Andy Hammond
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Andy Hammond, a 1986 graduate of Massachusetts Maritime Academy, is distinguished both as a sailing Mariner and in the U.S. Coast Guard. Currently, he holds a U.S. Coast Guard - Chief Mate any gross tons upon oceans and Master 1600 GRT upon oceans with full STCW endorsement of Chief Mate/Master.
Most notably Mr. Hammond is the former Chief, U.S. Coast Guard Regional Examination Center of Boston, MA from 1998 – 2006. He Supervised the Regional Examination Center (REC) for Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection in the Port of Boston. In the REC Boston he served over merchant mariners on an annual basis and maintained records for over 40,000 U.S. Coast Guard certified mariners. He supervised a staff of 17 military, civilian, and contract workers dealing with all aspects of the Merchant Mariner Credentialing program.
During this period, the Coast Guard transitioned into the IMO/STCW regulatory scheme. This challenge created a tremendous workload increase on the REC staffs and on the U. S.
Merchant Marine system. REC Boston was one of the leading centers in the country and continued to perform at the highest standards through these many changes brought about by these new requirements. REC Boston was able to maintain its focus on marine safety and customer service for the thousands of mariners seeking approval for the myriad of credentials available within the U.S. and International credentialing scheme.
Currently Mr. Hammond is the Executive Director, Boston Harbor Pilot Association, LLC, which consists of 9 State and Federally commissioned Pilots who are tasked with guiding all vessels, over 350 tons, into and out of the Port of Boston. They represent the public trust and ensure all commerce moves safely throughout the port. On top of being responsible for the day to
day operations he also is required to oversee the operation and maintenance of two Pilot boats and a waterfront facility and office.
Since 2006 he has been working as a Maritime Consultant, Andy Hammond-Consulting, which assists clients with all aspects of the U.S. Coast Guard/STCW certification process. His services include filing applications, consulting mariners on training, assessment, sea service, and administrative requirements with regard to specific credentialing needs. He determines the best way to achieve their individual credentialing goals by clearly identifying compliance requirements and assists mariners in appealing adverse decisions made with respect to their specific authority to obtain, renew, or upgrade a merchant mariner credential.
In 2008 Mr. Hammond became a Maritime Training Instructor – Confident Captain/Ocean Pros, Northeast Maritime Institute, where he instructs Basic Safety Training (BST) students in Personal Safety and Social Responsibility and Person
Survival Techniques, 2 of the 4 elements required. He also instructs students completing approved courses for certification up to 200 GRT Master, who are specializing in Navigation Rules, Navigation General, and Chart Plotting Instruction.
From 1994 to 1998 Mr. Hammond was the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Inspector, Marine Safety Office Boston. During this time he approved and inspected Commercial Fishing Industry Vessels, Small Passenger Vessels, and Coast Guard approved firefighting and lifesaving appliances. As well as conducting several hundred inspections on commercial fishing vessels and small passenger vessels to ensure compliance, Mr. Hammond worked on several high profile cases involving loss of life and high media interest such as the F/V Andrea Gale, F/V Italian Gold, and F/V Heather Lynn. After graduating from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Mr. Hammond spent 8 years working sailing as an Officer in Charge of a Navigation Watch, U.S. Merchant Marine.