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/578020
80 Proceedings Fall 2015 www.uscg.mil/proceedings The increase in the domestic energy sector's footprint is sure to have an impact on the inland, Great Lakes, coastal, and offshore maritime industry. Additionally, new vessel con- struction activity makes it more likely that a larger, U.S.- fagged coastwise, tanker, and barge feet will emerge, creat- ing an infux of smaller vessels transiting coastal and inland waters. Also, in response to stricter air emission require- ments and the availability of relatively inexpensive liquefed natural gas (LNG), new vessels that use LNG as a marine fuel for propulsion/power generation will become more and more popular. Given these new realities, the Coast Guard will most likely: • Examine its existing regulatory framework to address the challenges associated with offshore exploration and production, new crudes, new liquefed gases, and LNG bunkering from a vessel design, operation, and crew training/certifcation point of view. • Continue to support domestic and international stan- dards-making bodies such as the International Mari- time Organization. • Review its technical capabilities and pursue appropri- ate improvements to meet technological complexities such as drilling for oil/gas deeper and further offshore, transporting products with new characteristics/proper- ties, and bunkering and utilizing new fuels throughout the maritime community. • Review service-wide workforce accession and develop- ment/training programs to ensure the Coast Guard has the capacity to handle the industry's projected growth, including updating personnel qualifcation standards; instituting robust tactics, techniques, and procedures; and providing robust job aids (such as electronic per- formance support systems) for vessel inspectors and facility examiners. Fortunately, the Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise (LGC NCOE) and Outer Continental Shelf National Center of Expertise (OCS NCOE) are fully engaged in adjusting to this Energy Renaissance and the resulting growth within the oil and gas industries. National Centers of Expertise The LGC NCOE was established in 2009 as a national reposi- tory of expertise and best practices for liquefed gas car- rier (LGC) inspection. The OCS NCOE was also established in 2009 to address mobile offshore drilling unit, offshore production installation, and offshore supply/service vessel inspection. Since the inception of these units, the marine industry has grown exponentially. It is anticipated that the U.S. will expe- rience a signifcant increase in the number of LGC arrivals. Similarly, the U.S. outer continental shelf is anticipated to continue to experience a steady increase in deepwater off- shore activity despite the recent downturn in oil's market value. Additionally, we have seen a drastic uptick in waterfront and deepwater facility development, numerous novel gas- fueled vessels under design and construction, and a new industry of LNG bunker services. As the Coast Guard's oil Training the USCG for the Energy Renaissance Marine inspector qualifcation and training. by cdr JiM rocco (rEtirEd) Former Chief U.S. Coast Guard Outer Continental Shelf National Center of Expertise Mr. rob hAnlEy Surveyor and Auditor Prestige Maritime International Mr. MArk J. gAndolFo U.S. Coast Guard Offce of Traveling Inspector Staff Planning for the Renaissance