2008 Yearbook
License Insurance
Helping to Recruit and Retain
A recently released report by the US Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MarAd) starkly confirmed what most marine operators already know -- and have known for the past several years. There are not enough qualified, licensed mariners to meet the industry's needs. According to the MarAd survey, almost two-thirds of the respondents said that they had trouble in the past year finding qualified job applicants, with the largest area of concern being the hiring of licensed deck officers. And troubling as it is to get new applicants, what makes the problem even worse is the fact that over half of the survey's respondents claimed that it is becoming increasingly difficult to retain qualified mariners, with 88 percent reporting that retention issues have negatively impacted business operations. And there is no quick fix as 71 percent of the respondents believe the problem will persist for at least five years. While MarAd plans on further studying the problem and publicizing the issue in an effort to attract potential qualified candidates, marine operators need to quickly come up with incentives not only to attract new employees but, as importantly, strategies to retain their current licensed mariners. An important part of that strategy is to provide meaningful employee benefits to their officers that clearly distinguish their company from its competitors -- for business and licensed employees. One attractive benefit is Marine License Insurance. In fact many marine companies across the country have already taken that step and are incorporating license insurance for their licensed officers into their benefits packages in a variety of ways. Some companies pay the full annual premium, while others partially subsidize the cost or merely provide their employees an easy payment method using the payroll deduction approach. At its basic level, marine license insurance is simply a pre-paid legal defense policy that, in exchange for one low annual premium, provides a licensed officer with legal representation when he/she is involved in a marine casualty that triggers a Coast Guard investigation. The
L-3 Marine Systems
Program Manager Marine Project Engineer
L-3 Marine Systems is seeking experienced Program Managers and Marine Project Engineers to lead complex programs involving design and integration of shipboard propulsion, electrical, communication and control systems. Program Manager Specific responsibilities and accountabilities will include: � Leading, planning, directing, and controlling both internal resources and subcontractors to achieve contract technical performance requirements within cost, schedule, and quality objectives. � Overall project management from the bidding stage to delivery of the vessels, ensuring that technical, schedule, and cost performance objectives of contracts are met. � Effective communication with regulatory bodies, outside engineering firms, ship owners' representatives, subcontractors, suppliers, and other L-3 Companies as required to achieve program objectives. Marine Project Engineer Specific responsibilities and accountabilities will include: � Application for and preparation of required documentation and certifications for vessels in accordance with contract requirements and the delivery schedule. � The design, test, certification, installation and verification of integrated electric propulsion systems on board sea-going ships. � Development of overall system level requirements, equipment and machinery specifications, schematics, wiring diagrams, regulatory bodies compliance plans, signal lists, reports and other technical documentation required for proper system integration. Skills and Qualifications: Education: 4-year bachelor's degree in Engineering, Naval Architecture, or Marine Engineering. A Master's degree is desirable. Experience: The successful candidates will have at least five years experience in the marine or related industries, and will have successfully managed a marine overhaul or new construction program. Other: US Citizenship. In addition, selected applicants may be subject to a government security investigation, and if so, must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. E-mail your letter of interest and resume to
L-3 Marine Systems 750 Miller Drive, SE, Leesburg, VA 20175 Jobs.Marine@L-3Com.com
An Equal Opportunity Employer June 2008 www.marinelink.com 55