PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Coast Guard holds first-of-their-kind fuel workshops, trains examiners from across U.S.

united states coast guard 

 News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas
Contact: Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise
Office: 409-723-6559
PA Detachment Texas online newsroom

Coast Guard holds first-of-their-kind fuel workshops, trains examiners from across U.S.

Coast Guard fuel examiners practice extinguishing a liquefied natural gas fire during a low-flashpoint fuel workshop in Jacksonville, Florida, Sept. 20, 2021. At the first-of-their-kind workshops, instructors trained examiners from across the U.S. and enhanced their technical competence in low-flashpoint fuel systems. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy Scott Mercurio)

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

PORT ARTHUR, Texas  Personnel from the Coast Guard’s Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise led the service’s inaugural low-flashpoint fuel workshops in Jacksonville, Florida, from Sept. 13-17 and 20-24.

Workshop instructors trained the first wave of Coast Guard low-flashpoint fuel examiners serving at units from across the U.S. This training enhanced examiners’ technical competence on low-flashpoint fuel systems, which will promote national examination consistency and mitigate risks throughout the U.S. Marine Transportation System.

Representatives from the Coast Guard’s Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance, Training Center Yorktown, the Office of Design and Engineering Standards, Traveling Inspection Staff, and the Cruise Ship National Center of Expertise also participated and provided support throughout the workshops.

“The Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise plays a critical role in ensuring the Coast Guard maintains pace with an industry that continues to evolve and innovate to reduce environmental impacts,” said Lt. Cmdr. William Hickey, detachment chief, LGC NCOE. “The low-flashpoint fuel workshops directly support the line of effort of transforming workforce capacity and partnerships within the Coast Guard’s Maritime Commerce Strategic Outlook.”

Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville personnel hosted the workshops and provided field subject matter expertise.

“We are grateful for our industry partners throughout the Jacksonville maritime community who provided invaluable industry insight into our program,” said Lt. Cmdr. Steven Lewis, chief of inspections, Sector Jacksonville.

A group of fuel examiners and instructors pose for a photograph in front of Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, Florida, during one of the service’s inaugural low-flashpoint fuel workshops, Sept. 16, 2021. At the workshops, instructors enhanced examiners’ technical competence in low-flashpoint fuel systems. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy Lt. Rachel Laplante)
A group of fuel examiners and instructors pose for a photograph in front of Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, Florida, during one of the service’s inaugural low-flashpoint fuel workshops, Sept. 23, 2021. At the workshops, instructors enhanced examiners’ technical competence in low-flashpoint fuel systems. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy Lt. Rachel Laplante)
Coast Guard Lt. Ben Shen, an instructor from the Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise in Port Arthur, Texas, teaches at a low-flashpoint fuel workshop in Jacksonville, Florida, Sept. 15, 2021. At the first-of-their-kind workshops, instructors trained examiners from across the U.S. and enhanced their technical competence in low-flashpoint fuel systems. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy Lt. Cmdr. William Hickey)

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