b'portunities, credentialing reform, andtocreateasecretaryoftheCoastInvestmentsinworkforcedevelop-support for maritime academies andGuard, a new civilian leadership posi- ment,bothatthefederalacademies training centers.tion modeled after the structure of theandthroughcivilianprograms,can other armed services. Secretary Noemexpand the pipeline of qualified mari-U.S. COAST GUARD says that the secretary would provideners to crew U.S.-flagged vessels. And Thisrenewedattentiontomaritimepolitical leadership, strategic direction,a stronger, more focused Coast Guard issues was on full display at the U.S.and civilian oversight, with the com- maybeadirectbenefittomaritime CoastGuardAcademys2025com- mandant reporting directly to that sec- safety and security.mencementceremonyinNewLon- retary. The position would align under don, Conn. There, Homeland Secu- the secretary of homeland security orAs always, your Passenger Vessel As-rity Secretary Kristi Noem addressedsecretary of defense, depending on thesociation is engaged and following the graduating class and Coast GuardCoast Guards operational posture. developments. We are meeting with leadership with major announcementslawmakers and regulators to advocate about the services future direction. FortheU.S.passengervesselin- for the unique needs of passenger ves-dustry,thesedevelopmentscarrysel operators in both legislative and ex-First, she announced the nominationrealpotential.Increasedfundingecutiveactions.Whetheradvocating of Admiral Kevin Lunday to serve asfor small shipyards can support vesselfor small shipyard funds, tracking the the28thCommandantoftheU.S.repairs and new construction projects.CoastGuardsreforms,orpushing Coast Guard. Admiral Lunday, whoRegulatorystreamliningmayhelpforsmartregulatoryupdates,PVA has been serving as acting comman- operatorsmodernizefleetswithoutremains the trusted voice for this vital dant since January, is expected to beunnecessaryadministrativedelays.segment of the maritime economy.confirmed by the Senate. His appoint-ment comes at a pivotal moment in the 235-year history of the Coast Guard, as the service prepares for a generation-al shift in strategy and organization.That shift is outlined in Force Design 2028 (FD2028), a new strategic plan that Secretary Noem described as the most significant change to the Coast Guard since 1915, when the Lifesav-ing Service merged with the Revenue CutterService.FD2028isanambi-tiousplantorestructureandmod-ernize the Coast Guard into a more agile,capable,andmission-ready force. The plan calls for an increase of 15,000 Coast Guard personnel and areductioninflagofficers;stream-lineddecisionmakingandadmin-istrativeprocedures;new,advanced equipment, ships, and new, advanced technology to run them. There is even a new physical fitness requirement.Butperhapsthemostconsequential elementoftheplanistheproposal 37 JUNE 2025'