Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 5 June 2009

Headlines: Piracy update; Bill to enhance federal oil spill research program; Status of ballast water management rulemaking; FERC/Washington MOU re hydrokinetic energy projects; and TWIC update.

Bryant’s Maritime Consulting - 4845 SW 91^st Way - Gainesville, FL 32608-8135 - USA

Tel: 1-352-692-5493 – Email: dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com – Internet: http://brymar-consulting.com

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.

NATO – piracy update

The NATO Shipping Centre issued an update stating that in the last week there have been 5 pirate attacks and two approaches in the Gulf of Aden. There have been no known piracy-related incidents in the Somalia Basin since 12 May. (6/4/09).

Bill introduced to enhance federal oil spill research program

Representative Woolsey (D-CA) introduced the Federal Oil Spill Research Program Act (H.R. 2693) to amend title VII of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, and for other purposes. (6/2/09).

USCG – status of ballast water management rulemaking

The US Coast Guard issued a notice providing an update on its ballast water management rulemaking. Among other things, it states that the proposed rulemaking for ballast water discharge standards is undergoing review at the Office of Management and Budget. (June 2009).

FERC – MOU with Washington re hydrokinetic energy projects

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a news release stating that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the State of Washington to cooperate on hydrokinetic energy projects in that state. (6/4/09).

TSA – TWIC update

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued an update to its status report on the implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. The TWIC Dashboard shows that (as of 4 June) 1,224,930 maritime workers have enrolled for a TWIC and that 1,043,317 cards have been activated. (6/4/09).

USCG – health information privacy program for military personnel

The US Coast Guard issued a notice relating to its health information privacy program announcing provisions to allow for appropriate uses and disclosures of protected health information concerning members of the Armed Forces to assure the proper execution of the military mission. The revised policy comes into effect immediately. 74 Fed. Reg. 27044 (June 5, 2009). Note: This item only affects, and is of interest to, Coast Guard military personnel.

D-Day – June 6, 1944

Tomorrow marks the 65th anniversary of D-Day, the greatest sea-borne invasion in history, when the allies assembled a vast armada of over 5,000 ships to land troops on the beaches of Normandy. Many brave people, on the allied side, the axis side, and the civilian populace, were killed or injured during the invasion, which eventually resulted in the end of World War II. Museums and monuments have been erected to mark the event. Peace would be the ultimate memorial.

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

Dennis L. Bryant

Bryant’s Maritime Consulting

4845 SW 91^st Way
Gainesville, FL 32608-8135

USA

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

http://brymar-consulting.com

© Dennis L. Bryant – June 2009

Redistribution permitted with attribution