Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 6 November 2009

Headlines: Indian Ocean – bulk carrier hijacked by pirates; Gulf of Aden – two piratical attacks disrupted; USCG – port state responses to DOS weapons demarche; Inland Waterways Users Board meeting; San Pablo Bay – safety zone proposed; Bill introduced to reauthorize hazardous materials transportation program; IMO – AIS discrepancy reports; IMO – SAR agreement between Russia and Poland; IMO – SAR arrangement between Chile and New Zealand; EMSA – November newsletter; Malta – oil spill response exercise; and UK – seminar on Maritime Labour Convention 2006.

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Indian Ocean – bulk carrier hijacked by pirates

The EU Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) issued a press release stating that a bulk carrier en route Zanzibar has been hijacked by pirates approximately 300 miles southeast of Mombasa. The ship has a crew of 21, consisting of 7 Ukrainians and 14 Filipinos. (11/5/09).

Gulf of Aden – two piratical attacks disrupted

The EU Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) issued a press release stating that within the space of a few hours two merchant vessels were attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden. The first attack was disrupted by a NATO warship; the second attack was disrupted by an EU NAVFOR warship. (11/5/09).

USCG – port state responses to DOS weapons demarche

The US Coast Guard posted a summary of the responses received to date from various port states to the Department of State (DOS) demarche requesting information regarding carriage and transport of self-defense weapons aboard US commercial vessels. The ten responses received to date are a mixed bag. South Africa, for example, responded with a simple “yes”. Oman said yes, but contact the local port authority. Djibouti said yes, but imposes license and transit fees. Latvia and Sweden responded “no”. The United Arab Emirates said “no” and added that persons or vessels entering with arms will be arrested. (10/23/09). Note: Ship owners and operators may want to check carefully prior to entering a port with weapons or armed security guards on board.

Inland Waterways Users Board – meeting

The Inland Waterways Users Board, sponsored by the US Army Corps of Engineers, will meet in New Orleans on December 15. The Board will hear the results of the Inland Marine Transportation System (IMTS) Investment Strategy Team activities, as well as the status of funding for inland navigation projects and studies and the status of the Inland Waterways Trust Fund. 74 Fed. Reg. 57460 (November 6, 2009).

San Pablo Bay – safety zone proposed

The US Coast Guard proposes to establish a permanent safety zone in San Pablo Bay for Coast Guard Use of Force Training exercises. The safety zone would be enforced during such training exercises. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by January 5, 2010. 74 Fed. Reg. 57427 (November 6, 2009).

Bill introduced to reauthorize hazardous materials transportation program

Representative Oberstar (D-MN) introduced the Hazardous Material Transportation Act of 2009 (H.R. 4016) to reauthorize the hazardous material safety program, ensure the safe transport of hazardous material in all modes of transportation, and reduce the risks to life and property inherent in the commercial transportation of hazardous material, and for other purposes. (11/4/09).

IMO – AIS discrepancy reports

The IMO issued a circular forwarding AIS discrepancy reports for the period July to September 2009. Analysis of the reports shows that in the majority of cases the errors relate to transmission of wrong IMO number, MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity), call sign, or name of a particular ship. These information items relate to fixed or static information, which is entered into the AIS on installation and need only be changed if the ship changes its name or undergoes a major conversion from one ship type to another. MSC.6/Circ.4 (10/2/09).

IMO – SAR agreement between Russia and Poland

The IMO issued a circular forwarding an agreement between the Russian Federation and Poland on search and rescue (SAR) regions and coordination of SAR services. SAR.6/Circ.39 (8/26/09).

IMO – SAR arrangement between Chile and New Zealand

The IMO issued a circular forwarding an arrangement between Chile and New Zealand on search and rescue (SAR) regions and coordination of SAR services. SAR.6/Circ.40 (10/6/09).

EMSA – November newsletter

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) issued its November newsletter. Among other things, the newsletter reports that, during the period 12-16 October, its CleanSeaNet satellite service detected three oil spills in the western Mediterranean Sea, which were then identified and confirmed by aircraft. The discharging ships are being investigated by the French authorities. (11/5/09).

Malta – oil spill response exercise

The Malta Maritime Authority issued a news release stating that a successful oil spill response exercise was conducted on November 4 off the coast of Delimara. (11/4/09).

UK – seminar on Maritime Labour Convention 2006

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a press notice stating that it and the UK Chamber of Shipping are co-sponsoring a seminar in London on November 9-10 on the Maritime Labour Convention 2006. The UK is on target to ratify the Convention toward the end of 2010. The seminar will examine the Convention from both the flag state and port state perspective. (11/5/09).

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 – November 2009

Redistribution permitted with attribution