b'FOGHORN FOCUS Upon Further InspectionWHAT THE GROWING ARRAY OF PROPULSION TECHNOLOGIES MEANS FOR MARINE INSPECTORSThroughout the maritime industry, many vessel operators are looking for ways to lessen the environmental impact of their fleets, and often the focus is on greenhouse gas emissions from engines. There are more options on the market today than ever before, and research and development are pushing technology along at a rapid pace. As such, operators are refitting existing ships and planning new builds to have more ecologically minded propulsion systems. While this is a huge step forward for protecting the environment, it means marine inspec-tors are responsible for examining a wider variety of engine systems. We spoke to Captain Dan Cost, P.E. and Captain Mark Neeland of the U.S. Coast Guard to learn what advancements in propulsion mean for the people who make sure the U.S. passenger fleet is safe and ready to sail.What are some of the various propulsion systems and fuel sourcesCapt. Cost: It absolutely starts with our maritime partners. Our part-beyond the traditional diesel system that the U.S. Coast Guardners are not only those who are operating the ships, but also include has seen in passenger vessels in recent years? the ship designers, the shipyards, and the system manufacturers. We have great relationships and thats very helpful. These are topics that Cost: We see hybrid electric, electric, and we are starting to see hydro- are being studied by our active-duty members who are going to grad genwe have one hydrogen vessel on the West Coast, the Sea Change.schools. For our civilians or the people on staff now, when we can we There are, not necessarily for passenger vessels yet, some commercialtake advantage of the professional development opportunities that operators that are looking at methanol and methanol reformation toare out there to engage with the system designers, to engage with the hydrogen. Theres also a bigger ongoing discussion with ammonia thatclass societies. That on-the-job training which is applicable for a par-were working on. A little down the road, say five to six years, theresticular propulsion system, helps us sit at the table as were looking at quite a bit of research with respect to advanced or modern nuclear withthe design, engaging early in the design, to build that relationship and molten salt reactors, which is a different type of nuclear technologythen work through the process. Thats how were doing it now on the than we all think of when we think of pressurized water reactors. Wereengineering side. certainly engaged with many of the companies that are working on all PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. COAST GUARDof these.Neeland: As the plans are approved and systems are accepted by the Coast Guard, theres a lot of interaction at the field level with How do your teams prepare for inspections on vessels with newerthe headquarters level to understand what the requirements are, so propulsion technology or fuel sources? Are all inspectors trainedtheres a lot of learning as we go. Over the past couple of years, the on all propulsion options or is there a system of specializationCoast Guard has implemented what we call MIPSA, the Marine with certain inspectors focusing on only one, or a few, new tech- InspectorPerformanceSupportArchitecture.Wevereallygone nologies and fuels?and revitalized our whole training system. Under the old system, Opposite: CWO4 Chris Ellison inspects lithium-ion battery storage rack on the Maid of the Mist vessel Nikola Tesla.FOGHORN 16'