Have you ever considered getting a proposal on your employee benefits from MASC?  MASC would like to invite you to explore our options, and take advantage of the MASC Group Insurance Trust, like many of your fellow MASC members.

Groups of all sizes are looking for ways to control the rising cost of health insurance. The MASC Group Insurance Trust is a solution to ACA imposed regulations, through a fully-insured program.

The MASC Group Insurance Trust can help your company avoid the ACA Community Rating and join a large group pool of maritime related companies to help control costs. Any South Carolina based maritime company and companies that directly support the maritime industry can participate in the plan.

Member Benefits:

·                   Groups with 2 or more benefit eligible employees may be eligible participate in the MASC Group Health Insurance Trust plans.

·                   The MASC Group Health Insurance Trust plans will not be subject to the “Essential Health Benefits” Requirement.

·                   The MASC Group Health Insurance Trust plans will offer composite rates, not the age banded rates of small group.

·                   By joining the MASC Health Insurance Trust, you are eligible for large group plan designs and premium benefits. 

• Streamlined Enrollment
• Free COBRA administration
• One Website
• One ID Card
• One Monthly Bill
• One Member Services
• One Phone Number

If you would like to take advantage of your association’s special relationship with BlueCross BlueShield of SC to provide the smartest possible benefits your business and your employees, please let us know.

Why You Should Join The MASC Group Insurance Trust?

The Maritime Association of South Carolina, Executive Director

Overview:

The Maritime Association of SC (MASC) is a Non-for-Profit member-based trade association that connects the maritime industry and entities that support maritime commerce. The MASC serves as a platform for information dissemination, collaboration, and partnership within its membership. The MASC advocates for issues impacting the industry and serves to advance, promote and protect the interests of the maritime community across South Carolina.

Executive Director:

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) will have overall strategic and operational responsibility to lead the day-to-day business of the Association, MASC staff, Association programs, expansion, and execution of its mission. She or he will initially develop deep knowledge of the field, core programs, operations, and business plans.

Applicants should send their resume to Bradley Kerr at  <bkerr@detyens.com>.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Management:

• Serves as a facilitator to the Board of Directors

• Ensures ongoing Association success through consistent financial stewardship, administration, fundraising, communications, and event planning and execution; recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve the strategic goals to the MASC Board of Directors

• Effectively engages board members and energizes MASC’s volunteers, committees, alums, partnering organizations, and membership at large.

• Supports the MASC Board of Directors; serves as ex-officio of standing committees; seeks and builds board and at-large membership involvement with strategic direction to maintain and grow the Association

• Creates complete business plans for the attainment of goals and objectives set by the board of directors

• Develops and implements strategies to promote the organization’s mission and “voice.”

• Creates complete business plans for the attainment of goals and objectives set by the Board of Directors

• Builds an effective team of leaders by providing guidance and coaching to subordinate managers

• Ensures adherence to the organization’s daily activities and long-term plans to established policies and legal guidelines

• Reviews staff and committee reports ensuring understanding of the Association’s financial and non-financial position

• Devises remedial actions for any identified issues and conducts crisis management when necessary

Fundraising & Communications:

• Direct and oversee investments, revenue, and fundraising efforts

• Forge and maintain relations of trust with shareholders, partners, and external authorities

• Develop and implement strategies to promote the organization’s mission and “voice.”

• Act as the public speaker and public relations representative of the company in ways that strengthen its profile

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills

Qualifications:

The Executive Director will be thoroughly committed to the MASC's mission. All candidates should have proven leadership, coaching, and relationship management experience. Specific requirements include:

• Advanced degree ideal with at least ten years of senior management experience; track record of effectively leading and scaling a performance/outcome-based organization and staff; ability to point to specific examples of having developed and operationalized strategies that have taken an organization to the next stage of growth and value

• Unwavering commitment to the Association’s success

• Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high-performance teams of volunteers, set and achieve objectives, and deliver meticulous budget management

• Exceptional meeting facilitation skills and ability to effectively collaborate with diverse and dynamic groups

• Past success working with a Board of Directors with the ability to cultivate existing board member relationships

• Strong marketing, public relations, and fundraising experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures

• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to business planning

• Self-directed mission-driven passion, integrity, and positive demeanor

NAVAL VESSEL PROTECTION ZONE – WHARF ALPHA

Cooper River, Goose Creek, SC

Joint Base Charleston will be conducting explosive operations at Wharf Alpha on the Cooper River in Goose Creek, SC from May 22, 2023, to May 28, 2023. Mariners are advised a Naval Vessel Protection Zone exists around all U.S. Naval Vessels greater than 100 feet in length. Mariners are urged to use caution while transiting the area.

This MSIB can be viewed at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/charleston. For questions or concerns regarding this MSIB, please contact on-scene security assets via VHF-FM Channel 16, Joint Base Port

Operations (843) 794-7746, Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at (843) 740-3184, or the Sector’s 24-hour Command Center at (843) 740-7050.

The ABS Summit was originally scheduled to be in-person, but is now virtual and set for Thursday, 18 May.

