Posted: February 24, 2012

MSC commander, NMC commanding officer address STAR Center Training Needs Conference


MSC Commander Rear Adm. Mark Buzby (center) is greeted at the STAR Center Training Needs Conference by STAR Center Director of Training Phil Shullo, AMO National Vice President for Government Relations Mike Murphy, AMO National Executive Vice President Bob Kiefer, AMO National Assistant Vice Presidents David Weathers and Danny Shea, and STAR Center Director of Member Training and Officer Development Jerry Pannell.
Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, commander of Military Sealift Command, and Capt. Anthony Lloyd, commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard's National Maritime Center, each made presentations during STAR Center's annual Training Needs Conference, held Feb. 22 and 23 in Dania Beach, Fla.

During their presentations, Read Adm. Buzby and Capt. Lloyd discussed some of the critical issues and developments facing the U.S. maritime industry and American merchant mariners.

The AMO Safety and Education Plan's STAR Center hosts the annual assessment of training programs available to members of American Maritime Officers to provide industry leaders, union officials and government and military representatives the opportunity to discuss the future of training at STAR Center and specific training needs on the horizon.

Speaking Wednesday at the opening of the annual conference, Rear Adm. Buzby highlighted the growth in new shipboard technologies, stressing that mariners will need to adapt to meet future challenges.

Maritime is a "growth industry," he said, and mariners and vessel operators need to be prepared for new ships, new missions and a focus on high-tech. The industry is in a time of transition, with diverse operations, maintenance and training challenges.

National Maritime Center Commanding Officer Capt. Anthony Lloyd is greeted at the STAR Center Training Needs Conference by STAR Center Director of Training Phil Shullo, AMO National Executive Vice President Bob Kiefer and AMO National Vice President for Government Relations Mike Murphy.
He also discussed new construction projects at MSC, including high voltage, integrated electric ships, water jet technology and new high-tech electronics.

Capt. Lloyd during his presentation addressed the operations and responsibilities of the National Maritime Center, the performance of NMC in processing applications from mariners for documentation, the Merchant Marine Medical Advisory Committee and its role in U.S. Coast Guard medical requirements, implementation of STCW amendments, updates on the TWIC program and the NMC medical evaluation process, as well as general information about the NMC and its public resources for providing updates.

During the conference, he also discussed the impact of STCW on training and licensing requirements for deep-sea mariners, as well as the potential impact of regulations on veterans seeking to make the transition to careers as licensed merchant mariners.

STAR Center Director of Training Phil Shullo welcomed the attendees and opened the annual outreach to AMO-contracted employers, and military and government agencies to assist STAR Center in "determining where to focus our development efforts and in our scheduling."

Also addressing the annual conference were Rear Adm. William Baumgartner, commander, Seventh U.S. Coast Guard District; George Zoukee, MARAD administrator for business & finance development; and Christopher Thayer, MSC director, Contractor Operated Ships.

Participants in the conference reviewed and crafted plans to address industry, government and military fleet requirements, as well as new regulations and statutory reviews that will affect all elements of the maritime industry.