Meghan James

Primary Duties:

• Facility Inspector: Ensures the safety of port facilities by implementing controls aimed at preventing safety, security and environmental incidents within the port. This proactive approach safeguards the continued vitality of the Marine Transportation System.
• Environmental Response Investigator: Ensures environmental compliance by meticulously planning and preparing for oil spills, hazardous substance pollution incidents, and other threats to the public safety, the marine environment and marine transportation.
• Container Inspector: Conducts inspections of cargo containers to ensure compliance with federal safety, security and hazardous material regulations. Identifies risks, enforces transportation standards and supports the safe movement of goods through the marine transportation system.
• Marine Transportation System Recovery Unit: Supports Port recovery and continuity operations following emergencies of disruptions by coordinating with federal, state, local and industry partners to restore the safe and efficient flow of maritime commerce.

Collateral Duties:

• Training Petty Officer for a division of 6 members; responsible for development, qualifications, and performance standards.
• Containers Petty Officer; coordinated inspection scheduling and contributed to achieving command inspection goals (1,270 inspections)
• Government Initiated Unannounced Exercise Petty Officer; Supports the planning, coordination and execution of unannounced emergency response exercises to evaluate industry preparedness and environmental response capabilities.

Significant Achievements:

• Conducted over 250 Facility and Container inspections to enforce regulatory compliance and uphold maritime safety and environmental protection.
• Identified critical hazardous material discrepancies during a joint-agency surge, including 14 deficiencies in a single day; findings highlighted across DHS channels.
• Enforced regulatory requirements, leading to $4,500 penalty for security breach and enhanced port compliance.
• Supported Maritime Transportation System Recovery Unit (MTSRU) operations during a vessel grounding; contributed to safe and efficient reopening of the port.
• Led multi-agency operations, showcasing leadership in high-tempo environments.

Primary Duties:

• Boat Crew Member: Supports vessel missions on board TANB and ABS by adhering coxswain direction and successfully carrying out essential missions and operations.
• Aton Duty Officer: Served as the primary point of contact for reports involving malfuctioning or discrepant Aids. Coordinated response actions, assessed navigational risks and ensured timely communication and resolution to maintain the safety and reliability of the waterways.
• Minor Aid Technician (Basic and Advanced): Performed maintenance, inspection and repair of basic and minor aids to Navigation to support safe and efficient maritime traffic. Assisted in ensuring waterways remained properly marked and compliant with navigation safety standards.
• ATON Structure Climber (Basic and Advanced): Trained and qualified in basic and advanced climbing techniques for Aids to Navigation structures, including towers and fixed platforms. Preformed inspections, maintenance and repairs at elevated heights while following strict safety procedures to ensure the reliability and operational readiness.
• ATON Structure Climber Rescue: Trained in advance rescue procedures for Aids to Navigation structures including emergency response and recovery operations at elevated heights. Demonstrated proficiency in fall protection rescue techniques to ensure personnel safety during climbing and platform operations.

Collateral Duties:

• Rescue and survival Petty Officer: Managed and maintained rescue and survival equipment programs for a team of 12 personnel, ensuring all gear is operational and compliant with safety standards. Coordinated maintenance schedules and readiness requirements to support mission effectiveness and personnel safety.
• Climbing Gear Petty Officer: Managed the inspection and accountability and maintenance of climbing and fall protection gear. Conducted routine gear inspections and ensured personnel had properly maintained equipment.

Significant Achievements:

• Earned advanced qualifications ahead of expectations: Basic & Advanced Climber, Rescue Climber, Boat Crew, ATON Boat Crew.
• ATON Sailor of the Season for outstanding work ethic, operational performance and dedication.
• Coordinated and completed the re-stickering and identification maintenance of seasonal navigational buoys requiring updates for two consecutive seasons.
• Assisted in the cleanup, of