Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 22 September 2009

Headlines: CBP – withdrawal of proposed reinterpretation of Jones Act; Malta & Russia – Arctic Sea to be handed over to owner; Gulf of Aden – teamwork stops suspected pirates; South China Sea – piratical attack on gas carrier; ReCAAP – report for August on piracy and armed robbery against ships; USCG – meetings re ballast water standards; Mobile – restricted area; CBP – quarterly interest rates; FMC – participation in World Maritime Day parallel event; East River – security zones for meeting of UN General Assembly; USCG – formal investigation of parasailing fatalities; Louisiana – deployment of first-responder radios; Chesapeake Bay – car carrier grounds; and Los Angeles – investigation of container incident.

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CBP – withdrawal of proposed reinterpretation of Jones Act

The US Customs and Boarder Protection (CBP) released an advance copy of a notice stating that it is withdrawing its July 17, 2009 proposed notice of modification and revocation of ruling letters regarding the agency’s position regarding application of the coastwise trade laws to certain merchandise and vessel equipment that are transported between coastwise points. The official version of the notice should be published shortly. (9/15/09).

Malta & Russia – Arctic Sea to be handed over to owner

The Malta Maritime Authority (MMA) issued a press release stating that it has been advised that the Russian authorities intend to hand over the timber ship Arctic Sea to the owner in the port of Las Palmas. The MMA has advised the owner that the ship cannot proceed to sea until its surveys and certifications have been verified. The MMA also denies that it has any right or responsibility to assume ownership of the vessel. (9/17/09). Note: The owner of the Arctic Sea recently announced that it is bankrupt.

Gulf of Aden – teamwork stops suspected pirates

The European Union (EU) Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) issued a press release stating that teamwork between the Yemeni Coast Guard, a Japanese reconnaissance aircraft, an Australian warship and a German warship deterred a suspicious skiff that had approached bulk carrier transiting the Gulf of Aden. When a military boarding party approached the skiff, the individuals on the skiff threw various paraphernalia, including a ladder, overboard. (9/21/09).

South China Sea – piratical attack on gas carrier

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre issued an Incident Alert stating that an LPG tanker was boarded by six pirates while underway in the South China Sea off Anambas Island. The pirates were first sighted on the navigation bridge. They struck the duty officer and forced the captain and chief officer to hand over cash and personal effects. The pirates then departed. (9/19/09).

ReCAAP – report for August re piracy and armed robbery against ships

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre released its monthly report for August. During the month, there were a total of six incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships (four actual and two attempted) reported in Asian waters. (9/17/09).

USCG – meetings re ballast water standards

The US Coast Guard issued a notice providing the times and locations of its meetings in Seattle (September 28) and New Orleans (September 30) regarding the proposed standards for living organisms in ships’ ballast water discharged in US waters. The times and locations of its meetings in Chicago (October 2); Washington, DC (October 8): Oakland (October 27); and New York (October 29) will be announced later. Written comments must be submitted by November 27. 74 Fed. Reg. 48190 (September 22, 2009).

Mobile – restricted area

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is establishing a restricted area on waters of Mobile Bay adjacent to the AUSTRAL, USA shipbuilding facility. The regulation comes into effect on October 22. 74 Fed. Reg. 48151 (September 22, 2009).

CBP – quarterly interest rates

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a notice stating that, for the calendar quarter beginning October 1, 2009, the interest rate for overpayments will be 3% for corporations and 4% for non-corporations. The interest rate for underpayments will be 4%. 74 Fed. Reg. 48093 (September 21, 2009).

FMC – participation in World Maritime Day parallel event

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a news release stating that it will participate in the 2009 IMO World Maritime Day parallel event hosted by the US Coast Guard in New York on October 16. (9/18/09).

East River – security zones for meeting of UN General Assembly

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it is establishing security zones on the East River in the vicinity of the United Nations Headquarters during the period September 20 through October 1 during the 64th session of the UN General Assembly. (9/18/09).

USCG – formal investigation of parasailing fatalities

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it is conducting a formal investigation into the recent parasailing casualty at Ocean Isle, North Carolina that resulted in the death of two women. (9/18/09).

Louisiana – deployment of first-responder radios

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it and the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Department in Louisiana made their initial operational use of first-responder radios that allow direct communications between their on-scene resources. (9/18/09).

Chesapeake Bay – car carrier grounds

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it responded to the grounding of a car carrier in Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis. The vessel was subsequently freed with assistance from two tugs. The incident is under investigation. (9/20/09).

Los Angeles – investigation of container incident

The Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it is investigating an incident in the Port of Los Angeles. During cargo unloading, two shipping containers on the vessel were dislodged and went overboard, landing on the tank barge located alongside. The tank barge was delivering fuel oil to the container ship. There were no reports of injury or pollution. (9/19/09).

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