CSA seeks entries for environmental achievement awards

The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) is inviting companies to participate in the Eighth Annual Environmental Achievement Award Program administered by CSA.

“CSA’s Board of Directors initiated this award program eight years ago” said Joseph J. Cox, President of CSA. He continued “This is a great opportunity for owners and operators to recognize the accomplishments of their mariners and shore-side staff. While the public hear of instances when there are environmental problems, we want them to know that this industry has an excellent record of environmental accomplishment. We have seen a growing awareness of this program among the industry since we began. Last year, 1.091 vessels owned or operated by sixty-four companies received awards totaling 7,829 years of environmental excellent operation. The award is available to all owners and operators, whether or not a CSA member. The Board encourages all vessel owners and operators to nominate their compliant vessels for this award.”

Vessels eligible as of August 31, 2011 will be accepted.

To be eligible for the award, a vessel must have for at least a two-year period:

• No reportable spills (a report of a “potential spill” is not disqualifying);
• No U.S. Coast Guard citations for violations of MARPOL;
• No port state citations for violations of MARPOL; and,
• No violations of state/local pollution regulations.

Vessels are eligible for awards beyond the initial two year period. Mr. Cox said that the vast majority of the vessels receiving awards last year were for performance beyond the initial two year qualifying period.

The awards will be given to the recipients at a dinner ceremony in Washington, DC on November 17 that is attended by high-level Coast Guard, Maritime Administration, EPA and other government agency personnel. Log onto CSA’s website www.knowships.org for all the details of the 2011 Environmental Achievement Awards, the dinner and hotel reservations.

The deadline for submitting vessel entries is Monday, October 3, 2011.

August 2, 2011