Bryant's Maritime Blog: Blog

March 19, 2009

Note: Much of the highlighted text in this newsletter constitutes links to Internet sites providing more detailed information. Links on this page may be in PDF format, requiring use of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Comments on these postings are encouraged and may be made by clicking the envelope that appears at the end of each posting. Be aware that the daily blog entry is a single posting, even though it contains a number of individual items. Improvements in this blog site, while slow, are due to the assistance of Kim Nettles. She rapidly points me to the improvements. I, with the speed of a glacier, implement them. Please bear with me.

Baltimore – USCG issues letter of recommendation re Sparrows Point LNG facility

The US Coast Guard issued a press release stating that it issued a letter of recommendation to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) stating that the waterway proposed for use by vessel traffic associated with the proposed AES Sparrows Point liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Baltimore remains unsuitable, but can be made suitable, provided that recommended risk mitigation measures outlined in the supporting waterway suitability report are fully implemented and resources, capabilities, and partnerships with the port community are in place. FERC has responsibility for LNG facility siting, environmental impact, construction authorization, and for issuing certificates for import and export of LNG. (3/18/09).

Great Lakes – ballast water management report

The US Coast Guard issued the 2008 Summary of Great Lakes Ballast Water Management Report. The Great Lakes-Seaway Ballast Water Working Group (BWWG) reviewed the status of ballast water management efforts. It found that, in 2008, 99% of ships bound for the Seaway received a ballast water exam. Of 6,704 ballast water tanks sampled, aboard 364 different ships, the compliance rate was 98.6%. Ships that were not in compliance were required to either retain the ballast water and residuals on board, treat the ballast water in an environmentally sound and approved manner, or return to sea to conduct a ballast water exchange. (3/18/09).

Tilghman, Maryland – small passenger vessel conference

The US Coast Guard issued a press release stating that it will conduct a small passenger vessel conference in Tilghman, Maryland on March 19. (3/18/09).

FMC – meeting

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a notice stating that it will hold a meeting at its offices in Washington, DC on March 25. Among the items on the agenda is passenger vessel financial responsibility. (3/18/09).

EU – Eurasian maritime influence from Red Sea to Yellow Sea

The European Union Institute for Security Studies published a paper entitled “From Suez to Shanghai: the European Union and Eurasian maritime security”. The paper, by James Rogers, examines the likely challenges emanating from Chinese, Indian, Russian, and United States maritime competition in the waters stretching from the Red Sea to the Yellow Sea and argues that the EU should provide a strong vehicle for the realization of common objectives, ranging from the maintenance of peace to building up European naval, logistical, and geopolitical capabilities. Query: Is this wishful thinking or do you believe the EU is moving to expand its maritime influence into Asian waters? (3/18/09).

UK – ship-yacht collision and AIS

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a press notice stating that it, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), and the Royal Navy responded after a yacht in the English Channel reported that it had suffered a collision with a cargo ship. The MCA checked its Automatic Identification System (AIS) records and found a cargo ship near to the location of the collision. Upon inquiry, the cargo ship admitted that it had hit the yacht. The yacht is proceeding to Falmouth for assessment of damages. The incident is under investigation. Note: This incident illustrates one of the unintended, but not unexpected uses of AIS – as an aid in post-accident investigations. (3/18/09).