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Office of Public Affairs |
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| News Release |
Date: Oct. 25, 2008 |
Marine Board of Investigation into Katmai sinking to convene Monday |
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Editor's note: All interested media are requested to meet with the Marine Board Chairman in the lobby of the Anchorage Hilton Downtown Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. to discuss coverage arrangements. ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Board of Investigation into the sinking of the fishing vessel Katmai will convene Monday, Oct. 27, 2008 at the Anchorage Hilton Downtown at 9:30 a.m. This hearing is open to the public. The members of the board are Cmdr. Malcolm McLellan, USCG Headquarters in Washington D.C.; Lt. Scott White, USCG District 1 in Boston Investigations; Lt. Michael Benson, USCG Sector Anchorage Investigations. All of the board members have extensive experience and training in marine safety, naval architecture and marine engineering. The board will issue opening statements and they will be sworn in under oath. Immediately following the swearing in of the board the floor will be opened to questions for 10 minutes. Then the board will question the first witness under oath. The hearing is open to the public and the media but the proceedings will not be broadcast on television, radio or conference call. Cell phones are prohibited at all times. An official transcript will be available after it is transcribed. All media may attend and take notes, however, the media will be solely responsible for designating one representative to conduct each category of video, audio and still camera coverage. It is also the media's responsibility to arrange an open and impartial distribution scheme and to establish a distribution point outside of the hearing room. If an agreement cannot be reached on these matters, then there is to be no expanded media coverage for which no pooling arrangement was made. Neither the board chairman nor the investigating officers shall be called upon to resolve disputes arising in this area. Video- Only one television organization at a time will be permitted to operate a television camera in the hearing room. That organization will employ only one television camera and one camera operator who will remain in a single location while the hearing is in session. Audio- If the hearing room's audio system is not technically suitable, and then all audio recording will be done on one audio system, installed by the media at their expense. Microphones and wiring are to remain unobtrusive and are not to interfere with the movement of those in the hearing room. When requested, copies of recorded testimony will be provided to the investigative body. Still Cameras- All photographs will be taken by one still photographer using an unobtrusive tripod, and cameras that make as little noise as possible. The photographer will remain in a single location while the hearing is in session. Lighting- There will be no additional lighting equipment permitted in the hearing room, e.g. flash, lamps etc. Identifying marks, call letters, logos, and symbols must be concealed on all equipment. Personnel must not wear any insignia or identification of the individual or media organization involved. Equipment involved in media coverage shall not be placed in, or removed from the hearing room except prior to the beginning, or after suspension of the proceedings each day, or during a recess. The board does not expect concluding the first day's proceedings until the evening hours. For questions regarding the proceedings contact Petty Officer Sara Francis, USCG (907) 321.4510. |
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