Headlines: Influenza update; piracy updates; RNAs on Pacific Northwest bars; DRBOSAC meeting; governments supporting international terrorism; ship recycling convention adopted
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WHO & CDC – Influenza A (H1N1) updates – 8,480 cases
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued an update stating that, as of 0600 GMT, 17 May, 39 countries have reported 8,480 confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an update stating that 47 states have reported a total of 4,714 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu infection. (5/17/09).
USN & USCG – piracy update
The US Navy issued a news release stating that ships from Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 prevented a piracy attack and detained a suspected mothership with 17 suspected pirates on board. A visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) team, along with members of US Coast Guard Legal Detachment (LEDET) 409 apprehended the suspects after finding eight assault rifles, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and one rocket-propelled grenade on the mothership. The US Navy issued a second news release stating that partnership and commitment are keys to defeating piracy. (5/14/09).
Australia – Navy deters pirates in Gulf of Aden
The Australian Department of Defence issued a news release stating that two Royal Australian Navy frigates operating in the Gulf of Aden came to the aid of two merchant vessels under attack by pirates. (5/18/09).
USCG – RNAs on Pacific Northwest bars - meeting
The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that it will conduct a third meeting to receive public comments on its proposal to establish regulated navigation areas (RNAs) at certain bars on the coasts of Oregon and Washington. The meeting will be held in Coos Bay on June 2. Written comments on the proposal should be submitted by June 30. 74 Fed. Reg. 23139 (May 18, 2009).
DRBOSAC – meeting
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The Delaware River and Bay Oil Spill Advisory Committee (DRBOSAC), sponsored by the US Coast Guard, will meet in Philadelphia on June 17. 74 Fed. Reg. 23197 (May 18, 2009).
OFAC – governments supporting international terrorism
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is amending the Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Regulations to bring those regulations up to date. Iraq, Libya, and North Korea are removed from the list because those countries are no longer designated as state sponsors of terrorism. The list now consists of Cuba, Iran, Sudan, and Syria. The changes are effective immediately. 74 Fed. Reg. 23111 (May 18, 2009).
IMO – ship recycling convention adopted
The IMO issued a news release stating that the diplomatic conference in Hong Kong adopted the International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009. The convention will enter into force 24 months after the date on which 15 states, representing at least 40% of the world’s merchant shipping by gross tonnage have ratified or accepted it. (5/18/09).
If you have questions regarding the above items, please contact the editor:
Dennis L. Bryant
Bryant’s Maritime Consulting
4845 SW 91st Way
Gainesville, FL 32608-8135
USA
1-352-692-5493
dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com
© Dennis L. Bryant – May 2009
Redistribution permitted with attribution
Posts
Question, how can the Coast Guard issue a "performance based" Maritime Security Directive to counter Gulf of Aden piracy when there has been only one "successful" attack on a U. S. flagged merchant vessel? Even then, the scenario was very different than most other attacks in that the pirates boarded a life boat and were shot, with the exception of one, by USN snipers.
ReplyDeleteMy point is that all Vessel Security Plan employed by U. S. flagged ships already demonstrate that they adequately address the threat because none have successfully occurred. Absent actual attacks to build "best practices" upon what more does the Coast Guard specifically want owners and operators to do?
Re-doing threat assessments with the intent to increase monitoring and harden access points is a smart idea. To invest in security technology without prior approval of the Flag Administration or allowing officers, or security guards acting as their agents, to employ lethal force without assurances that the crew won't rot in some third world prison is fool-hardy. The Coast Guard needs to think this directive through.