McNamara recognized for safety leadership

McNamara recognized for safety leadership    Capt. James J. McNamara, former president of the National Cargo Bureau, was awarded the Halert C. Shepheard Award by the Chamber of Shipping of America on Wednesday at the Connecticut Maritime Association’s Shipping 2011 conference.
   The award recognizes an individual “who has made exceptional achievements toward merchant marine safety, security or environmental protection; or in recognition of dedication to, or exceptional leadership in activities associated with safety, security or environmental protection over a period of time.” Shepheard, who died in 1975, was chief representative of the United States to the conference that wrote the Safety of Life At Sea convention in 1948 and was the head of the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation when it was made part of the U.S. Coast Guard.

McNamara

   After a career at sea, McNamara joined the National Cargo Bureau in 1970 and worked in several ports before becoming its chief surveyor in 1988, then president in 1993. He retired from the bureau last year.
   “The awards committee was particularly impressed with the leadership that Capt. McNamara has shown throughout his illustrious career in maritime safety,” said Michael T. Bohlman, chairman of the chamber. “He has the admiration of both owners and seafarers for the work he has performed to make sure that ships can sail safely.”