New Orleans – Adm. Thad Allen will announce the opening of the Investigation National Center of Expertise (INCOE) in New Orleans and the Outer Continental Shelf National Center of Expertise (OCS NCOE) in Morgan City, La., at the International WorkBoat Show Friday. The National Centers of Expertise are positioned throughout the nation in areas where industry will best benefit due to concentrated maritime activity.
Both Centers are envisioned to capture the best practices of investigations and Marine Safety and incorporate them into advanced training opportunities throughout the Coast Guard. These Centers are an excellent venue for the maritime industry to engage the Coast Guard with questions regarding the marine casualty investigation process, drug and alcohol testing requirements, technical knowledge and Marine Safety.
The INCOE offers unique training opportunities because of access to the Inland Rivers, the Intracoastal Waterway and the Offshore Sector and is a great training bed for investigating many different types of marine casualties. With its vast waterways, maritime activity and the Port of New Orleans as one of the busiest ports in the U.S., the Eighth Coast Guard District investigates over 40 percent of all of the nation’s vessel collisions, allisions, and groundings and is a logical place for the INCOE. The INCOE provides the expertise necessary to conduct quality major marine casualty investigations, including formal investigations and investigations on casualties of special concern.
With 30 percent of the nation's energy needs coming from the Gulf of Mexico, the OCS NCOE will regulate OCS activities through education, regulations and overseeing work-place safety to ensure life and property of OCS components are preserved. It will enhance Marine Safety in the Industry by creating consistent and competent benchmarks of technical knowledge and skills which can be applied on a national and international level.
The International WorkBoat Show is the largest commercial marine trade show in North America serving people and businesses working on the coastal, inland and offshore waters.
