scholarly journals Environmental training of the Italian Coast Guard between tradition and innovation

Author(s):  
Santo Altavilla ◽  
Aurelio Caligiore ◽  
Jenny Ceccarelli ◽  
Giuseppina Corrente ◽  
Federica Galeano ◽  
...  

The Coast Guard is an organization committed to safeguarding the marine environment, that requires specialized personnel. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate the "basic" preparation, with "specialist" training in compliance with the high standards of a Q.M.S. of training, which uses teaching methods advanced, classroom and lessons, case studies, but also practice in the field. The latter methodology plays an important role since learning by doing, even more than theory, guarantees the effectiveness of learning, emotional involvement and the formation of experiential memory of learners.

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katsunori Kotani ◽  
Takehiko Yoshimi ◽  
Hiroaki Nanjo ◽  
Hitoshi Isahara

<p>In order to develop effective teaching methods and computer-assisted language teaching systems for learners of English as a foreign language who need to study the basic linguistic competences for writing, pronunciation, reading, and listening, it is necessary to first investigate which vocabulary and grammar they have or have not yet learned. Identifying such vocabulary and grammar requires a learner corpus for analyzing the accuracy and fluency of learners’ linguistic competences. However, it is difficult to use previous learner corpora for this purpose because they have not compiled all the types of linguistic data that we need. Therefore, this study aimed to solve this problem by designing and developing a new learner corpus that compiles linguistic data regarding the accuracy and fluency of the four basic linguistic competences of writing, pronunciation, reading, and listening. The reliability and validity of the learner corpus were partially confirmed, and practical application of the learner corpus is reported here as case studies.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1347-1383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Hopwood ◽  
Dustin Carroll ◽  
Thorben Dunse ◽  
Andy Hodson ◽  
Johnna M. Holding ◽  
...  

Abstract. Freshwater discharge from glaciers is increasing across the Arctic in response to anthropogenic climate change, which raises questions about the potential downstream effects in the marine environment. Whilst a combination of long-term monitoring programmes and intensive Arctic field campaigns have improved our knowledge of glacier–ocean interactions in recent years, especially with respect to fjord/ocean circulation, there are extensive knowledge gaps concerning how glaciers affect marine biogeochemistry and productivity. Following two cross-cutting disciplinary International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) workshops addressing the importance of glaciers for the marine ecosystem, here we review the state of the art concerning how freshwater discharge affects the marine environment with a specific focus on marine biogeochemistry and biological productivity. Using a series of Arctic case studies (Nuup Kangerlua/Godthåbsfjord, Kongsfjorden, Kangerluarsuup Sermia/Bowdoin Fjord, Young Sound and Sermilik Fjord), the interconnected effects of freshwater discharge on fjord–shelf exchange, nutrient availability, the carbonate system, the carbon cycle and the microbial food web are investigated. Key findings are that whether the effect of glacier discharge on marine primary production is positive or negative is highly dependent on a combination of factors. These include glacier type (marine- or land-terminating), fjord–glacier geometry and the limiting resource(s) for phytoplankton growth in a specific spatio-temporal region (light, macronutrients or micronutrients). Arctic glacier fjords therefore often exhibit distinct discharge–productivity relationships, and multiple case-studies must be considered in order to understand the net effects of glacier discharge on Arctic marine ecosystems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 376-382
Author(s):  
David J. Starkey

After outlining the ways in which the parameters of the sub-discipline of maritime history changed during the 1980s and 1990s, the article focuses on why maritime history is a significant field of enquiry. Case studies of the Wilson Line, and the career of trawler skipper William Oliver, both based in Hull, exemplify the extraordinary and extreme extents to which human interaction with the marine environment – the essence of maritime history – can shape the lives of individuals and the societies in which they live.


