people & companies
in place the first formal continuing education LNG training available from a nationally recognized institution on the West Coast Clearwater Port is proposing the conversion of an operating offshore oil platform, located 12.6 miles off the coast of Oxnard, Calif., into a state-of-the-art LNG re-gasification terminal to meet California's need for affordable, reliable clean-burning natural gas. Clearwater Port officials said the decision to help underwrite continuing education of personnel working in the field reflects its commitment to sustaining the industry's outstanding safety record for the transport, handling and distribution of this vital commodity. The new program, to be developed and implemented by Cal Maritime's Office of Special Projects and Extended Learning, will include the development of curricula and the delivery of LNG training and continuing education services for personnel working in the fields of maritime and shore-side transportation and handling of LNG products. Initial program funding for course development is being provided by Clearwater Port. Under the agreement, Cal Maritime will develop the curriculum and implement a 2-3 day entry-level (Level I) introductory course for "new hires" not directly involved in the ship/shore interface. It will cover such areas as the science of LNG, ship and terminal operations, the LNG marketplace and safety. Those taking this initial course will have had minimal exposure to LNG shipping and handling. Secondly, the University will develop and implement a more advanced
48 MN
five-day course (Level II) -- having a much greater operational focus. It will cover the science of LNG in greater detail, including chemical composition, liquefaction, re-gasification, and cryogenic properties. It will also address vessel design parameters and construction; operations -- including inerting, gassing, cooling, loading, discharging, warming, reinerting and gas-freeing of LNG carriers; international rules and regulations; firefighting and prevention; and safety and personal protection. The Level II advanced course may also include simulation training in Cal Maritime's Transas Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator. The course will be immediately beneficial in providing key personnel with a detailed understanding of LNG vessel and handling operations.
Foss Receives Honor
Benkert award from Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen. Examples of Foss environmental initiatives the Coast Guard is recognizing with the Benkert award include building the world's first low emissions "Green Dolphin" hybrid tugboat; voluntarily switching its entire fleet to ultra-low sulfur diesel; minimizing waste streams on harbor tugs by using a vacuum truck service for their oily waste removal; and, completing an energy audit and developing an energy management plan to manage Foss vessels. In addition, Foss is the first maritime operating company accepted into EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership for its marine operations. It also earned the Chamber of Shipping of America's recognition for 59 vessels with outstanding environmental records in 2007.
Cummings Joins MERC Kick-Off
The U.S. Coast Guard awarded the Foss Maritime Company with the 2008 William M. Benkert 'gold' award for marine environmental protection. It is Foss' second major 'green' award in less than a month. In early June, Foss won the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Excellence Award for development of its low emission 'Green Dolphin' hybrid tug, the first time a maritime operating company has ever received the EPA's honor. Foss also received a Commendation Environmental Award from BP Shipping, and honorable mention for the Port of Seattle's 2008 Marine Environmental Business of the Year award. Foss Maritime President Gary Faber and other top company officials were in San Diego, CA., to receive the
On July 22 Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (Md.-7), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, joined the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Maryland Port Administration, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, and the U.S. Maritime Administration aboard the MV Cape Washington to announce the kick-off of an important new research and testing project, the Maritime Environmental Resource Center (MERC). MERC has been organized to help prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species into the Chesapeake Bay and other water bodies in the United States.
August 2008