Register here:

MTSA Cybersecurity Summit (abs-group.com)

Participation is free and will cover:

- Pressing cyber threats and vulnerabilities in the maritime industry

- Recent guidance and recommendations from US Coast Guard and National Cybersecurity Strategy

- Drills and exercises: how to incorporate cybersecurity into required physical drills and exercises (TTX’s for MTSA Facilities)

The Coast Guard Maritime Industry Cybersecurity Resource can be found here: www.uscg.mil/MaritimeCyber

TEMPORARY DEVIATION – LITTLE RIVER SWING BRIDGE

Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway – Little River, SC

The Little River Swing Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, mile marker 347.3, in Little River, South Carolina, has an approved temporary deviation to remain closed for vessel traffic on May 15, 2023 from 6:00 p.m., through 6:00 a.m. on May 16, 2023. This pre-determined schedule is necessary to facilitate repairs.

Vessels able to safely pass without an opening may do so at any time.

In the event a declared emergency opening is requested, all accommodations will be made to facilitate the request as soon as possible, but openings outside of the above schedule cannot be guaranteed.

Mariners are encouraged to plan transits accordingly to avoid unnecessary disruptions. The Little River Swing Bridge Tender may be contacted at (843) 339-3539.

This MSIB can be viewed at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/charleston. For questions or concerns regarding this MSIB, please contact the Sector Charleston 24-hour Command Center at (843) 740-7050.

The Ports Authority is calling on members of the Maritime Association to support plans for redevelopment at the Union Pier.

“With great public and city input, we have created a plan to transform Union Pier into a new mixed-use neighborhood with significant public assets for the city,” the Ports Authority explains. 

Submit comments in support of the project for the city’s TRC meeting coming up. The comment portal is open now here: https://www.charleston-sc.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05182023-8286.

The Maritime Association would also urge members to attend the June 7th Planning Commission meeting to speak in support. It will be at the passenger terminal. Doors open at 3:30, and the meeting starts at 5 pm. 

More details on upcoming meetings can be found here: https://www.unionpiersc.com/public-meetings.

Support this project if you want to see this in downtown Charleston:

·     More green spaces and public parks throughout the city and along the water 

·     More access to the waterfront and a five-acre park built over the piers

·     A waterfront walking path connecting Waterfront Park to the International African American Museum

·     A restored Bennett Rice Mill Façade surrounded by a grand park stretching to the water

·     More office, retail, restaurants and commercial spaces to create jobs and support our economy

·     310 more affordable housing units on the peninsula and a long-term revenue stream to support future units 

·     An extension of existing streets, new sidewalks, and more biking paths for better connectivity

·     State-of-the-art flooding measures and coastal resiliency plans incorporated at every step

·     A beautiful mixed-use neighborhood designed for Charleston

The Lowcountry Splash open water swim will take place on Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. until 10:30

a.m. The six-mile swim will start under the Wando River Bridge on Daniel Island, cross the Wando River near

Hobcaw Yacht Club, and will finish at the Harbor Resort Marina. The 2.4 mile swim will start from the Hobcaw

Yacht Club continue along the Mount Pleasant side of the river and finish at the Harbor Resort Marina.

A special local regulation, established in 33 CFR 100, will be in effect for a moving safety zone. This safety zone

will encompass all waters surrounding event participants and safety vessels extending 50-yards in front and

behind, and 100-yards on either side. Mariners can anticipate the swimmers crossing the channel on the Wando

River between 7:30 and 8:20 am. All mariners are urged to use caution while transiting the area and should

coordinate with on-scene safety boats via VHF channels 68. No one shall enter, transit, moor, anchor, or remain

within the safety zone unless specifically authorized by official event patrol.

This MSIB can be viewed at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/charleston. For questions or concerns

regarding this MSIB, please contact Sector Charleston 24-hour Command Center at (843) 740-7050.

TEMPORARY DEVIATION – LITTLE RIVER SWING BRIDGE

Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway – Little River, SC

The Little River Swing Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, mile marker 347.3, in Little River, South Carolina, has an approved temporary deviation to remain closed for vessel traffic from 6:00 pm on May 1, 2023, through 6:00 am on May 2, 2023. This pre-determined schedule is necessary to facilitate repairs.  The extension is now beginning 02 MAY at 6pm until 03 MAY at 6am.

Vessels able to safely pass without an opening may do so at any time.

In the event a declared emergency opening is requested, all accommodations will be made to facilitate the request as soon as possible, but openings outside of the above schedule cannot be guaranteed.

Mariners are encouraged to plan transits accordingly to avoid unnecessary disruptions. The Little River Swing

Bridge Tender may be contacted on VHF channel 9.

NOAA's Southeast and Caribbean Regional Collaboration Team is pleased to announce the return of the Hurricane Awareness Webinar Series.

Starting May 2nd, join the month-long webinar series on hurricanes. Each week is an opportunity to learn from NOAA experts.

You will learn more about the hazards of hurricanes, how you can become a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador, get a behind the scenes look at the Hurricane Hunter P3 aircraft, hear from local meteorologists, and much more!

Details: https://www.noaa.gov/regional-collaboration-network/regions-southeast-and-caribbean/2023-hurricane-awareness-webinars

 Help us congratulate Bradley Kerr.  He won the National Transportation Week Banquet’s 2023 Leader of the Year award.

It will be presented to him on April 26th at the NTW Charleston Banquet at the Elk’s Lodge.

More about the event: