Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 15 September 2009

Headlines: EU – suspected pirates released; Horn of Africa – keeping pirates at bay; Malaysia – attempted boardings aborted when alarm raised; MARAD – procedures for determining vessel service categories; DHS – planning for 2009 H1N1 influenza; White House – Richard Lidinsky designated FMC Chair; DOT & USCG – Civil GPS Service Interface Conference; NOAA & NSF – comparative analysis of marine ecosystem organization; Canada – changes to Pacific pilotage charges; New Zealand – safety newsletter; Panama Canal – bids received to dredge Atlantic entrance; Singapore – report on recent MEPC session; USCG – fire detection systems for small passenger vessels using DC power; and USCG – mariner credentialing performance report.

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EU – suspected pirates released

The EU Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) issued a press release stating that the four suspected pirates detained by an EU NAVFOR warship after they refused to obey a command to stop have been released. The fifth individual died of wounds incurred during the incident. His body will be repatriated following consultations with local authorities in Somalia and the International Committee of the Red Cross. (9/14/09).

Horn of Africa – keeping the pirates at bay

The US Department of Defense (DOD) issued a news article discussing the efforts of the multi-national Combined Task Force 151 to deter, disrupt, and suppress piracy in waters off the Horn of Africa and maintain open channels for ships navigating the area. (9/14/09).

Malaysia – attempted boardings aborted when alarm raised

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre issued an Incident Alert stating that two attempted boardings of merchant vessels off the coast of Malaysia were aborted when the crew was alerted and mustered. Both incidents occurred in the early morning hours of 14 September while the ships were anchored. (9/14/09).

MARAD – procedures for determining vessel service categories

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued a notice stating that, pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Transportation, and the Agency for International Development (AID), it has adopted interim procedures for vessel owners or operators to designate the service category of individual vessels for purposes of compliance with the Cargo Preference Act (CPA). The public will be afforded an opportunity to comment on such self-designations, which are subject to review by MARAD. The major goal of these procedures is to provide improved guidance in distinguishing between “dry bulk carrier” and “dry cargo liner” for purposes of the CPA. The interim procedures will be utilized until replaced by formal rulemaking. 74 Fed. Reg. 47305 (September 15, 2009).

DHS – planning for 2009 H1N1 influenza

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released its recommendations for small businesses to plan for the 2009 H1N1 influenza. The guidance is also applicable to ships, waterfront facilities, and other entities in the maritime sector. (9/14/09).

White House – Richard Lidinsky designated FMC Chair

The White House issued a press release stating, among other things, that President Obama has designed Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr. as the Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). The FMC issued a news release providing additional information. (9/11/09).

DOT & USCG – Civil GPS Service Interface Conference

The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the US Coast Guard issued an announcement stating that the 49th Civil GPS Service Interface Conference (CGSIC) will be held in Savannah on September 21-22. (9/14/09).

NOAA & NSF – comparative analysis of marine ecosystem organization

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) issued a notice stating that changes have been made to the program priorities of the federal funding opportunity entitled Comparative Analysis of Marine Ecosystem Organization (CAMEO). Full proposals must be submitted by October 5. 74 Fed. Reg. 47189 (September 15, 2009).

Canada – changes to Pacific pilotage charges

Transport Canada issued a media release stating that regulations have been amended to enable the Pacific Pilotage Authority to adjust its general tariffs of pilotage charges for vessels that are 226 meters or more in overall length. The changes will result in the pilotage charge for cruise ships to be equalized with those for fully laden cargo vessels. In addition, the current charge for navigating through the Seymour Narrows channel will be eliminated. (9/11/09).

New Zealand – safety newsletter

Maritime New Zealand released the September 2009 edition of its safety newsletter Lookout. This edition discusses, among other things, over-reliance on GPS and the grounding of a fishing vessel when the watchkeeper was asleep. (9/14/09).

Panama Canal – bids received to dredge Atlantic entrance

The Panama Canal Authority issued a press release stating that it has received bids to dredge the Atlantic entrance to the Canal. It will review the bids and award the contract in the coming weeks to the lowest qualified bidder that complies with all contract requirements. (9/10/09).

Singapore – report on recent MEPC session

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a circular reporting on the results of the 59th session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 59). Shipping Circular No. 26 of 2009 (9/11/09).

USCG – fire detection systems for small passenger vessels using DC power

The US Coast Guard issued guidance regarding existing alternative fire detection systems for small passenger vessels utilizing direct current (DC) power. CG-543 Policy Letter 09-03 (9/14/09).

USCG – mariner credentialing performance report

The US Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) released its mariner credentialing performance report for August. The application inventory has been reduced to approximately 3,000 (from 14,000 at the beginning of the year). (9/14/09).

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 – September 2009

Redistribution permitted with attribution