US Coast Guard Visits the New Maritime Program

U.S. Coast Guard Commander Mark Bottiglieri, accompanied by Training Officer Mark Simpson, met with the Dean of the College of Science and Technology, as well as Faculty, Staff and Students of the Maritime Program in the Science Building on February 1, 2012.

The purpose of the visit was to preview the newly proposed Maritime Certification Program in the Department of Transportation Studies. The event opened by Dean Lei Yu, commenting on the excellent performance accredited to the Transportation Studies Department at TSU since its inception and the impressive progress of the Maritime Program since its founding in 2010. Dr. Yi Qi, Chai of the Transportation Studies Department and briefed the U.S. Coast Guard Officers about the development of the proposed maritime certification program at TSU and discussed opportunities for mutual benefit within TSU’s existing partnership with the USCG.

The USCG Officers attended an exciting presentation of the proposed Maritime Certification Program, developed by Prof. Maria Burns in the Maritime Transportation Management and Security program. The new courses pertain to STCW compliance and cover areas such as Emergency Response, Tank Ship & Dangerous Cargo Handling, Environmental Protection and Ship Management. The USCG Officials were impressed by the content of the proposed certification program and considered that it will produce more competent maritime professionals to accommodate shipping business influx that is continuously growing in the Port of Houston and the surrounding states. 

 The visit strengthened the existing partnership between the USCG and TSU, and will contribute to improving maritime industry standards. 

Photo from Left to Right: Mrs. Ursurla Williams (Maritime Program Coordinator), Prof. Yi Qi (Chair of the Transportation Studies Department), Prof. Maria Burns (Visiting Instructor in Maritime Program), Prof. Lei Yu (Dean), Commander Mark Bottiglieri (Chief Prevention Department), and Mr. Mark H. Simpson (Training Officer). 

The U.S. Coast Guard officials with students and faculty of the Department of Transportation Studies.