Coast Guard to hire more civilian safety personnel

The U.S. Coast Guard is continuing its efforts to improve the effectiveness of its marine safety mission.

Rear Admiral James A. Watson, U.S. Coast Guard Director, Prevention Policy, has issued ALCOAST 568/08 giving an update on the Coast Guard's marine safety personnel plans for 2009.

The ALCOAST says, among other things, that "expansion efforts include a concerted effort to redefine our workforce. A nation-wide civilian hiring drive targeting a broad spectrum of commercial maritime enterprises will provide a wide range of expertise to help the Coast Guard to better understand the industry we regulate. We will seek to recruit experienced mariners from all portions of the operating industry and people from ancillary maritime industries such as shipbuilding, port engineers, quality control personnel, and other seagoing related shore-side professionals. Some of these positions will be career-ladder structured to ensure appropriate professional development, retention, and longevity."