Coast Guard Chief of Inspections Conference
Guest Post by CDR Boone, CG-5431
Last week, all of the Coast Guard's Chiefs of Inspection Departments (CIDs) from around the nation gathered in Lansdowne, Virginia to attend the Prevention Program's CID Conference. It had been four years since the last Conference and the first conference since the roll-out of the Marine Safety Performance Plan (MSPP). There was an "air of excitement" among the 85 participants at the conference, which also included Headquarters, Area and District Prevention personnel, along with inspectors from Transport Canada and industry representatives.
Contributing to the excitement in the Program is the recent growth in marine inspectors and investigator billets flowing to the field. There is a renewed sense of purpose among the CIDs as details unfold and plans are put in place to establish feeder ports, designate journeymen marine inspectors and train apprentice marine inspectors. The establishment of National Centers of Expertise (NCOEs) in providing venues for professional development and exchange between industry and Coast Guard personnel was highlighted as it furthers the aims of the MSPP.
The three-day conference focused on the ongoing improvements in the program, the sense of urgency to improve capacity and capability, and the need to work closely with our partners and industry to share the responsibility of safety and security in the Marine Transportation System. The conference concluded with an industry panel attended by key industry stakeholders, including American Waterways Operators (AWO), Passenger Vessel Association (PVA), Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The industry panel provided a venue for two-way exchange of ideas to further the Goals and Objectives of the MSPP; namely, improving service to Mariners, Industry, and the Public.
This re-invigorated annual Conference is a key piece to our MSPP. The information exchange and ideas received are excellent feedback for our annual review and update of the MSPP (currently underway and slated for completion in January '10).
The Director of Prevention Policy at Coast Guard Headquarters, RDML Kevin Cook, provided closing remarks for the Conference, reinforcing the CIDs' role in successful implementation of the MSPP and encouraging them to take a leadership role in the Prevention Departments at the Sectors and MSUs as we strengthen the Coast Guard's Marine Safety Mission performance. The Conference brought the leaders of our Marine Safety Inspection program together and helped build a sense of community that will pay dividends into the future.
Last week, all of the Coast Guard's Chiefs of Inspection Departments (CIDs) from around the nation gathered in Lansdowne, Virginia to attend the Prevention Program's CID Conference. It had been four years since the last Conference and the first conference since the roll-out of the Marine Safety Performance Plan (MSPP). There was an "air of excitement" among the 85 participants at the conference, which also included Headquarters, Area and District Prevention personnel, along with inspectors from Transport Canada and industry representatives.
Contributing to the excitement in the Program is the recent growth in marine inspectors and investigator billets flowing to the field. There is a renewed sense of purpose among the CIDs as details unfold and plans are put in place to establish feeder ports, designate journeymen marine inspectors and train apprentice marine inspectors. The establishment of National Centers of Expertise (NCOEs) in providing venues for professional development and exchange between industry and Coast Guard personnel was highlighted as it furthers the aims of the MSPP.
The three-day conference focused on the ongoing improvements in the program, the sense of urgency to improve capacity and capability, and the need to work closely with our partners and industry to share the responsibility of safety and security in the Marine Transportation System. The conference concluded with an industry panel attended by key industry stakeholders, including American Waterways Operators (AWO), Passenger Vessel Association (PVA), Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The industry panel provided a venue for two-way exchange of ideas to further the Goals and Objectives of the MSPP; namely, improving service to Mariners, Industry, and the Public.
This re-invigorated annual Conference is a key piece to our MSPP. The information exchange and ideas received are excellent feedback for our annual review and update of the MSPP (currently underway and slated for completion in January '10).
The Director of Prevention Policy at Coast Guard Headquarters, RDML Kevin Cook, provided closing remarks for the Conference, reinforcing the CIDs' role in successful implementation of the MSPP and encouraging them to take a leadership role in the Prevention Departments at the Sectors and MSUs as we strengthen the Coast Guard's Marine Safety Mission performance. The Conference brought the leaders of our Marine Safety Inspection program together and helped build a sense of community that will pay dividends into the future.
Posted at
8:47 AM
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