Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 15 April 2009

Headlines – DOD review of anti-piracy operations; TWIC reader requirements; TSAC; vessel sanitation program; LA channel deepening; ocean acidification; USN energy conservation; mariner reference number; TWIC enforcement deadline; ReCAAP conference; Australia container loss; Panama Canal operations; Singapore Certificate of Endorsement

April 15, 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.

DOD – broad review of anti-piracy operations

clip_image002 The Department of Defense (DOD) issued a news release stating that the US military has initiated a review to look broadly, widely, and deeply at the overall strategy on piracy off the coast of Somalia. (4/14/09).

USCG – meeting re TWIC reader requirements

clip_image004 The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that it will host a meeting in Arlington, Virginia on May 6 to receive comments on Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) reader requirements. 74 Fed. Reg. 17444 (April 15, 2009).

TSAC – meeting

clip_image004[1] The Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) and its working groups on Revision of Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 04-01 and on the Clarification of Current Licensing Regulations pertaining to Apprentice Mates (Steersmen), sponsored by the US Coast Guard, will meet in Dania Beach, Florida on May 6 & 7. 74 Fed. Reg. 17504 (April 15, 2009).

CDC – meeting re vessel sanitation program

clip_image006 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a notice stating that it will host a meeting on the vessel sanitation program in Fort Lauderdale on June 12. Topics on the agenda include: 2008 program review; proposed revisions to the Vessel Sanitation Program Operations Manual 2005; proposed revisions to the Vessel Sanitation Program Construction Guidelines 2005; and updates on cruise ship outbreaks. 74 Fed. Reg. 17500 (April 15, 2009).

USACE – Port of Los Angeles Channel Deepening Project

clip_image008 The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued a notice stating that it is seeking comments on the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIR) and the draft Air Quality Conformity Determination (CD) relating to the Port of Los Angeles Channel Deepening Project. Comments should be submitted by May 17. 74 Fed. Reg. 17455 (April 15, 2009).

EPA – ocean acidification and marine pH water quality criteria

clip_image010 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice stating that it is seeking comments on information relating to ocean acidification and marine pH water quality criteria. Comments should be submitted by June 15. 74 Fed. Reg. 17484 (April 15, 2009).

CBP – quarterly interest rates

clip_image012 The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a notice stating that for the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2009, the interest rate for overpayments of customs duties will be 3% for corporations and 4% for non-corporations and the interest rate for underpayments will be 4%. 74 Fed. Reg. 17505 (April 15, 2009).

USN – energy conservation applications sought

clip_image014 The US Navy issued a Broad Agency Announcement stating that the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division is soliciting abstracts (“White Papers”) for Energy Conservation Applications for the U.S. Navy. This BAA solicits innovative concepts from industry and academia that can introduce applications for Navy shipboard energy conservation and carbon footprint reduction with the potential for rapid transition to Fleet operation. The target segment of the Fleet is the ships operated by Military Sealift Command: Combat Logistics Force, Auxiliaries and Sealift. The Navy may consider changes to shipboard operation, existing products, modifications or adaptations to existing products, or new products where the concept can be integrated with appropriate ships. Submissions may utilize a wide array of approaches or technologies to effect quantifiable energy conservation and carbon footprint reduction in the Fleet. Responses must be received by May 6. (4/6/09).

A.P. Moller-Maersk Group statement on piracy

clip_image016 The A.P. Moller-Maersk Group issued a statement on piracy again expressing its appreciation for all the efforts that ensured the safe return of Captain Richard Phillips and the crew of the MAERSK ALABAMA. It goes on to say that piracy is an international problem requiring the active participation of the international community. Seafarers must be able to do their jobs in a safe and peaceful environment. (4/14/09).

NTSB – investigation of recreational boating casualty

clip_image018 The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a press advisory stating that it launched an investigation of a marine accident in Ponte Verde, Florida where a recreational vessel struck a moored workboat at mile marker 195 of the intercoastal waterway, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. (4/13/09).

DOS – blog on piracy

clip_image020 The US Department of State has established a blog on piracy. (4/14/09).

USCG – mariner reference number

clip_image004[2] The US Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) issued a notice reminding US merchant mariners of the importance of the mariner reference number. To protect personal privacy, the Coast Guard has ceased printing the mariner’s social security number on all credentials. It has been replaced with a unique “mariner reference number”. Mariners and marine employers should utilize the mariner reference number when communicating with the Coast Guard regarding merchant mariner credentials. Note: This sounds to me just like the old Z-number! History repeats itself. (4/14/09).

USCG – TWIC enforcement deadline

clip_image004[3] The US Coast Guard issued a press release reminding the maritime community that April 14 was the deadline for enforcement of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) requirement at all regulated maritime facilities. The deadline for enforcement of the TWIC requirement on all regulated US vessels is April 15. (4/14/09).

ReCAAP – Piracy and Sea Robbery Conference 2009

clip_image022 The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) is sponsoring the Piracy and Sea Robbery Conference 2009 to be held in Singapore on 22 April. (4/14/09).

Australia – report on loss of containers and resulting oil spill

clip_image024 The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released the preliminary report of its investigation into the loss of containers from the ship PACIFIC ADVENTURER of Cape Moreton, Queensland on 11 March 2009. During gale force weather, 31 containers fell overboard. As they fell, several struck the hull, penetrating two bunker tanks and resulting in the discharge of approximately 270 tons of fuel oil into the sea. MAIR 263-Prelim (4/14/09).

Panama Canal – operations summary – March 2009

clip_image026 The Panama Canal Authority issued an advisory summarizing its operations for March 2009. The advisory includes the locks maintenance work scheduled for the remainder of the fiscal year. Advisory No. 05-2009 (4/9/09).

Singapore – new format for Certificate of Endorsement

clip_image028 The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a circular informing maritime interests that it has implemented a new electronic system for processing and issuing the Singapore Certificates of Endorsement (COE). The tamper-proof digitized certificate ensures that the officer is properly qualified, certificated, and medically fit to serve on Singapore vessels. Existing COEs remain valid until the period of expiry stated thereon. Shipping Circular No. 16 of 2009 (4/14/09).

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

Dennis L. Bryant

Bryant’s Maritime Blog

4845 SW 91st Way
Gainesville, FL 32608-8135

USA

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

http://bryantsmaritimeblog.blogspot.com

© Dennis L. Bryant – April 2009

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