Blog – 27 March 2009

March 27, 2009

Bryant’s Maritime Blog

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.

Maine – “no discharge” zone

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice stating that it has determined that adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of sewage from all vessels are reasonably available in Boothbay Harbor. 74 Fed. Reg. 12484 (March 25, 2009).

Shipping Coordinating Committee – meeting

The Shipping Coordinating Committee, sponsored by the US Department of State, will meet in Washington, DC on April 13 in order to prepare for the upcoming session of the IMO Subcommittee on Flag State Implementation. Topics on the agenda include port reception facilities, casualty statistics and investigations, and guidelines for seafarers’ working hours and the Maritime Labor Convention, 2006. 74 Fed. Reg. 12923 (March 25, 2009).

American Samoa – TWIC

The US Coast Guard issued a final rule stating that there are no secure areas for regulated onshore facilities in American Samoa. Therefore, a transportation worker at those facilities is not required to have a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) to gain access to the facility. This limited exception does not extend to regulated vessels (primarily US-flag vessels) in American Samoa. Commencing April 15, individuals may only be granted unescorted access to regulated vessels if they possess a valid TWIC. 74 Fed. Reg. 13114 (March 26, 2009).

USCG – boating safety projects, programs, and activities

The US Coast Guard issued a notice proving an accounting for projects, programs and activities funded under the national recreational boating safety program provisions of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. 74 Fed. Reg. 13219 (March 26, 2009).

FERC – Dominion Cove Point LNG

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a notice stating that it received a request from Dominion Cove Point LNG to amend its application to upgrade, modify, and expand its existing offshore pier for the safe docking, discharge, and departure from the pier of next-generation liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels. Comments on this application must be received by April 3. 74 Fed. Reg. 13201 (March 26, 2009).

Freeport, Texas – security zone

The US Coast Guard has established, through April 31 (sic), a temporary security zone around vessels entering or departing the Port of Freeport, Texas displaying the international signal flag or pennant number five (5). 74 Fed. Reg. 13343 (March 27, 2009).

Freeport, Texas – security zone

The US Coast Guard has established, through April 30, a temporary security zone on waters of the Freeport LNG Basin. 74 Fed. Reg. 13341 (March 27, 2009).

USCG – TWIC reader requirements – advance proposal

The US Coast Guard issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) relating to reader requirements for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). The Coast Guard is seeking thoughts regarding requirements for vessels and facilities related to use of electronic readers of TWIC cards for access control and recordkeeping. Comments should be submitted by May 26. 74 Fed. Reg. 13360 (March 27, 2009).

Morehead City, North Carolina – dredged material

The US Army Corps of Engineers issued a notice stating that it is conducting a study to evaluate the long-term (20 year) dredged material placement needs for Morehead City Harbor. 74 Fed. Reg. 13423 (March 27, 2009).

East Newark, New Jersey – biodiesel spill

The US Coast Guard issued a press release stating that it is responding to the release of approximately 1,000 gallons of biodiesel that occurred during an internal transfer in East Newark. (3/26/09).

Alaska – monitoring re Mount Redoubt eruption

The US Coast Guard issued a press release stating that it, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC), and other stakeholders are monitoring the Mount Redoubt eruption for any impacts on the Drift River Terminal in the vicinity of Cook Inlet with regard to the potential release of crude oil. No impacts have been detected to date. (3/26/09).

Bills introduced re protection of resources of Northwest Straits

Senator Murray (D-WA) and Representative Larsen (D-WA) introduced companion versions of the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act (S. 668 and H.R. 1672) to reauthorize the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act to promote the protection of the resources of the Northwest Straits, and for other purposes. (3/23/09).

Bill introduced to strengthen OPA 90

Senator Cantwell (D-WA) introduced a bill (S. 684) to provide the Coast Guard and NOAA with additional authorities under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, to strengthen the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, and for other purposes. Text of this bill is not yet available. (3/24/09).

Bill introduced to require double hulls

Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced a bill (S. 685) to require new vessels for carrying oil fuel to have double hulls, and for other purposes. Text of this bill is not yet available. (3/24/09).

Bill introduced re FWPCA definition of fill material

Senator Cardin (D-MD) introduced a bill (S. 696) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to include a definition of fill material. Text of this bill is not yet available. (3/25/09).

Australia – Natship 09

The Australian Maritime Safety Administration (AMSA) is sponsoring the Natship 09 (National Shipping Industry Conference 2009) to be held in Sydney on June 3-5. The theme of this conference is “The Future: Our Response to the Challenges”. (3/26/09).

Hong Kong – installation of current meters

The Hong Kong Marine Department issued a notice stating that it will be installing current meters on the seabed in the following locations: Ting Kau; Western Dangerous Goods Anchorage; and Pak Kok. Installation will take about three days in each location. Ships should avoid the vicinity of the installation vessels. The current meters will be withdrawn after approximately 13 months. Notice No. 34 of 2009 (3/26/09).

UK – preparation for EU Transport Council

The UK Department for Transport issued the statement of Secretary of State for Transport Geoff Hoon in preparation for the European Union (EU) Transport Council meeting in Brussels on March 30. He expressed basic support for the draft regulation on the rights of passengers when traveling by sea and inland waterway. He expressed support for the European Commission (EC) “Strategic Goals and Recommendations for the EU’s maritime transport policy until 2018”, promoting European shipping and related industries. He expressed support in principle for the action plan with a view to establishing a European maritime space without barriers, simplifying administrative procedures for intra-EU maritime transport. (3/25/09).

If you have questions regarding the above items, please contact the editor:

Dennis L. Bryant

Bryant’s Maritime Blog

4845 SW 91^st Way
Gainesville, FL 32608-8135

USA

1-352-692-5493
dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com

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© Dennis L. Bryant – March 2009

Redistribution permitted with attribution