.’ Memo. towing vessels, Nadeau freely admit-

More importantly, he said, “We need

Nadeau wisely led off by highlighting That investigation produced a 200- ted that the Coast Guard was pushing to better manage all of this information the now 22 year partnership between page report with numerous (36) recom- the program towards third parties. That and hold people accountable.” You got the Coast Guard and PVA. With stated mendations delivered exactly two years practice, beginning with the well-known the distinct impression that he meant goals of “improving communications after the casualty. The bottom line; ac- ACP program in 1995, has only gotten what he said. There was something for and developing a working relationship,” cording to Nadeau? The tragedy was not more prevalent over time. Indeed, since everyone this past week in Savannah. it was a good place to start. According an issue of standards and in the USCG’s then, he said, “We’ve doubled down, This lovely southern port city provided to Nadeau, that relationship is alive and opinion, more regulations were not the time and time again. We need to get this the perfect backdrop for the serious work well and the agreement represents “two answer. The most signi? cant failure, he right.” That kind of talk tends to get pas- to be done here. As an aside: It wasn’t decades of healthy, vibrant activity.” He said, was the decision process (that sent senger vessel stakeholders nervous, so always this way. I shipped in and out of then touched upon several areas of com- the vessel into harm’s way in the ? rst he immediately followed that advice by Savannah on a tanker every two weeks mon concern, including but not limited place).

reassuring the audience that direct U.S. for a few years in the mid-1980’s, and to the joint effort to combat illegal char- Listing four central causations, he also Coast Guard oversight of so-called sub the transformation of this beautiful, bus- ters – a constant headache for compliant stated ? atly that the Coast Guard had chapter T & K passenger vessels, as well tling town since then is nothing short of

PVA operators who sometimes ? nd their failed in its oversight, especially where as barges, would continue. “I don’t see remarkable. Before departing, I made a members competing against undocu- it came to third party involvement in that changing,” he said.

mental note to return on a future plea- mented operators. The ever-growing the equation. “We are the ? nal element Because ferries are ‘local,’ it is that sure trip. Next year’s PVA Annual Con- and worrisome cyber threat was also in the safety framework – it is our job much easier to have local relationships vention will take place in New Orleans, mentioned. The Coast Guard’s involve- to make sure the parties working on our personal knowledge, explained Nadeau. starting on January 17. It is already on ment with the investigation of the tragic behalf are doing their job,” he said, add- Bigger vessels and offshore assets tend my calendar. – MLPro

El Faro sinking came next. According ing quickly, “Just because we delegate to to go from place to place – far distances to Nadeau, there has never been a more third parties doesn’t mean we give away – unlike ferries and barges which tend to transparent effort in the history of the responsibility.” stay local on ? xed routes.

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