…
On Tuesday 21 November 2017, the 5th consecutive annual meeting of HELMEPA Member Companies’ representatives and the United States Coast Guard took place at their Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The meeting was hosted by RADM John P. Nadeau, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, who leads development of national policy, standards and programs to promote Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Stewardship, while overseeing the Directorates of Inspections and Compliance, Marine Transportation Systems, and Commercial Regulations and Standards.
With the participation of Captain Jennifer F. Williams, Director of Inspections & Compliance, Captain Ryan D. Manning, Chief, Office of Port & Facility Compliance, Captain Scott Kelly, Office of Operating & Environmental Standards and other staff, the meeting took place in a friendly and constructive atmosphere.
Items of the Agenda, which was compiled in cooperation with the participating Member Companies, included water ballast management, Cyber Security, adequacy of shore reception facilities and management of sewage and garbage, QUALSHIP 21, inspections towards issuing COC, biofouling, navigation issues in US waters and other. Clarifications and update on the most recent developments on these issues were provided while CG officers listened attentively to specific concerns of vessels managed by HELMEPA Member Companies because, as they stated, their aim is safety, security and environmental protection in parallel with facilitation of maritime commerce.
During the meeting, the Coast Guard emphasized that, at all circumstances, on time and sincere reporting to the COTP by the Master and the Operator of any problems experienced onboard is appreciated since proper communication can solve issues that otherwise may have severe consequences.
The 7 Member Companies that participated and their representatives were:
- ARISTON NAVIGATION CORP., Christos Georgousopoulos, DPA/CSO-Newbuildings Manager,
- CARRAS (HELLAS) A., Spiros Vlachos, QMS Manager,
- COSTAMARE SHIPPING COMPANY S.A., Ioannis Drakogiannopoulos, RS&Q Manager, DPA-CSO,
- DIANA SHIPPING SERVICES S.A., Michael Gavriil, DPA-CSO-HSQE Manager,
- EURONAV SHIP MANAGEMENT HELLAS LTD., Pantelis Patsoulis, HSQE Superintendent/DDPA/DCSO,
- LIVANOS – HELLAS S.A., Michail Fragkias, DPA & Safety Manager,
- TSAKOS COLUMBIA SHIPMANAGEMENT (TCM) A., Andreas Zarnavelis, Deputy DPA /Quality & Regulatory Compliance Officer.
HELMEPA Secretariat was represented by Dimitris C. Mitsatsos, Director General, Christiana Prekezes, Executive Coordinator and Dimitris Giakos, Membership Services.
