AMO Currents - STAR Center's Pannell appointed to Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee

AMO Currents - Posted: August 15, 2014

STAR Center's Pannell appointed to Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee

STAR Center Director of Member Training and Officer Development Jerry Pannell has been appointed to the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) to represent the viewpoint of maritime training institutions other than maritime academies.

"The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee provides invaluable assistance to the Department of Homeland Security on matters related to training, qualifications, certification, licensing, and fitness standards of personnel serving in the U.S. merchant marine," wrote Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson in the letter of appointment.

Re-established and re-convened in 2011, MERPAC was originally established in 1992 at the request of the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. MERPAC is one of the few avenues through which the maritime industry can have direct input to the U.S. Coast Guard when it considers changes to rules and regulations.