Bryant's Maritime Blog: Bryant’s Maritime Blog

Headlines: influenza updates; Singapore – border control measures; piracy update; improved ocean current data; hearing on budgets for maritime agencies; recommendations re MSDSs for Annex I cargoes and bunkers; Cinco de Mayo

Note: This blog is one section of the Bryant’s Maritime Consulting website. Visit the site for more extensive maritime regulatory information. Individual concerns may be addressed by retaining Dennis Bryant directly. 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.

WHO & CDC – Influenza A(H1N1) updates – 1,124 cases

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued an update stating that, as of 0600 GMT, 5 May, 21 countries have reported 1,124 confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an update stating that 36 states have reported a total of 279 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu infection. (5/5/09).

Singapore – border control measures

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a notice advising that temperature screening has been instituted for all ships’ crew and passengers disembarking in the Port of Singapore. Crew and passengers entering the Port who have been to Mexico during the previous seven days will be issued a home quarantine order requiring quarantine for seven days when they enter Singapore. Masters must inform the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of any persons on board who made been to Mexico during the previous seven days. Port Marine Notice No. 54 of 2009 (5/3/09).

NATO – piracy update

The NATO Shipping Centre issued an update stating that the general cargo vessel Almezaan was taken by pirates on May 2 approximately 11 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia. The owners knowingly failed to report this to any authorities and are in active negotiations with the pirates. (5/4/09).

NOAA & USCG – improved ocean current data

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a news release stating that a new set of ocean observing data that enhances the ability to track probable paths of victims and drifting survivor craft should improve search and rescue (SAR) efforts along the US coast. The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is a joint effort of NOAA, the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association, the US Coast Guard, and the Department of Homeland Security. (5/4/09).

Hearing on budgets for maritime agencies

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure issued a notice stating that, on May 13, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation will conduct a hearing on the FY 2010 budget requests of the Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration (MARAD), and the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). (5/4/09).

Singapore – recommendation re MSDSs for Annex I cargoes and bunkers

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a circular advising the maritime community that the IMO Bulk Liquids and Gases Sub-Committee recently adopted revised recommendations for Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for MARPOL Annex I cargoes and marine fuel oils (bunkers). These recommendations are expected to be formally adopted by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee in June and enter into force on 1 July 2009. Among other things, the recommendation, if adopted, would require the MSDS to be provided prior to loading of MARPOL Annex I type oil as cargo in bulk and bunkering of oil fuel. Shipping Circular No. 17 of 2009 (5/4/09).

Cinco de Mayo

Today is memorialized as Cinco de Mayo (the Fifth of May). It marks the anniversary of the Mexican victory over the French occupying forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. It serves as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.