Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 26 August 2009

Headlines: USCG – report on 2004 Baltimore pontoon boat capsizing; TSA – reporting of security issues – proposal; GLPAC – meeting and membership; Access Board – meeting; Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal – temporary safety zone and RNA; IMO News – Issue 2-2009; IMO – diagnosing contaminants in oily bilge water; IMO – amendment to guidance for handling oily wastes; IMO – minimizing the risk of ship strikes with cetaceans; IMO – US submission re load line equivalency; and Canada – upgraded maritime surveillance aircraft.

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USCG – report on 2004 Baltimore pontoon boat capsizing

The US Coast Guard released its report of investigation into the March 2004 capsizing of the pontoon passenger vessel Lady D in Baltimore Harbor. Five passengers aboard the vessel died in the casualty. Like many casualties, there were a number of causative factors including, but not limited to: (1) the master’s decision to get underway in the face of an approaching squall line; (2) excessive reliance on sister-ship stability tests; (3) failure of the regulations to account for increases in the average weight per person; and (4) the lack of guidance on egress from small passenger vessels with enclosed canopies. Many of the recommendations in the investigation are already being implemented. (8/24/09).

TSA – reporting of security issues – proposal

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) proposes to establish procedures by which members of the public could report to TSA a problem, deficiency, or vulnerability regarding transportation security, including the security of the maritime mode. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by October 26. 74 Fed. Reg. 43088 (August 26, 2009).

GLPAC – meeting and membership

The Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee (GLPAC), sponsored by the US Coast Guard, will meet in Washington, DC on September 21. Topics on the agenda include ratemaking methodology. The GLPAC is also seeking applicants to fill a vacancy. Applications should be submitted by October 2. 74 Fed. Reg. 43148 (August 26, 2009).

Access Board – meeting

The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) will meet in Washington, DC on September 9-11. The Board will consider, among other things, the Passenger Vessels Report. 74 Fed. Reg. 43095 (August 26, 2009).

Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal – temporary safety zone and RNA

The US Coast Guard established a temporary safety zone and regulated navigation area (RNA) on the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal near Romeoville, Illinois placing navigational and operational restrictions on vessels transiting waters adjacent to and over the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) electrical dispersal fish barrier. This rulemaking is (was) in effect through August 25. 74 Fed. Reg. 43055 (August 26, 2009).

IMO News – Issue 2-2009

The IMO released issue 2-2009 of its magazine IMO News. This issue addresses, among other things, the new Recycling Convention, the Protocol to the HNS Convention, energy efficiency, and the revised FTP Code. (8/24/09).

IMO – diagnosing contaminants in oily bilge water

The IMO issued a circular forwarding a guide to diagnosing contaminants in oily bilge water to maintain, operate, and troubleshoot bilge water treatment systems. MEPC.1/Circ.677 (7/22/09). Note: This is an excellent and timely document. It highlights the importance of, among other things, minimizing the deposit of oil and other contaminants into the bilge and upgrading to the newest generation of oily water separator (OWS). When the IMO approved the new OWS, it unfortunately missed an opportunity to phase out the old, often inadequate generation of OWS.

IMO – amendment to guidance for handling oily wastes

The IMO issued a circular amending the 2008 revised guidelines for systems for handling oily wastes in machinery spaces of ships incorporating guidance notes for an integrated bilge water treatment system (IBTS). The amendment relates to the oil residue (sludge) service tank as part of an on-board system for oil residue (sludge) incineration. MEPC.1/Circ.676 (7/31/09).

IMO – minimizing the risk of ship strikes with cetaceans

The IMO issued a circular forwarding a guidance document for minimizing the risk of ship strikes with cetaceans. MEPC.1/Circ.674 (7/31/09).

IMO – US submission re load line equivalency

The IMO issued a circular forwarding a communication from the Government of the United States regarding load line equivalency. It provides that the United States will, on a case-by-case basis, authorize the operation of unmanned open hopper barges without cargo hatch covers. It has determined that certain open hopper barges (such as dredging spoil barges and similar dump scows) are designed for normal operations with flooded hoppers and meet the intact stability criteria. LL.3/Circ.185 (4/9/09).

Canada – upgraded maritime surveillance aircraft

Transport Canada issued a media release stating that its upgraded marine surveillance aircraft is now operational. The aircraft has been equipped with marine pollution aerial surveillance equipment designed to detect, identify, and track polluters, despite darkness or low cloud cover. This is one of three such aircraft involved in the National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP). (8/22/09).

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 – August 2009

Redistribution permitted with attribution