Washington, DC – The following is the opening statement of U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Ranking Member, from today’s hearing on the Coast Guard’s credentialing process for mariners.
Watch Rep. LoBiondo’s statement on YouTube.
“The Subcommittee is continuing its review of the Coast Guard’s efforts to address personnel and resource shortages which created unacceptable delays in the service’s licensing and credentialing of U.S. merchant mariners.
“During the Subcommittee’s hearing on this subject in July, the Coast Guard testified it was surging resources to this mission area, and I understand this stop-gap strategy was successful in completely eliminating the backlog. While this is certainly good news to any mariner applying for a credential, the Coast Guard must do a better job to plan for resources and personnel necessary to maintain performance requirements for all of its missions.
“American merchant mariners are required by U.S. law to carry a valid credential issued by the Coast Guard. These mariners depend on the service for a quick, thorough, and fair review of their qualifications and fitness to serve in shipboard positions. With the state of the economy today, and the significant impacts the recession is having on the maritime sector, we cannot allow government mismanagement to delay something as vital as the credentialing process.
“I am encouraged by the progress the Coast Guard has made in this area, and I commend their ongoing efforts to address these issues in the credentialing process. I look forward to hearing the witnesses’ plans to prevent shortfalls in this and other missions in the future.”
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