Headlines: piracy; GHG; NMSAC; COAC; EP – compensation for ferry passengers; Australia – BRM & Torres Strait pilotage
April 20, 2009
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DOD – pirates should be prosecuted in court
The Department of Defense (DOD) issued a news release stating that military action is only one part of the solution to the piracy problem. The lack of an effective Somali government and the pervasive poverty in the area must also be addressed. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen is quoted as saying that piracy is a crime and it needs to be prosecuted in court. The United States and some other nations have an agreement with Kenya for transfer of captured pirates to that nation for prosecution. Note: There are unconfirmed reports that the sole surviving pirate from the attempted hijacking of the MAERSK ALABAMA will be brought to the United States for prosecution. (4/18/09).
NATO – Somalia piracy update – 17 April
The NATO Shipping Centre issued a Somalia piracy update stating that there were no reported incidents in the previous 24 hours. The M/V TITAN may have been released by its captors. Recently, the M/V SEA HORSE and the M/V IRENE E. M. were hijacked. (4/17/09).
EU – pirate attacks – 18 April
The European Union (EU) Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa) [MSC(HOA)] issued a press release reporting on an unsuccessful piratical attack on a tanker and the subsequent detention of the pirates. A second press release reports on a successful piratical attack on a freighter 700 nautical miles off the African coast and 150 miles north of the Seychelles islands. (4/18/09).
EC – fighting terrorism, WMD, and pirates
The European Commission (EC) issued a press release stating that it adopted a three-year program to fight terrorism, trafficking, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The program also includes a significant component to tackle the threat of piracy to critical maritime routes, in particular in the Gulf of Aden, by enhancing the capacity of coastal states to patrol their own territorial waters and exchange information. Additional details are provided in the accompanying Instrument for Stability. (4/17/09).
EPA – GHG may endanger public health or welfare
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a news release stating that it issued a proposed finding that greenhouse gases (GHGs) contribute to air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare. Six greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride) have been identified as potential causes of increased drought, greater sea level rise, more intense storms, and other changes to the climate. The proposed finding does not include, at this time, any proposed regulations. Rather, public comments are sought on this proposal. Note: There has been no move as yet by the EPA to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from ships. This may change if the IMO proves unwilling or unable to take on this mission. (4/17/09).
NMSAC – meeting
The National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC), sponsored by the US Coast Guard, will meet in Washington, DC on May 4. Topics on the agenda include: seafarers’ access to shore leave; the 5-year review of the ISPS Code; tiering of MTSA regulated facilities; and the eNOAD process. 74 Fed. Reg. 17979 (April 20, 2009).
COAC – meeting
The Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection (COAC), sponsored by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will meet in Washington, DC on May 6. Topics on the agenda include import safety initiatives; importer security filing (“10+2”); and the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). 74 Fed. Reg. 17980 (April 20, 2009).
EP – compensation for ferry passengers
The European Parliament (EP) issued a news release stating that it will soon discuss a new series of rights for passengers who travel by sea and bus. Compensation and arranging alternative ways of traveling are just two steps envisaged. The proposed rules also protect the right of disabled passengers to board ships and buses. (4/17/09).
Australia – BRM and Torres Strait pilotage
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a notice reminding the maritime industry of the importance of having an effective bridge resource management (BRM) on the ship. The notice also reminds that, if a regulated ship transits the Torres Strait without a required pilot, the owner, operator, and master are subject to non-custodial penalties when they next enter an Australian port. Marine Notice 7/2009 (4/17/09).
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
Redistribution permitted with attribution
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