b'Rear Admiral John Mauger, the assistant commandant for Prevention Policy keynoted MariTrends 2022. The following is an excerpt of his remarks highlighting the importance of the maritime industry and key challenges and opportunities. M ore than 6,500 small passenger vessels transport in excessvessels that can do multiple things. Weve been able to create multi-certif-of 200 million passengers each year, making them a nota- icated vessels to provide this flexibility, but as the operating environment ble component of the U.S. Marine Transportation Systemgrows more complex these workarounds are less efficient and may be less (MTS). As part of the broader MTS, which supports $5.4 trillion ineffective. Going forward we need to figure out how best to regulate in an U.S. economic activity and provides more than 30 million jobs, passen- operating environment dominated not by either/or, but by and. ger vessels are also undergoing tremendous change. They are becoming more complex as our nation seeks to grow the capacity of the MTS,Space, the Final Frontier: Reusability is critical to the commercial-while also reducing environmental impact. Increasing capacity, zero en- ization of space activity. Right now, the primary way components are vironmental impact, and increased complexity is a triple challengeareused, are by recovering the rockets and components at sea. But our so-series of challenges we must face if we are going to continue to reap thecietys continued commercialization of space brings multiple challenges: benefits of a vibrant MTS.increased congestion and use of the waterways, extension of authorities to oversee safety beyond 12 nautical miles from shore, and limited use of TRIPLE CHALLENGE remote or automated unmanned vessel operations. Going forward well Increasing capacity: The combination of bigger things, more things,need explicit authority to allow for experimentation and innovation, and new things encompasses not only mariners, vessels, facilities, andwhile preserving mixed commercial use of the waterway. waterways, but also bridges, locks, and the many connection points to other modes. Over the last few years, weve seen an influx of new ultraGazingtotheFuture,GroundedinthePast:While there are large capacity vessels. In 2020, we saw the largest increase in recreationalmany changes happening all around us, which require us to think boating activity in recent years, anddifferently, we still have a fleet of over acorrespondingincreaseindeaths.10,000smallerself-propelledvessels Were also seeing new opportunitiesthat wont change as fast. This pres-tomakeuseoftheMTSincludingIncreasing capacity, zeroents at least two challenges. We must space activities and offshore wind. recognizewhenexternaldriversare environmental impact, andchanging the risk level onboard these Zero impact: Decarbonization is re- increased complexity is avessels, and take preventive action to shaping the industry, but zero impactmitigatetherisk.Wemustdevelop is more than just eliminating carbon.triple challengea seriesor access a workforce that is effective It entails a holistic approach to manag- across the entire spectrum of leading ing the vessels environmental impact,of challenges we must faceedgedesignstohistoricalmaritime from construction and operation torelics. This means rethinking how we shipbreaking.TheVesselIncidentalif we are going to continuemaintainourworkforceofmarine Discharge Act will create the largestinspectors and develop, or access, the domestic vessel compliance programto reap the benefits of askills we need in an increasingly com-weve ever developed and require usplex operating environment. to bring new skills, capabilities, andvibrant MTS. stakeholders to the table. Zero impactData is the New Oil: The only way is also about looking to the MTS as ato effectively assess carbon footprint is potential source for clean energy. If we are to achieve the administra- through continuous monitoring and data collection. The only way fully tions goal of generating 30 GW of power from offshore wind by 2030,autonomous vessels will be able to safely navigate is by artificial intelli-we will have accommodate new uses on the waterway. gence and continuous information exchange. Securing all of this infor-mation and the key enablers, such as precision navigation and timing, Complexity:Today,vesselsareusinghighlycomplexsoftwaretois critical. This will require a workforce with very different skills from maximize their power management, fuel consumption and operatingtodays workforce. At the same time, the massive sharing of information efficiency. With the rapid expansion of reliable global communications,will enable us to be much more effective and carry out our missions in many of these operations are either executed or enabled from shore side.very different ways.While these systems create opportunities, theyre also vulnerable to ex-ploitation through lapses and weaknesses in cyber security. PREVENTION CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS (CONOPS) AND READINESS INITIATIVEThese challenges are driving significant changes to maritime operations.The Prevention CONOPSstandards, compliance and assessmentThe vignettes below describe some of the practical changes that wereguide all marine safety missions. The U.S. Coast Guard sets standards facing today across the MTS. for the safe, secure, and sustainable operation of vessels, waterfront facilities, mariners, and the waterways on which they operate. In the CHANGING MARITIME OPERATIONSfield, Coast Guard personnel verify compliance with those standards Its All About And: Our regulations and statutes are based on definingthrough plan review, inspection, and document verification. Coast vessels for a particular purpose, yet commercial demands often requireGuard personnel and investigators conduct proactive assessments and 25 APRIL 2022'