Blog – 6 April 2009

April 6, 2009

Bryant’s Maritime Blog

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NAVSAC – meeting

The Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (NAVSAC), sponsored by the US Coast Guard, will meet in Savannah on May 20-21. Topics on the agenda include offshore renewable energy installations and unmanned autonomous vessels. 74 Fed. Reg. 15504 (April 6, 2009).

EPA – environmental fugitives

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the EPA Fugitives website, listing its most wanted persons charged with environmental crimes. Of the 22 individuals on the current list, six are mariners. The crimes of five of the six marine fugitives are related to fraudulent entries in oil record books (ORBs). The sixth individual is wanted in connection the dumping of tons of oil-contaminated grain from the merchant vessel JUNEAU. (4/6/09).

Alaska – update re Drift River Terminal

The US Coast Guard issued a press release stating that a plan has been approved to send a tanker to the Drift River Terminal on the west shore of Cook Inlet to remove oil from the storage tanks, assuming that the Mount Redoubt volcano remains relatively quiet. A second press release explains the containment system in place at the facility. A third press release explains the resources available to respond in the event of a spill. A fourth press release states that the tanker to be used for removal of oil from the storage tanks has been delayed due to a significant explosive event on Mount Redoubt. A fifth press release states that the tanker will attempt to remove oil from the facility on Sunday, April 5. After some of the oil is removed, the facility will be closed temporarily. (4/5/09).

FMC – remarks of Commissioner Dye

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) posted the remarks of Commissioner Rebecca Dye delivered at the Global Liner Shipping Conference in London on April 2. Among other things, she stated that she does not believe it wise to consider major changes to the US regulatory regime for the line trade under current economic circumstances. (4/2/09).

Bill introduced to cap and trade GHG emissions

Representative Von Hollen (D-MD) introduced the Cap and Dividend Act of 2009 (H.R. 1862) to cap the emissions of greenhouse gases through a requirement to purchase carbon permits, to distribute the proceeds of such purchases to eligible individuals, and for other purposes. The bill, if enacted into law, would require a carbon permit of the person who makes the first sale in United States markets of a covered fuel. It is unclear how, or if, the bill would apply to sales of bunkers to ships engaged in international commerce. (4/1/09).

Resolution introduced re incidents at sea

Representative Conyers (D-MI) introduced House Concurrent Resolution (H. Con. Res.) 94 encouraging the negotiation of an “Incidents at Sea Agreement” between the United States of America and the Government of Iran. (4/2/09).

Resolution introduced re steamboat SULTANA tragedy

Representative Snyder (D-AK) introduced House Resolution (H. Res.) 329 recognizing the anniversary of the tragic accident of the steamboat ship SS Sultana. The SULTANA was carrying home former prisoners of war when it suffered a boiler explosion and sank in the Mississippi River near Memphis on April 27, 1865. There were an estimated 2,400 persons on board. Of these, approximately 1,800 died, making this the greatest loss of life in a maritime casualty in US history. (4/2/09).

Australia – LRIT

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a notice advising the maritime community of it will not be conducting inspections of ship-borne Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) equipment during the IMO-recommended transitional period, which expires on 30 June 2009. Marine Notice 5/2009 (3/31/09).

Singapore – new MSC resolutions

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a circular advising ship owners, operators, and masters of new resolutions adopted at the most recent session of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC). Shipping Circular No. 13 of 2009 (4/6/09).

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

http://bryantsmaritimeblog.blogspot.com

© Dennis L. Bryant – April 2009

Redistribution permitted with attribution