Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 9 November 2009

Headlines: Gulf of Mexico – preparations for Hurricane Ida; Indian Ocean – warning re threat of hijacking and piracy; FMC – petition for exemption re filing of individual service contract amendments; Gulf of Mexico – Florida LNG DWP facility approved for construction; USCG – North Atlantic Right Whale speed reduction; USCG – Oregon and Washington bars closed due to heavy weather; Pascagoula – USCGC Waesche – In-Commission Special; CBP – seizure of Volkswagen Bus stolen in 1974; OFAC – economic sanctions enforcement guidelines; USN – meetings with commercial tanker industry; IMO – Canada accedes to Bunker Convention; Singapore – APEC Singapore 2009; and the Great Lakes storm of 1913.

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Gulf of Mexico – preparations for Hurricane Ida

The US Coast Guard issued a news release advising mariners in the Gulf of Mexico to make preparations for the arrival of Hurricane Ida. The ship’s heavy weather plan should be reviewed and implemented. The appropriate USCG Sector Hurricane Plan should also be reviewed. The USCG hurricane plans are available on the “Hurricane Contingency Plans” page of the Bryant’s Maritime Consulting website. (11/8/09).

Indian Ocean – warning re threat of hijacking and piracy

The Office of the Maritime Administrator, Republic of the Marshall Islands issued an advisory warning that the threat of hijacking and piracy extends beyond the waters of the Gulf of Aden and the waters immediately off the coast of Somalia. A ship was recently attacked and hijacked just north of the Comoros Islands, well outside the usual high risk waters. Masters are urged to exercise caution throughout this broader region. Marine Safety Advisory No. 52-09 (11/5/09).

FMC – petition for exemption re filing of individual service contract amendments

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a notice stating that it received a petition from Hanjin Shipping Co., Ltd. for an exemption from the FMC rule requiring the filing of individual service contract amendments. Petitioner is in the process of a corporate reorganization that would, under the current FMC regulation, require the filing of more than 2,700 service contract amendments solely to reflect the reorganization. No substantive changes are being made to the service contracts. Petitioner requests authorization to submit a “universal notice” to the Commission to reflect this reorganization. Comments on this petition should be submitted by November 16. Petition No. P1-09 (11/6/09).

Gulf of Mexico – Florida LNG DWP facility approved for construction

The Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a news release stating that the Maritime Administration (MARAD) has approved the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) deepwater port (DWP) in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. As part of the approval agreement, officials of Port Dolphin Energy, LLC agreed to provide employment and training opportunities to US mariners on ships using the DWP. (10/27/09).

USCG – North Atlantic Right Whale speed reduction

The US Coast Guard issued a news release reminding operators of vessels 65 feet or greater in length that the Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Rule came into effect on November 1. This rule requires such vessels to slow down while operating in US Mid-Atlantic waters where North Atlantic Right Whales are known to migrate, calve, and nurse. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) provides further details regarding the Ship Strike Reduction Program. (10/30/09).

USCG – Oregon and Washington bars closed due to heavy weather

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that the Pacific Coast river bars from the Coquille River to Gray’s Harbor (including the Columbia River bar) have been closed for all vessels due to extreme winds and heavy seas. (11/6/09).

Pascagoula – USCGC Waesche – In-Commission Special

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that the service has accepted delivery of its second National Security Cutter, the USCGC Waesche, which was placed in the In-Commission Special status pending its upcoming shakedown cruise. A second news release reports on acceptance of the cutter from Northrop Grumman, the ship builder. (11/6/09).

CBP – seizure of Volkswagen Bus stolen in 1974

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a news release stating that its agents in the Port of Los Angeles seized a 1965 Volkswagen Bus that was reported stolen in Spokane, Washington in 1974. The vehicle was scheduled for export to the Netherlands. The vehicle, owned by the insurance company that paid the original theft claim, is in pristine condition. (11/5/09). Note: I don’t have to invent this stuff. It just pops up on its own.

OFAC – economic sanctions enforcement guidelines

The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has finalized its Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines, setting forth the policy that OFAC will follow in determining an appropriate enforcement response to apparent violations of US economic sanctions programs that OFAC enforces. These guidelines finalize an interim rule promulgated previously and come into effect immediately. 74 Fed. Reg. 57593 (November 9, 2009).

USN – meetings with commercial tanker industry

The US Navy issued a notice stating that the Military Sealift Command (MSC) will be holding monthly meetings to partner with the commercial tanker industry so that the industry will be more cognizant of the Department of Defense (DOD) Petroleum, Oil, and Lubes (POL) Procurement Process. The first meeting will be held in Washington, DC on November 17. 74 Fed. Reg. 57665 (November 9, 2009).

IMO – Canada accedes to Bunker Convention

The IMO issued a circular advising that Canada has acceded to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001. The Convention will enter into force for Canada on 2 January 2010. At present, there are 45 States Parties to the Convention, representing 79.15% of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant shipping. Bunkers.1/Circ.35 (10/2/09).

Singapore – APEC Singapore 2009

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a notice stating that, in conjunction with APEC Singapore 2009, vessels will be prohibited from anchoring in the demarcated area at the Eastern Anchorage on Saturday, 14 November from 1600 to 2359. Vessels currently anchored in this area will be required to shift out of the area by 1300 on 14 November. Port Marine Notice No. 160 of 2009 (11/6/09).

Great Lakes storm of 1913

In early November, 1913, a blizzard struck the US Midwest and the Canadian province of Ontario. The Great Lakes storm of 1913 reached its highest intensity on November 9. A total of 19 ships were sunk and another 19 were stranded on Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie. Cargo losses were in excess of 68,300 tons and were valued at over a million dollars. More than 280 mariners lost their lives in the most destructive natural disaster to ever strike the Great Lakes.

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