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
20 Proceedings Fall 2015 www.uscg.mil/proceedings restrictions, but may also include imposing requirements for transiting at certain times, requiring vessels to transit only in certain weather conditions, or mandating assist vessels to transit certain areas, to name a few examples. When the situation calls for more extensive, long-term, or even permanent controls, the Coast Guard district com- mander may establish a regulated navigation area, which is a defned water area within which navigation regulations have been established. Normally a regulated navigation area is established to control vessel operations to preserve adjacent waterfront structures, ensure safe vessel transit, or protect the marine environment. Future Focus The nation's waterways have always been a significant part of the overall transportation system of our country by which we move goods between inland and coastal areas. As the Energy Renaissance places even more demand on our waterways, Coast Guard waterways managers fortunately have very broad authority to administer waterway usage, direct vessel movements, and ultimately ensure port and waterway safety. However, waterways management is a complex endeavor, so the Coast Guard proactively interacts with our port partners to identify and address concerns to ensure our waterways remain safe and effcient for all users. About the author: LCDR Jamie Bigbie is assigned to the Offce of Waterways Policies and Activities at Coast Guard headquarters. He has served in the Coast Guard for more than 22 years, and his marine safety experience includes port safety and security, waterways management, and vessel inspections. He holds an M.A. in transportation policy, operations, and logistics from George Mason University. Endnotes: 1. See www.whitehouse.gov/energy/securing-american-energy. 2. Bruce Buls, "Crude oil transport spurs tank-barge construction," WorkBoat.com, 01 April 2014, available at www.workboat.com/newsdetail.aspx?id=23974. 3. For more information on PARS, PAWSA, and WAMS, see Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council, Spring 2011, "Collaborating to Mitigate Risk." Waterway Suitability Assessment A prospective applicant seeking to site, construct, and operate a liquefed natural gas (LNG) waterfront facility must complete a waterway suitability assessment. The assessment will, among other things, identify addi- tional trafc on the waterway as a result of the new or modifed LNG facility, as well as list recommended risk mitigation measures. Indicative of the increased traffc on the inland waterways, the number of barge inspections per year by Coast Guard marine inspectors at units located in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Missouri combined for an average increase of more than 40 percent between 2012 and 2014. Coast Guard Business Intelligence data.