One Source of Truth: How USCG Credential Reform Changes the Rules for Mariners & Shipowners
For years, US mariner credentialing relied on fragmented systems, inconsistent records, and limited transparency—leaving mariners, shipowners, and operators exposed to hidden risk.That is about to change. In Episode 44 of the ShorelineHudson Maritime Risk Podcast, Captain Thomas Brown is joined by US maritime attorney and former US Coast Guard lawyer Benjamin Robinson (Chalos & Co.) to unpack the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General’s findings into Coast Guard credentialing failures—and the sweeping reforms now underway.This episode is essential listening for anyone operating vessels into US waters, or responsible for ensuring their crews are compliant, qualified, and defensible when the Coast Guard comes aboard.
About the contributors
Benjamin Robinson - Attorney with Chalos & Co. PC.
Benjamin Robinson – Attorney with Chalos & Co. PC.
Benjamin Robinson is an attorney with Chalos & Co. PC. He represents clients in judicial and administrative proceedings involving regulatory violations and in commercial disputes in a variety of fora with a focus on maritime environmental law and sanctions. Prior to entering private practice, Ben served as an active duty officer and judge advocate in the Coast Guard for two decades in both prosecution and defense roles, handling matters from the earliest stages of investigation through the appellate level. Notably, Ben served as the Coast Guard’s Deputy Chief of the Environmental Law Division, where he was the service’s subject matter expert in maritime environmental crimes, maritime pollution liability, and environmental regulatory matters. He is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and Seattle University School of Law.
How U.S. Enforcement, Shadow Fleets, and Maritime Interdictions Are Redefining Risk at Sea
COFR Plus: Managing Detention, Delay, and Enforcement Risk in U.S. Waters
