Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 8 July 2009

Headlines: EPA – meetings re Category 3 marine diesel engines; Hijacking in Gulf of Aden; USCG – clarification re MSDS requirement; UK – public consultation on watercraft; Senate oversight hearing on US Coast Guard; FMC meeting; Panama Canal – June operations summary; and NY/NJ – updated hurricane contingency plan.

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

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EPA – meetings re Category 3 marine diesel engines

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice stating that it will host meetings in New York (August 4) and Long Beach (August 6) to receive public comment on the proposed rule “Control of Emissions from New Marine Compression-Ignition Engines at or Above 30 Liters per Cylinder”. 74 Fed. Reg. 32479 (July 8, 2009).

EU MSC(HOA) – hijacking in Gulf of Aden

The European Union Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa) [EU MSC(HOA)] issued a news release stating that a bulk cargo vessel, deadweight 34,173 tons, was hijacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden. The ship carried a crew of 23 sailors. (7/8/09).

USCG – clarification re MSDS requirement

The US Coast Guard issued a clarification regarding its policy with respect to the recent IMO changes affecting the material safety data sheet (MSDS) for ships carrying MARPOL Annex I oil as cargo in bulk or as fuel (bunkers). While the IMO adopted a resolution that came into effect on 1 July 2009 amending SOLAS VI/5-1 to provide a new recommended format for the MSDS, it also adopted a resolution that comes into effect on 1 January 2011 amending the application of Chapter VI of the SOLAS Convention so that the Chapter and its various regulations will apply for the first time to liquid cargoes in bulk and to oil carried as fuel. While the US Coast Guard encourages ships carrying MARPOL Annex I oil as cargo in bulk or as fuel (bunkers) to have MSDSs on board (and in the recommended format), it will not verify that ships subject to SOLAS have been provided with MSDSs until 1 January 2011. The Coast Guard acknowledges that some States, party to SOLAS, may reach differing conclusions with regard to application of the MSDS provision. (7/7/09).

UK – public consultation on watercraft

The UK Department for Transport issued the Parliamentary Statement of Paul Clark, MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport announcing that the Department has initiated a Public Consultation on the Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 200X. This proposal, if adopted, would extend the definition of “ship” to include every description of watercraft in those provisions of the Merchant Shipping legislation applying to safety, conduct endangering ships, structures or individuals, and drugs and alcohol offenses. The proposal would also extend the entitlement to ship registration in the UK to include every description of watercraft, which an owner could exercise when appropriate. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by 29 September. (7/7/09).

Senate oversight hearing on US Coast Guard

The Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation conducted an oversight hearing on the US Coast Guard. Mr. Stephen Caldwell, Government Accountability Office, testified that the agency met its goals in the majority of its missions, falling seriously short only with regard to combat readiness. Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant, US Coast Guard, testified about how the agency is modernizing to keep pace with evolving threats and new missions. (7/7/09).

FMC – meeting

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a notice providing the agenda for its meeting in Washington, DC on July 14. Among other things, the Commission will consider the Oakland MTO agreement and the Australia and New Zealand/United States Discussion Agreements. (7/7/09).

Panama Canal – June operations summary

The Panama Canal Authority issued an advisory providing a summary of operations for June 2009. In addition, it provides the schedule of planned locks maintenance work for the remainder of the fiscal year. Advisory 11-2009 (7/2/09).

NY/NJ – updated hurricane contingency plan

Some weeks ago, I posted on my website – Bryant’s Maritime Consulting - hurricane and heavy weather contingency plans that had been promulgated by various US Coast Guard sectors. It was recently brought to my attention that Sector New York has issued an updated version of its contingency plan. My website has been amended to include a link to the updated plan. I appreciate my long-suffering readers in pointing me to the current version of the plan. (7/7/09).

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 – July 2009

Redistribution permitted with attribution