Harbor Safety Committees - Progress for the 21st Century Editorial by Judith K. Rovins, President
Motivators - JK Rovins Associates LLC

Harbor safety committees comprising the partnering of the public and private sector are recognized now as the catalyst for improving port safety and port competition. Issuing challenges for future port efficiencies while speaking at a national harbor safety committees progress conference in New York City on March 6-7, 2000, the nationally known speakers addressed the Maritime Transportation Report.

Headliners included Mortimer L. Downey, Deputy Secretary of U.S. Transportation; ADM James M. Loy, USCG, Commandant; John Graykowski, Deputy Administrator, Maritime Administration; RADM Robert C. North, Assistant Commandant, Marine Safety & Environmental Protection; U.S. Congressman James L. Oberstar; and ADM E.E. Mitropoulos, Director, Maritime Safety Division, IMO. Media figures Peter Tirschwell, Editor, Journal of Commerce, and Michael Grey, Opinion Editor, Lloyd's List, moderated discussion groups.

The Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey hosted with the cooperation of the US Coast Guard the Second Annual National Conference of Harbor Safety Committees Progress for the 21st Century, held March 6-7, 2000, at Windows on the World, World Trade Center, New York City.

A new website for harbor safety committees' internal and external communication was presented along with a discussion of its intended uses and benefits. See www.uscg.mil/hq/uscga/harborsafetyweb/ConfProceedings.htm.

Panelists presented future trends from the operating side of container carrier alliances in port competition issues. Will there be a crisis over container traffic?

RADM Robert C. North advised the harbor safety committees to do what works in their respective ports. What's good for safety is good for competitiveness was the message.

The March 2001 Harbor Safety Committees Progress Conference will be held on the West Coast.

David Robbins posted in new magazine format on www.MotivatorsConference.com the Motivators Report which holds some of the white papers presented March 6-7, 2000. Common port issues and risk assessment tools are discussed.