Rick Larsen actually said...

I fully support the President's goal to double our exports between 2010 and 2015, and I urge this Committee to support these initiatives.

I think that is why for U.S. viewers of news on this particular case, we are in such shock hearing about stories of this particular captain.

Is that process by invite only, or is there any formal role in this case because there are U.S. citizens involved?

Does the Coast Guard have any history of examining these vessels for any reason, these particular vessels?