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AWO Testifies At USCG User Fee Hearing The Coast Guard and Navigation Subcommittee of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, chaired by Congressman Billy Tauzin of Louisiana, recently held a hearing on the Coast Guard's pro- posed regulations concerning vessel inspection and merchant mariners licensing and document fees. Jack Park, Crowley Maritime Corporation, testified on behalf of the American Waterways Operators (AWO). At the outset, chairman Tauzin and all other subcommittee mem- bers present expressed the view that the proposed fees were unfair, that the levels proposed clearly exceeded the cost or value of the service being provided, and that small operators would be particularly hard hit by this new financial burden. Rear Adm. Arthur E. Henn testi- fied that given the concerns which have been expressed by Congress and the public, the comment period would be extended, and that five regional hearings would be held during this period in order to receive additional public comments. Admiral Henn also admitted that the impacts on small operators clearly appeared to be a problem, and he believed the Coast Guard should consider a more equitable schedule to reflect actual Coltec Industries @ Visit us at ASNE Booth Nos. 302, 303, 304. Circle 274 on Reader Service Card Fairbanks Morse Engine Division cost of the inspection service being provided. Industry witnesses were unani- mous in their opposition to the pro- posed fee structure, citing specific examples of the proposed fee impacts on various categories of ves- sel operators. Labor witnesses also opposed the fees. Oglebay Norton Names New Head, Directors R. Thomas Green, Jr., has been elected chairman, president, chief executive officer and a director of Oglebay Norton Company. He suc- ceeds Renold D. Thompson, former president and chief executive officer, who was elected vice chairman of the Board. Mr.Thompson has 40 years service with the company. ChairmanCourtney Burton and vice chairman Fred R. White, Jr. announced their retirement from those board posts, but continue as directors of Oglebay Norton. Mr. Burton was named chairman emeri- tus; Mr. White, vice chairman emeri- tus. Albert C. Bersticker, president and chief executive officer of Ferro Corporation, was elected a director. The elections increase Oglebay Norton Board membership from nine to eleven. Council Suggests DOD Actions To Benefit US Yards Following a recent meeting be- tween Donald J. Atwood, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and Ameri- can shipyard representatives in which the future of U.S. shipbuild- ing and ship repair in the wake of planned defense spending reduc- tions was discussed, Shipbuilders Council of America president John Stocker sent Mr. Atwood a letter suggesting the following actions on the part of the Department of De- fense to help slow the decline in U.S. shipyard employment and ease the pressures on escalating unit costs for naval vessels. • Accelerate the DoD's procure- ment of sealift ships. • Let the Administration know that the DoD wholeheartedly sup- ports the continuation and imple- mentation of the Jones Act. Tanker owners engaged in domestic trade need to update their fleets with U.S. built, double-hulled vessels, but are reluctant to do so because of a per- ception that the Jones Act cabotage law may be subject to repeal in the future. • Communicate to the U.S. trade representative DoD's support of re- vitalized commercial shipbuilding in the U.S., including support for aggressive action to end foreign gov- ernment support practices that dis- advantage American yards. • Support H.R. 2056, the Ship- building Trade Reform Act. • Consider a requirement to com- pete 100 percent of all Navy repair availabilities between public and private sectors. Maritime Reporter/Engineering News Fairbanks Morse &CoIt-Piel stick* Engines . . . Assisting Commercial Marine Profitability! From river towboats to ocean tugs. From ore carriers to freighters. From ferries to fishing vessels. Fairbanks Morse engines are proven power pack- ages within the maritime industry. Over 1,000,000 H.P. in service since 1970. Fairbanks Morse is proud to be a part of the American Maritime Industry. We manufacture engines in horsepower ranges from 640 to 29,322 bhp. Call 608/364-4411 if you have a marine en- gine application needing reliable power. S.E.M.T.—Pielstick is a registered trademark of Societe d'Etudes de Machines Thermiques Paris. France.
