MARITIMEPROFESSIONAL.COMGet the Maritime Professional App for iPhone, Android and Windows devicesWhen you leave the page and head to the screen, Maritime Reporter’s family of online offerings provides the most digital and online news portals for news & insight. Here are select stories from last month on MaritimeProfessional.comGO DIGITALBits & Pieces from the Cheap SeatsSomething for Everyone; Laughter, Tears & a Shake of the Headeither. But until Washington understands wise shipping and cabotage. But not ev- changes in the nation’s ? fth uniformed that the maritime mode is part of the in- eryone. Some think it is okay to perform and military service, then I had come to termodal equation, we are doomed to en- repairs and alteration work overseas on the wrong of? ce. Instead, he promised a dure substandard infrastructure – on the their “Jones Act” tonnage. And, that, ac- steady hand, a sincere effort to bring to BY JOSEPH KEEFEroads and in the water. Anybody know cording to the Coast Guard, is perfectly fruition the myriad efforts of those who his week, President Obama when the next National Maritime Sym- legal. It seems to me that these operators had come before him, and to improve said that he would call on Con- posium will take place? I hear the sand- want it both ways. Indeed, they can. By the lives of every Coast Guard team gress to appropriate as much as wiches were pretty good. the same token, they shouldn’t be sur- member. On May 30, he will step down T$300b for repairs and upgrades prised when cargo interests and shippers as he hands the baton to his successor to the nation’s aging roads and railways. Rubbing Salt in the Wound want the same thing. Food for thought. in the Change of Command ceremony Conspicuously absent from that discus- Like everyone else, I’ve watched the As for the federal government, if in Washington. From my perspective, I sion was any mention of ports and inland latest assault on the Jones Act with great someone at the U.S. DOT or MarAd think he will be missed.waterways. On the latter front, there are interest. In case you just got back from a is looking to me for a pat on the back, Like Tom Collins who succeeded the any number of initiatives underway, Caribbean vacation, let me bring you up they’ll need to look elsewhere. Denying charismatic Jim Loy, Papp also had the notably the long overdue WRRDA bill to speed. The state of New Jersey ran out a Jones Act waiver in this case doesn’t unenviable task of following a tough that maritime stakeholders hope will of road salt during this, one of the worst get them a pass, especially for those who act. Thad Allen, perhaps the most well-be pushed through in the near future. It winters in memory. Seems like we had work for the same administration which known Commandant in the history of wasn’t too long ago, you may remember some right here in America, but the Gar- has collectively issued more Jones Act the Coast Guard (see page 32), also (apparently the current administration den State didn’t want to pay Jones Act waivers in the past ? ve years than were earned that reputation through superb does not) that we had our much-bally- rates to get it down into position for de- granted in the previous 30 or 40 com- leadership in any number of crises dur-hooed National Maritime Symposium, ployment. They accordingly applied for bined. Someone call me on that, if I’ve ing his term as commandant, and the intended to push forward a real national a waiver from MarAd, who promptly de- got it wrong. This is the same crew who time leading up to it. Certainly, he left maritime strategy. That effort will take nied it. And, the blame game was on. In gives out grant money for ship work that the Coast Guard a better organization money, too. the end, the salt got transported to New will likely take place overseas, and has than he found it. The mainstream me-DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx warns Jersey – on an American bottom, and I responsibility for supervising a 60-ship dia eventually dubbed him ‘the Rock of the “transportation cliff” coming late guess the roads are safe there once again. maritime security ? eet of U.S. ? ag, but Star Commandant.’ In his own quiet this summer when the Highway Trust In this case, it was poor planning on foreign built hulls. That they purport way, Papp was every bit as impressive. Fund, which ? nances federal highway the part of the state that got them into themselves to be the nation’s “maritime Like every Commandant that came be-and transit projects, is predicted to run a pickle; not the Jones Act. If the good cheerleaders” is preposterous. This week fore him and all that will follow, Papp out of money. One way to solve that folks from New Jersey have anyone to was a good one for Jones Act advocates. will leave un? nished business at USCG problem is to raise the gasoline tax that be mad at, they should look internally at I believe in the Jones Act. It has its place, HQ. Inland marine stakeholders, for ex-funds all of it. But that’s a temporary their elected of? cials. To that end, Jones value and has demonstrated time and ample, probably won’t see the long an-band aid. The irony of the situation is Act advocates and stakeholders every- time again, its utility to the country that ticipated subchapter “M” towboat rules that motorists and consumers and over- where rose up and let their voices be fosters this kind of cabotage law. I’m enacted before the end of May, but that the-road transportation companies have heard. From Tom Allegretti (chairman of also mindful that its application in prac- won’t be Papp’s fault, either. A lumber-for decades been exhorted, by the gov- the American Maritime Partnership and tice is uneven – from both sides of the ing and excruciatingly slow regulatory ernment and environmentalists alike, to the AWO) to U.S. Senator Menendez equation. A little like your ‘crazy Uncle review process in Washington is largely reduce their energy consumption and (D – NJ) and a dozen more like them, Harry’ who disrupts the family reunion to blame. We can only hope that four green their environmental footprints. the outrage became clear and at least every summer. That’s the take-away that years from now, we’re still not waiting Well, they’ve done just that. Along the on this one occasion, we as an industry we should all be looking at, long after for that important rulemaking to get the way, they are driving fewer miles than did a pretty good job of holding the line the spring thaw and April rains wash the ? nal “okay.” Anyone who has gone to we as a nation have done in decades and against, in this instance, an unwarranted road salt away. sea for any length of time knows that as a result, the gas tax isn’t bringing in use of the waiver rules. Even Marad did sometimes, it’s just a one degree change enough revenue. What’s a mother to do? their job. But, the situation also got me ADM Papp Steps Down in May of course or perhaps a minor easing of The real solution lies in moving the to thinking about the Jones Act in a mac- In my ? rst one-on-one interview the throttle that produces the best, but freight off the highways to the maximum ro sense, as well. When I look around at with U.S. Coast Guard Commandant often not the most dramatic results for extent possible and onto the nation’s wa- the Jones Act players and stakeholders, ADM Bob Papp more than three years the ship. I think that’s an excellent meta-terways. But, we can’t do that because there are plenty that hold fast and true to ago, he made it clear to me that if I was phor for Admiral Bob Papp’s tenure as there isn’t enough money for that effort, all of the tenets of the concept of coast- looking for ? reworks and earthshaking Commandant and his accomplishments.8 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • MARCH 2014MR #3 (1-9).indd 8 MR #3 (1-9).indd 8 3/4/2014 9:47:27 AM3/4/2014 9:47:27 AM