Oil Patch Bits: Foss praised for safety, compliance and leadership

Foss Maritime Co. said March 31 that U.S. Coast Guard admirals from commands in Puget Sound and the San Francisco Bay Area agree: When it comes to safety and compliance, Foss Maritime is an industry leader.

The two U.S. Coast Guard admirals — G.T. Blore from the Seattle-based 13th Coast Guard District and J.R. Castillo from the Alameda, Calif.-based 11th Coast Guard District — wrote letters to Foss officials praising the company for its completion of voluntary towing vessel examinations.

Foss officials say that 35 out of its 36 tugs have passed the voluntary exam, which the Coast Guard and federal government consider a bridge to mandatory towing vessel regulations. The Richmond, Calif.-based Bay Area group was the first at Foss to complete the voluntary exams, according to Capt. Igor Loch, the company’s director of marine assurance. That region was followed by the Pacific Northwest, Columbia-Snake River and Southern California.

Gary Faber, president and COO of Seattle-based Foss, said the admirals’ letters underscore both the company’s commitment to safety and its willingness to partner with regulators in the ongoing development of new maritime rules and regulations. Loch called Coast Guard recognition of Foss’ corporate commitment to safety — both in terms of investment and training — especially gratifying in today’s maritime environment.