1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 (1) ◽  
pp. 959-960
Author(s):  
Daniel Whiting

ABSTRACT The Agreement of Cooperation Between the United States of America and the United Mexican States Regarding Pollution of the Marine Environment by Discharges of Hydrocarbons and other Hazardous Substances, signed in Mexico City in 1980, provides a framework for cooperation in response to pollution incidents that pose a threat to the waters of both countries. Under this agreement, MEXUSPAC organizes Mexican and U.S. response agencies to plan for and respond to pollution emergencies in the marine environment. The MEXUSPAC contingency plan designates the commandant of the Mexican Second Naval Zone and the chief of the U.S. Coast Guard 11th District Marine Safety Division as the MEXUSPAC Cochairmen, and defines on-scene commanders, joint operations centers, and communications protocols that would be needed to coordinate the response to pollution incidents affecting both countries.


2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-74
Author(s):  
Lincoln D. Stroh

ABSTRACT Coal synthetic fuels have attractive tax incentives. The primary consumers of the coal synthetic fuels (synfuel) are power plants and coke plants. Some of these synfuels consist of approximately 99% coal and 1% oil emulsion. Unfortunately, these synfuels produce sheens in the marine environment when accidentally released. The sheens prompt a Coast Guard response with pollution fines and costly mitigation efforts. There are no current regulatory requirements for the marine transportation of synfuel. Treating the synfuels as an oil product from a marine transportation perspective would be cost prohibitive; treating the synfuels as coal may not be conducive to the marine environment; somewhere between the two extremes lies an economically, environment-friendly solution. In the absence of regulatory guidance, the Coast Guard initiated a twoday risk assessment to evaluate the risks of synfuel to the marine environment. The risk assessment focused on the marine transportation related (MTR) processes of loading, unloading, fleeting and transporting synfuel. Standards of Care were developed by a 25-member workgroup of industry representatives and regulators. The Standards of Care will be voluntarily selfimposed by industry to prevent and respond to releases of synfuels, which sheen in the marine environment. Those companies not adhering to the Standards of Care will receive little or no consideration from Coast Guard Captains Of The Port when violations of the Clean Water Act are investigated.


2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 (1) ◽  
pp. 779-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl E. Brown ◽  
Richard Marois ◽  
Gregory E. Myslicki ◽  
Mervin F. Fingas ◽  
Ron C. Mackay

ABSTRACT Bituminous fuels (in the form of water-based emulsions) are increasingly being used as fuel sources in many countries. When spilled in a marine environment, these emulsified fuels initially disperse and then, under certain circumstances, coalesce to become highly adhesive to beaches and shorelines. These fuels may either float or submerge, depending on the salinity of the water into which the spill occurs. Similar situations are known to occur with some conventional heavy fuels, as was the case with the Erika incident off the coast of France. Technologies to detect these neutrally buoyant and/or submerged fuels are urgently needed. The remote detection of submerged oil is a daunting task. The majority of sensors commonly used for the detection of surface oil slicks are of no use for the detection of submerged oil. Environment Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard have recently undertaken a series of bench-scale studies to develop technologies for the real-time remote detection of neutrally buoyant and/or submerged fuels in the marine environment. The unique capabilities of “active sensors” such as laser fluorosensors are being evaluated for the subsurface detection of heavy petroleum products. The detection of submerged Orimulsion by laser-induced fluorescence has been demonstrated at a distance of 81 m (265 feet) in a small test tank. Further experiments are underway to confirm the real-time detection of submerged Orimulsion, initially on the ground, and then through airborne tests.


2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-147
Author(s):  
Daniel R. Norton

ABSTRACT The annual volume of oil spilled into the marine environment by tank vessels (tank barges and tanks hips) is analyzed against the total annual volume of oil transported by tank vessels in order to determine any correlational relationship. U.S. Coast Guard data was used to provide the volume of oil (petroleum) spilled into the marine environment each year by tank vessels. Data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of Transportation's (US DOT) National Transportation Statistics (NTS) were used for the annual volume of oil transported via tank vessels in the United States. This data is provided in the form of tonnage and ton-miles, respectively. Each data set has inherent benefits and weaknesses. For the analysis the volume of oil transported was used as the explanatory variable (x) and the volume of oil spilled into the marine environment as the response variable (y). Both data sets were tested for correlation. A weak relationship, r = −0.38 was found using tonnage, and no further analysis was performed. A moderately strong relationship, r = 0.79, was found using ton-miles. Further analysis using regression analysis and a plot of residuals showed the data to be satisfactory with no sign of lurking variables, but with the year 1990 being a possible outlier.


