Proceedings magazine is a communication tool for the Coast Guard's Marine Safety & Security Council. Each quarterly magazine focuses on a specific theme of interest to the marine industry.
Issue link: https://uscgproceedings.epubxp.com/i/707823
In this edition of Proceedings, we focus on our American waterways. The United States has the largest system of ports, waterways, and coastal seas in the world, with 95,000 miles of coastline and 26,000 miles of commercial waterways serving 361 ports, 4,700 marine terminals, and 25,000 miles of inland and coastal waterways. With 90 percent of all containerized cargo now being shipped via maritime conveyance as the most eco- nomic means for transportation, these rivers and ports serve as the historic and present marine transportation system (MTS) — powering the economic engine for national and international commerce. These pathways of commerce within the Western Hemisphere are linked to the global maritime environment. The Coast Guard is committed to ensuring safe, secure, and environmentally responsible maritime activity in the Western Hemisphere. This commitment requires an integrated and coherent strategy that focuses on the specifi c priorities of combating transnational criminal networks, securing borders, and safeguarding commerce. The Coast Guard's responsibility to support maritime commerce is almost as old as the nation itself, dating back 226 years to the original Revenue Cutter Service. As a nation, continued investment in a safe and effi cient marine transportation system is crucial to ensuring that it meets the growing needs of our economy. These strategic investments will ultimately enhance our trade position, support national security interests, ensure greater national wealth and relevance, and ease congestion caused by land-based trans- portation systems. In this edition we highlight the importance of partnerships, external engagement, and relationships as well as external and internal communication among stakeholders, including the U.S. Coast Guard, industry, political and community leaders, and the customers/taxpayers we serve. This wide range of topics includes the crucial role of waterway infrastructure, a historical review of the vessel traffi c service, and the national economic impact of U.S. oceans and coastal economies. Regional topics include stories on the ports of Virginia, Milwaukee, and New Orleans; the Houston Ship Channel; and the Mississippi River and Columbia Snake River systems. We also explore how the Panama Canal expansion project will affect West Coast container terminals and the Mississippi River system. I hope these articles will encourage a dialogue in support of our marine transportation system — nature's highways that are fundamental to our nation's economic growth and security. 4 Proceedings Summer 2016 Summer 2016 www.uscg.mil/proceedings Admiral Paul F. Zukunft Commandant U.S. Coast Guard The Marine Safety & Security Council of the United States Coast Guard Mr. Calvin Lederer Judge Advocate General (Acting) Chairman Mr. Jeffrey G. Lantz Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards Member Rear Admiral Peter J. Brown Assistant Commandant for Response Policy Member Rear Admiral Paul F. Thomas Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy Member Rear Admiral Todd A. Sokalzuk Assistant Commandant for Resources, Chief Financial Offi cer Member Ms. Ellen Engleman Conners Director for Governmental and Public Affairs (Acting) Member Captain Verne B. Gifford Director of Inspections and Compliance Member Mr. William R. Grawe Director of National Pollution Funds Center Member Captain David C. Barata Director of Marine Transportation Systems (Acting) Member Ms. Dana S. Tulis Director of Incident Management and Preparedness Policy Member Mr. Michael W. Mumbach Executive Secretary Director's Perspective by Ms. ellen engleMan Conners Acting Director Governmental and Public Affairs U.S. Coast Guard