Posted:
May 12, 2014
During the fifth annual Maritime Industry Congressional Sail-In on May 7, representatives from all segments of the American maritime industry conducted a total of approximately 170 meetings with members of the House of Representatives and Senate and their staff members to discuss the important roles of U.S.-flag shipping, maritime infrastructure and domestic shipbuilding.
The delegation of approximately 130 Sail-In participants provided specific information on a number of components of the maritime industry and addressed issues affecting those who work, sail, build and operate U.S.-flagged vessels, as well as issues affecting the nation's harbors, ports and waterways. Among the topics addressed were the Jones Act, the Maritime Security Program, U.S.-flag cargo preference, U.S. food-aid, reauthorization of the U.S. Export-Import Bank, and dredging and harbor maintenance.
Participating in the Sail-In this year from American Maritime Officers were AMO members Rick Powers and John Arnold, as well as AMO National Secretary-Treasurer José Leonard, AMO National Assistant Vice President Daniel Shea, AMO National Assistant Vice President Christian Spain, AMO National Assistant Vice President David Weathers, AMO Director of Political Affairs John DeCrosta, AMO Legislative Director Paul Doell, AMO Editor Matt Burke and AMO Assistant Editor Todd Wright. Participating in the Sail-In from American Maritime Officers Service were AMOS President and Chairman Anthony Naccarato and Legislative Consultant Brenda Otterson.
"This is an exciting time for American maritime," said Thomas Allegretti, chairman of the American Maritime Partnership, a coalition of which American Maritime Officers Service is a member and which American Maritime Officers supports. "The industry is investing billions of dollars to meet the nation's transportation needs, it is creating thousands of jobs for Americans, and it consistently works to bolster our national security at zero cost to the federal government. These congressional meetings are an important opportunity for the maritime industry to join together and brief their elected officials on the many ways American maritime is making our nation safer, stronger and more secure.
"New U.S.-flag vessels will soon provide millions of barrels in additional transportation capacity when our nation needs it the most," Allegretti said. "Currently, America's domestic maritime industry moves tens of millions of barrels of crude oil and petroleum products throughout the United States every month, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That number is only expected to grow because transporting cargo on our nation's waterways is one of the most cost-effective and efficient ways to move crude oil and petroleum products."
Maritime Industry Congressional Sail-In supports key elements of U.S. maritime policy
During the fifth annual Maritime Industry Congressional Sail-In on May 7, representatives from all segments of the American maritime industry conducted a total of approximately 170 meetings with members of the House of Representatives and Senate and their staff members to discuss the important roles of U.S.-flag shipping, maritime infrastructure and domestic shipbuilding.
The delegation of approximately 130 Sail-In participants provided specific information on a number of components of the maritime industry and addressed issues affecting those who work, sail, build and operate U.S.-flagged vessels, as well as issues affecting the nation's harbors, ports and waterways. Among the topics addressed were the Jones Act, the Maritime Security Program, U.S.-flag cargo preference, U.S. food-aid, reauthorization of the U.S. Export-Import Bank, and dredging and harbor maintenance.
Participating in the Sail-In this year from American Maritime Officers were AMO members Rick Powers and John Arnold, as well as AMO National Secretary-Treasurer José Leonard, AMO National Assistant Vice President Daniel Shea, AMO National Assistant Vice President Christian Spain, AMO National Assistant Vice President David Weathers, AMO Director of Political Affairs John DeCrosta, AMO Legislative Director Paul Doell, AMO Editor Matt Burke and AMO Assistant Editor Todd Wright. Participating in the Sail-In from American Maritime Officers Service were AMOS President and Chairman Anthony Naccarato and Legislative Consultant Brenda Otterson.
"This is an exciting time for American maritime," said Thomas Allegretti, chairman of the American Maritime Partnership, a coalition of which American Maritime Officers Service is a member and which American Maritime Officers supports. "The industry is investing billions of dollars to meet the nation's transportation needs, it is creating thousands of jobs for Americans, and it consistently works to bolster our national security at zero cost to the federal government. These congressional meetings are an important opportunity for the maritime industry to join together and brief their elected officials on the many ways American maritime is making our nation safer, stronger and more secure.
"New U.S.-flag vessels will soon provide millions of barrels in additional transportation capacity when our nation needs it the most," Allegretti said. "Currently, America's domestic maritime industry moves tens of millions of barrels of crude oil and petroleum products throughout the United States every month, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That number is only expected to grow because transporting cargo on our nation's waterways is one of the most cost-effective and efficient ways to move crude oil and petroleum products."