Maritime interests plan a Congressional Sail-in on Washington

The U.S. Maritime Coalition has announced plans for its second annual Congressional “Sail-In,” an effort to educate members of Congress on the importance of the American maritime industry. The event is scheduled to be conducted on Capitol Hill on May 4, 2011.

A broad range of maritime interests is expected to participate, including international and domestic carriers, terminal operators, maritime labor unions. Sponsors listed on the event’s web page include ABS, the American Salvage Association, the Shipbuilders Council of America and others.

VADM Albert J. Herberger, a former U.S. Maritime Administrator and current head of the volunteer organizing group, said that for last year’s event, “We had folks from 20 states, 48 congressional districts, 28 companies, nine unions and labor organizations, and 10 related associations. That’s a powerful message to Congress.”

According to the coalition, at this year’s event, the stakes have been raised by a changing political climate. A large class of freshman congressional representatives, as well as the loss of several longtime friends of the maritime industry, means that it’s now more important than ever to mobilize and stand up for a strong maritime industry.

For more information on the Sail-In, as well as registration instructions, visit www.maritimeindustrysailin.com