National Ocean Industries Association Annual Meeting

Sea Technology, May 2005 by Kearns, Michael

From April 14-16, 2005, the members of the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) gathered in Washington, D.C. for their Annual Meeting. Over the course of the three days, the 183 members in attendance enjoyed an opportunity to hear from distinguished political commentators and leading policymakers, as well as to meet with one another to discuss the current economic and political environment facing the industry.

Safety in Seas Award

At the Annual Meeting, NOIA also announced this year's winner of the NOIA Safety in Seas Award. Noble Corp. was selected as the 2005 recipient in recognition of its comprehensive system for linking health, safety and environment (HSE) practices with overall business performance. This "Noble Way" management system ensures that HSE principles are incorporated into day-to-day practices for everyone at the company.

Acknowledging the significant contributions made by modern-day pioneers in their pursuit of the ocean frontier, Compass Publications Inc., publishers of Sea Technology magazine, established the NOIA Safety in Seas Award in 1978. The award recognizes excellence among those who, by their actions, design or influence, have contributed to improving the safety of life offshore. The award, now in its 27th year, continues to serve as a testimony to the high standards associated with the rapid growth of the ocean industries. This year's award was presented by C. Amos Bussmann, president of Compass Publications and publisher of Sea Technology magazine.

According to their company, the successful implementation of the Noble Way has reduced lost-time and recordable incidents for the past 11 consecutive years. In 2004, 93 percent of the Noble fleet operated without any lost-time incidents at all.

Noble's award-winning nomination was selected by a blue-ribbon panel of judges. The judges awarded Noble the honor in recognition of the company's dramatic overall improvement of the corporate safety culture and uniform implementation of stringent safety standards in its operations throughout the world.

Highlights

NOIA membership also heard from key policymakers. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) addressed the membership during the general session. Landrieu highlighted her efforts to ensure Louisiana receives a greater share of the revenue that offshore production currently generates for the federal treasury.

Council on Environmental Quality Chairman Jim Connaughton also spoke at great length about President George W. Bush's recently developed Ocean Action Plan.

In a session of the Government Affairs Committee, NOIA members had an opportunity to talk with Senator Frank Wagner (R-Va.) about his efforts to bring the offshore industry to his state.

During other working committee sessions, NOIA members discussed the developing Integrated Ocean Observing System, the involvement of consumer groups like the American Gas Association in energy policy outreach and the legislative progress on marine mammal protection legislation and efforts to revamp the National Environmental Policy Act compliance systems.

By Michael Kearns

Director of Public Affairs

National Ocean Industries Association

Washington, D.C.