Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 31 August 2009

Headlines: USCG – oil spill removal equipment requirements; USCG – nontank vessel oil spill response plans; Malta – participation in investigation of Arctic Sea incident; Strait of Messina – new traffic separation scheme; IMO – removal of anti-fouling coatings; ReCAAP – piracy report for July 2009; DOD – combating modern piracy; GOM – boaters missing for a week found alive; Lewes, Delaware – oil spill advisory committee meeting; Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal – vessel traffic restrictions; San Joaquin River – bulker touches bottom, refloats; EU – EGNOS to be declared operationally ready in October; Australia – certificate for carriage of livestock; Maritime New Zealand profile; South Korea – space launch; and UK – piranha in Devon river.

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USCG – oil spill removal equipment requirements

The US Coast Guard is updating its requirements for oil-spill removal equipment associated with vessel response plans (VRP) and marine transportation-related facility response plans (MTFRP). These changes will add requirements for new response technologies and revise methods and procedures for responding to oil spills upon the waters of the United States, adjoining shorelines, and the EEZ. The amendments also revise the compliance date for updates of VRPs required by the salvage and marine firefighting regulations so that plan holders are not required to update their VRPs twice within a 12-month period. The changes come into effect on September 30. 74 Fed. Reg. 45003 (August 31, 2009).

USCG – nontank vessel oil spill response plans

The US Coast Guard proposes to incorporate into its regulations requirements for certain nontank vessels operating on waters of the United States to have oil spill response plans (NTVRPs). The requirement currently exists in federal law and has been explained in guidance previously issued by the Coast Guard. This rulemaking proposes to largely make that guidance official. It also proposes to update the international Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) requirements that apply to certain nontank vessels and tank vessels. Finally, it proposes to require vessel owners and operators to submit their oil spill response plan control numbers as part of the already required advance notice of arrival information. Comments on these proposals should be submitted by November 30. 74 Fed. Reg. 44969 (August 31, 2009).

Malta – participation in investigation of Arctic Sea incident

The Malta Maritime Authority issued a press release stating that the Russian authorities have acceded to its request to send a representative to Russia and officially participate in the investigation of recent incident involving the Maltese-flag MV Arctic Sea. (8/27/09).

Strait of Messina – new traffic separation scheme

The IMO issued a circular forwarding information received from the Government of Italy announcing establishment of a new traffic separation scheme (TSS) in the Strait of Messina. The TSS will come into effect six months after its notification to IMO. The Note Verbale advising of this action is dated 29 May 2009. SN.1/Circ.279 (6/12/09).

IMO – removal of anti-fouling coatings

The IMO issued a circular forwarding guidance on best management practices for removal of anti-fouling coatings from ships, including TBT hull paints. AFS.3/Circ.3 (7/22/09).

ReCAAP – piracy report for July 2009

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre issued its Report for July 2009 summarizing reports it received of incidents of piracy and armed and armed robbery against ships in Asian waters. In July 2009, eight such incident were reported, with seven being actual incidents and one an attempted incident. This compares with ten such incidents (all actual) in July 2008. (8/28/09).

DOD – combating modern piracy

The Department of Defense issued a news release summarizing the presentation of a Navy historian tracing the rise of piracy. Among other things, the historian noted that strategies used to fight pirates in the past still hold true today. One is that you can’t fight pirates with large warships. You need ships with shallow drafts that can chase the pirates close to shore. Another is that it is more efficient to hit the pirates in their shore facilities. (8/28/09).

GOM – boaters missing for a week found alive

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that recreational fishing, missing for a week after departing from Port Aransas have been found alive in the Gulf of Mexico 180 miles off the coast. When found, the three were sitting on top of their capsized 23-foot vessel. A subsequent release shows the three arriving back in Port Aransas. (8/30/09).

Lewes, Delaware – oil spill advisory committee meeting

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that the Delaware River and Bay Oil Spill Advisory Committee will conduct a public meeting in Lewes, Delaware on September 9. The committee was formed after the 2004 oil spill from the tanker Athos I to provide advice and recommendations to the Coast Guard to improve oil spill prevention and response in those waters. (8/28/09).

Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal – vessel traffic restrictions

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it continues to enforce vessel traffic restrictions on the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal in the vicinity of the electric fish barrier at Romeoville, Illinois. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is testing the effects of higher voltage on certain vessels. The USCG Captain of the Port, on a case-by-case basis, may approve use of commercial towing vessels to conduct dead-ship tows of restricted boats. (8/28/09).

San Joaquin River – bulker touches bottom, refloats

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that a 570-foot bulk carrier outbound from Stockton, California with a cargo of rice, steel, and lumber temporarily lost steering in the San Joaquin River and made contact with the river bottom. There were no reports of injury or pollution. Under the assistance of a tug, the ship is en route to an anchorage where it can undergo inspection. The incident is under investigation. (8/27/09).

EU – EGNOS to be declared operationally ready in October

The European GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) Supervisory Authority issued a news release stating that it expects to declare in October 2009 that the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) is operationally ready. EGNOS, a precursor to the Galileo precise navigation system, is an augmentation of GPS and improves its accuracy. It is currently available in Europe. (8/27/09).

Australia – certificate for carriage of livestock

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a notice reminding owners and operators of livestock carriers of the coming into force of Marine Orders relating to handling of livestock. In particular, from 1 December 2011, vessels used for carriage of livestock must be in compliance with, among other things, IMO Resolution MSC.1 (XLV) in order to be eligible for an Australian Certificate for the Carriage of Livestock (ACCL). Marine Notice 13/2009 (8/25/09).

New Zealand – profile of Maritime New Zealand

Maritime New Zealand issued a brochure furnishing a Profile that briefly explains the agency’s roles and missions. (8/27/09).

South Korea – space launch

The IMO issued a circular forwarding information received from the Government of the Republic of Korea advising of the planned launch of Korea Space Launch Vehicle-I and advising of possible hazards to marine navigation from falling debris. SN.1/Circ.280 (6/16/09). Note: The launch was on August 25, 2009. No ships reported any problems with falling debris. The satellite was successfully sent into space, but did not achieve the desired orbit.

UK – piranha in Devon river

The UK Environment Agency issued a news release stating that a piranha was discovered in a river in Devon. Piranhas are native to the Amazon River basin and are infamous for having razor-sharp teeth and for hunting in packs. (8/28/09). Could be further evidence of global warming?

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