2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-173
Author(s):  
Michael R. Moore ◽  
Thomas C. Miller ◽  
George L. Boone ◽  
Rendall B. Farley

ABSTRACT Salvage operations must be conducted with the utmost concern for the safety of personnel, as well as protection of the marine environment, and property. Due to the highly dynamic circumstances involved in salvage operations, there is no standard or foolproof method for responding to a casualty. Therefore, contingency planning and pre-established relationships with industry become indispensable to ensure that informed decision making, maximum responder cooperation and optimum asset coordination. Inherent in contingency planning is having an understanding that the role of the Captain of the Port (COTP) / Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) during a salvage response is multifaceted. While the COTP/FOSC has federal responsibilities to protect people, property, and the environment, it is achieved only through close coordination of multiple responding agencies, the response/salvage community and their resources. This successful coordination is greatly facilitated through an understanding of FOSC roles and proper use of the Incident Command/Unified Command (ICS/UC) System. This paper also describes the assets and authorities available to the COTP/FOSC during a salvage response, the triggers and overriding issues that would initiate full or partial federalization.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Riva ◽  
Giuliana Zega

&lt;p&gt;This activity tooked place last year as a part of a training and internship project (training year) and was developed thanks to the fruitful collaboration of the teacher with her tutor, especially for the co-design and ongoing evaluation of the achieved results.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The project has been carried out, in the same period, on two different classes characterized by widespread liveliness, complex problems of some pupils and/or attention deficit. For these reasons, the teacher experienced continuous interruptions during the lesson that might provoke its ineffectiveness. Moreover, when the class is often disturbed also attentive students have difficulties in following it and, on the other hand, the teacher herself see her efforts frustrated.&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Considering these conditions, the aim of this action-research project was to tackle teaching methods effective in increasing pupils' involvement and therefore improving their learning levels.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The project was about &amp;#8220;Water and sustainability&amp;#8221;. The main objectives were:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;increasing students' knowledge and awareness about water use and preservation and related environmental problems, leaving a trace of increased sensitivity on this topic ;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;improving students involvement by raising their attention and stimulating curiosity and questions about phenomena and facts;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;encouraging students to explore the problematic situation and build up personal hypotheses and/or interpretative models, and to use ICT in a conscious and correct way.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;The project was divided into several phases: engagement, water pollution investigation, work group, learning by doing/enjoying&amp;#160; and final discussion. For each phase, a specific lesson plan was defined with an accurate scheduling and scaffolding of the different proposed activities. Observations with grids and evaluation activities (intermediate and final) were also planned and implemented.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From the evaluation of the projects and of the work groups, carried out by the students, we could observe how the integrated use of diversified teaching strategies, class settings and digital technologies improved the overall level of learning.&lt;/p&gt;


2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 1098-1116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaspare Galati ◽  
Gabriele Pavan ◽  
Francesco De Palo ◽  
Giuseppe Ragonesi

Maritime traffic has significantly increased in recent decades due to its advantageous costs, delivery rate and environmental compatibility. With the advent of the new generation of marine radars, based on the solid-state transmitter technology that calls for much longer transmitted pulses, the interference problem can become critical. Knowing the positions and the heights of the ships, the mean number of the vessels in radar range can be estimated to evaluate the effects of their mutual radar interferences. This paper aims to estimate the probability density function of the mutual distances. The truncation of the density function within a limited area related to horizon visibility leads to a simple single-parameter expression, useful to classify the ships as either randomly distributed or following a defined route. Practical results have been obtained using Automatic Identification System (AIS) data provided by the Italian Coast Guard in the Mediterranean Sea.


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