Pittsburgh Association Wins Coast Guard Honor
Waterways Journal
27 June 2011
The Waterways Association of Pittsburgh (WAP) has been chosen as the
2010 National Harbor Safety Committee of the Year. The award is
sponsored by the Coast Guard Office of Marine Transportation Systems
Management in Washington, DC, with the winner being a consensus
selection of National Harbor Safety Conference organizers.
The award was presented at the 2011 National Harbor Safety Conference
in Houston, Texas last week.
In the award presentation, the WAP was cited for its commitment to
cooperation with maritime stakeholders to achieve significant
improvements to safety in the Ohio River Valley. This included
proactive safety measures including mariner training and education,
leadership of the marine community response to theextraordinary
spring/winter high water and flooding, and a commitment to partnership
and education with local communities and students.
The WAP serves as an industry stakeholder advisory board to the Coast
Guard Captain of the Port in Pittsburgh, as well as to the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and the Port of Pittsburgh. It is the means for
waterways users and the government to communicate and work towards the
common goals of safety, superior professional training, and economic
development. Moreover, it provides a forum to facilitate discussion on
lessons learned from marine casualties.
Dana Goward, Coast Guard director of marine transportation systems
management, presented the award to Capt.Eunice Ratcliff, chairwoman of
the WAP Navigation Committee.
"The WAP has a rich history going back to the 19th century of
representing waterways stakeholders in the area," said Cmdr. Richard
Timme, commanding officer of Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh.
"Their expertise, counsel and enthusiasm are crucial components of a
highly functioning port district in this region of Penwnsylvania and
West Virginia. Their efforts directly contribute to increased marine
safety and security on our rivers."
WAP member companies transport more than 53 million tons of product
annually through the Port of Pittsburgh.