Maritime Association of the Port of
New York and New Jersey

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Year 2000 Maritime Issues Conferencein New York City,
February 23-24, 1998
Media Coverage by Marine News, March 26, 1998

Y2K poses a host of obstacles for the commercial marine industry

Impact of the potential worldwide computer problem
on the commercial maritime industry

The Maritime Association of the Port of New York & New Jersey, in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, sponsored The Year 2000 Maritime Issues Conference on February 23-24, 1998 in New York City. The event was organized by The Motivators-JK Rovins Associates LLC.

Among the distinguished speakers were
...Thomas Falvey, Assoc. Director, National Security,
..... Office-Secretary of Transportation;
...Professor Dick Lefkon, New York University;
...Scott Withee, Manager, Allocations,
..... Mobil Shipping & Transportation Company;
...Eugene F. Taylor, Jr., Director, Information
......Resource Management, Office of the Chief
......Information Officer, US Department of
......Transportation;
...Howard S. Kossoy, Vice President,
..... Millenium Development, SCI.

Rear Admiral George N. Naccara, Director, Information and Technology for the US Coast Guard and Captain Thomas H. Gilmour, Director, Field Activities, Marine Safety & Environmental Protection at US Coast Guard Headquarters gave opening addresses.

Nick Cretan, Executive Director of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York & New Jersey, noted that shipboard computer failures could give rise to some very serious problems. He cited a British technical journal which recently warned that the failure of microchips and software could mean that satellite position control systems may indicate incorrect positions or none at all; onboard electronic mapping systems may display incorrect sea surface charts; automatic control systems may lock up; and vessels' power plants could shut down. The problem list also included engine vibration monitors, cargo loading software and global maritime distress and safety system equipment.