Houston Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee Defined
HOGANSAC: Authorized by Public Law 102-241
• Houston-Galveston Safety Advisory Committee
Committee Chair: Ms. Tava Foret
Committee Vice-Chair: Mr. John Salvesen
• Mission Statement:
The Houston/Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Department of Homeland Security on matters relating to the transit of vessels and products to and from the Ports of Galveston, Texas City and Houston, Texas. Due to the geographical nature of the port complex (three ports, common and shared channels, and an environmentally sensitive bay which is transited), along with the diverse industries utilizing the port complex (pleasure craft, container ships, cruise ships, tankers, freighters, passenger ferries, tugs/tows, and commercial fishing vessels) it is necessary to have a group of individuals with individual knowledge and the ability to reach out to constituents to effectively provide this advice and recommendations.
• Commercial Recovery Contingency (CRC) Subcommittee Mission Statement:
The Houston Sector is one of the most dynamic and commercially sensitive areas in the United States. It will be the focus of this committee to investigate a safe interface and commercially viable multi-modal response aimed at recovery from an event of critical closure of the waterways that will allow commerce to resume movement into and out of the Houston-Galveston area while looking beyond our local boundaries and encompassing a regional approach. Additionally, we will reach out beyond the maritime community to determine the resources, capabilities, and possible barriers to be encountered to ensure the Continuity of Regional Port Operations.
• Dredging Subcommittee Mission Statement:
The mission of the HOGANSAC Dredging Subcommittee is to provide a forum to discuss, communicate, and as necessary make recommendations to HOGANSAC regarding dredging issues as related to safety within the Houston, Texas City, Galveston area waterways. The subcommittee will meet on a regular basis at times and locations determined by the subcommittee. The subcommittee will be chaired by an individual appointed by HOGANSAC. Attendance at the meeting will be open to the public. Minutes for each meeting will be kept and provided to the secretariat of HOGANSAC.
• Navigation Operations Subcommittee Mission Statement:
Our purpose is to: improve the incident rate of ships/barges being pulled off docks by passing traffic; monitor safe access issues; discuss navigational near misses and ATON knockdowns; and raise awareness by communicating with channel stakeholders, thus reducing the risk to people, property and the environment.
The subcommittee’s objective is to identify areas of concern; provide HOGANSAC with recommendations and shared best practices, which will improve safety on the channel as well as minimize the impact should an incident occur.
• Outreach Subcommittee Mission Statement:
Increase the interest and participation in the overall business of HOGANSAC to ensure that all stakeholders are represented.
Act as liaison with other relevant federal advisory committees and maritime industry trade associations in order to facilitate opportunities to share best practices.
• Technology Subcommittee Mission Statement:
Investigate Technologies that may have maritime navigation applications.
Act as a liaison with scientific and industrial trade associations to promote technologies advancing maritime navigational safety.
• Waterways Safety & Utilization Subcommittee Mission Statement:
The “Waterways Safety & Utilization”, a sub-committee of the Houston-Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (HOGANSAC), is dedicated to enhancing navigational safety and port security while effectively facilitating commerce within the port complex.
The workgroup’s effort shall focus on supporting and monitoring the compliance with all current regulations associated with the safety of the seafarers, ships and environment of the Ports complexes.
In doing so, the following fundamental principles will serve as a guide:
Improve safety and security aboard vessels and the facilities the vessels call upon, without adversely impacting the commercial viability of the port complex.
Develop cooperation and partnerships among Pilots, seafarers, ship owners, charterers, terminal operators and ship agents to maximize safety and security aboard vessels on the waterways.
Implement a safety culture that reflects utmost concern for the Safety of Vessels, Seafarers, Cargo and the Environment.
HOGANSAC Members:
Ms. Tava Foret (Chair) / Foret Enterprises, Inc.
At-large member representing interest group utilizing port facilities.
Mr. John Salvesen (Vice Chair) / ODFJELL USA, Inc.
At-large member representing interest group utilizing port facilities
CAPT William J. Diehl (Executive Director) / Commander U.S.C.G. Sector Houston-Galveston, Captain of the Port, Houston-Galveston
CDR Hal R. Pitts (Executive Secretary) / U.S.C.G. Sector Houston-Galveston
Chief, Waterways Management Branch
LT Sean Hughes (Asst. to the Executive Secretary) / U.S.C.G. Sector Houston-Galveston
Chief, Waterways Management Branch
Point of contact for inquiries
Mr. Ronald P. Sikora / American Commercial Lines (ACL), LLC
Represents tug and barge operators using Galveston Texas City or Houston port facilities.
Captain Carlos Lozano / Teekay Shipping (USA), Inc.
Represents licensed merchant mariners, other than pilots, who perform shipboard duties on vessels which utilize the port facilities of Galveston and Houston
Mr. Steven Huttman / G&H Towing Company
Represents tug and barge operators using Galveston, Houston port facilities Houston port facilities.
Mr. Adib Nasir / Oil Tanking Houston
Represents shipping companies transporting cargo to/from the Houston/Galveston area
Mr. Jason Haley / Port of Texas City
Texas City port complex representative
Capt. Chris Gutierrez / Galveston-Texas City Pilot Association
Pilot organization representative
Mr. Lloyd Saunders / Port of Houston Authority
Port of Houston representative
Mr. Jimmy Jamison / Port of Houston Authority
Port of Houston representative
Capt. Tom Pace / Houston Pilots Association
Pilot organization representative
Mr. Niels Aalund / West Gulf Maritime Assoc.
Represents labor and employer organizations that load and unload cargo at the Port of Houston/Galveston
Capt. John Peterlin, III / Port of Galveston
Port of Galveston representative
Mr. Stephan “Phil” Glenn / Clean Channel Association, Inc.
Environmental group representative
Dr. James McCloy / Texas A&M Univ. of Galveston
Public Member
Mr. Stephen Flores / Seawolf Marine Patrol, Inc.
Member representing recreational boaters
Capt. Joseph Hill / Valero Energy USA
Ship owner, stevedore, shipyard or shipping organization domiciled in State of Texas representative
Capt. Robert Sheen / Ocean Shipholdings, Inc.
Ship owner, stevedore, shipyard or shipping organization domiciled in State of Texas representative
Ms. Darlene Ruiz / Mediterranean Shipping Company, USA
Represents shipping companies transporting cargo to/from the Houston/Galveston area
CAPT Marcus E. Woodring / U.S.C.G. Sector Houston-Galveston
Alternate Captain of the Port Houston-Galveston
Steve Nerheim / U.S.C.G. Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Houston/Galveston
Operations Director