Shipping, shipbuilding, offshore news

June 11, 2007

ASA and Coast Guard formalize partnership

The American Salvage Association (ASA) and the U S. Coast Guard have formally executed the Marine Salvage and Firefighting Quality Partnership with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the association and the Coast Guard.

Admiral Brian Salerno, Assistant Commandant for Plans & Policy for the U.S. Coast Guard, and George Wittich, President of the American Salvage Association, signed the partnership agreement at ASA's offices on June 8, 2007.

Specifically, "the purpose of the partnership is to strengthen the communication and working relationship between the Coast Guard and the marine and firefighting industry in order to improve vessel and personnel safety within that industry; enhance national maritime security preparedness and response; promote timely, responsible and professional salvage response to marine casualties; and enhance the protection of the environment along our nation's waterways."

"The parties will interpret and implement this Memorandum so as to supplement and not adversely affect this regulatory relationship." and "The parties shall seek to achieve its purpose primarily through: ... cooperation to promote the interest of the American public in maritime safety and security, through non-regulatory means where possible;..."

"The parties will promote this partnership within their respective organizations and, as may seem best, involve their representatives at all levels in steps to be taken at the national, regional, or local level."

ASA and the Coast Guard have had a long, successful history of partnering on projects, including Industry/U.S. Coast Guard Cross Training; maritime salvage conferences; ASA's participation in the Coast Guard's Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) Training in Yorktown, Virginia; ASA salvage training for the various USCG Strike Teams; and the ASA's early, and continued involvement to the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita response at the Coast Guard's request.

"The American Salvage Association is pleased to work with the U.S. Coast Guard in establishing a firm foundation for this quality partnership, which will yield results and continuous improvement in marine salvage and firefighting within our respective organizations, and will be of great benefit ultimately to the general public," said ASA President George Wittich.

The American Salvage Association is a trade association promoting professionalism and improving marine casualty response in North American coastal and inland waters.