Commemorative photo of the meeting of HELMEPA representatives and senior officials of USCG Eighth District
Following the meeting of the delegation of HELMEPA Member operators with the US Coast Guard at their Headquarters in Washington, DC, the association’s contacts extend to USCG Eighth District based in New Orleans, Louisiana.
On Friday 9 November, HELMEPA representatives met with senior officials of the District Command and informed them on the aims and work of the association. In turn, the CG officers presented their areas of responsibility, current challenges and prevention and response policies. Special emphasis was placed on potential cooperation between member vessels and Port State Control at the numerous ports of the region.
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The area of responsibility of the 8th District includes 26 States, 10 out of the 15 busiest ports in the US, the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi and Ohio rivers with 2,000 bridges and 58 dams and locks, while 880 million tons of cargo are transported annually through the sea and inland waters of the area. Also, 18% of US crude oil is produced in the area from about 1,000 offshore facilities.
As Pollution Prevention and Maritime Safety are of highest priority for this sensitive region, HELMEPA will examine ways of cooperation and will propose accordingly to the Eighth District Commander, RADM Paul Thomas.
