The U.S. Coast Guard has formed the Maritime Nuclear Policy Division within the Office of Design and Engineering Standards as part of its Force Design 2028 initiative, which aims to modernize the service’s organizational structure and improve mission readiness.
What Are the Responsibilities of the Coast Guard’s Maritime Nuclear Policy Division?
The Coast Guard said Friday the new division will serve as the primary point of contact for developing and implementing policies to ensure the safe and secure integration of nuclear technology into the Marine Transportation System.
The division will also develop a comprehensive framework of standards and requirements to guide the safe adoption of modern nuclear reactors and other advanced technologies.
In addition to policy development, the Maritime Nuclear Policy Division will partner with federal agencies, industry and the International Maritime Organization to update agreements and regulations regarding maritime nuclear advancements.
The new organization will also maintain relationships with nuclear industry leaders, national laboratories and academia to stay informed of reactor tech advancements and maritime applications.
“The creation of the Maritime Nuclear Policy Division ensures the Coast Guard is fully engaged with stakeholders so we can safely integrate maritime nuclear technology, while also maintaining a security posture through coordination with other agencies” said Rear Adm. Wayne Arguin, assistant commandant for prevention policy. “Staying aligned with industry and federal agencies is critical to promote and safeguard the maritime sector.”
The new division marks the latest organizational development at the Coast Guard in support of Force Design 2028. In August, the service launched a new program executive office for robotics and autonomous systems.
In September, the Coast Guard established the new Office of Coordination, Programming and Accountability and the Futures Development and Integration Directorate, which will serve as the central hub to advance the modernization of capabilities.
What Is Force Design 2028?
Unveiled in April, Force Design 2028 aims to serve as the Coast Guard’s blueprint that would ensure the service’s readiness for future national requirements. It focuses on four campaigns: people; organization; acquisition and contracting; and technology.
The acquisition and contracting campaign, for instance, aims to establish a system that will accelerate the delivery of capabilities needed by the Coast Guard to accomplish its mission. Efforts under this campaign include the elimination of acquisition bureaucracy and the development of a contract tracking system for improved transparency and accountability.
The technology campaign aims to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Coast Guard through the adoption of secure technologies.
