Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 16 December 2009

Headlines: FEMA – proposed revisions to ICS Forms Booklet; FMC – information from carriers in US-Aus/NZ trade; Puerto Rico – temporary grounding of LNG carrier; Great Lakes – icebreaking season commences; Oregon & Washington – RNAs to be established along coast; CRS – report on advanced spectroscopic portal program; EC & Ireland – aquatic tourism; and Australia – safety notice re possibly defective lifebuoys.

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Tel: 1-352-692-5493 – Email: dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com – Internet: http://brymar-consulting.com

Note: This blog is one section of the Bryant’s Maritime Consulting website. Visit the site for more extensive maritime regulatory information. Individual concerns may be addressed by retaining Dennis Bryant directly. Much of the highlighted text in this newsletter constitutes links to Internet sites providing more detailed information. Links on this page may be in PDF format, requiring use of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Comments on these postings are encouraged and may be made by clicking the envelope that appears at the end of each posting. Be aware that the daily blog entry is a single posting, even though it contains a number of individual items.

FEMA – proposed revisions to ICS Forms Booklet

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is seeking comments on proposed revisions to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) Forms Booklet, FEMA 502-2. Comments should be submitted by January 15, 2010. 74 Fed. Reg. 66666 (December 16, 2009). Note: The US Coast Guard provides the current ICS forms in three parts: ICS-1, ICS-2, and ICS-3. It also provides an ICS Area Command Forms Booklet.

FMC – information from carriers in US-Aus/NZ trade

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a news release stating that it issued an Order under Section 15 of the Shipping Act of 1984 requiring carriers in the US-Australia/New Zealand trade to submit information regarding current trade and competition conditions. Named as respondents, individually and as agreement members, are: Hamburg-Sud; Maersk Line; CMA-CGM; ANL Singapore; and Marfret. (12/15/09).

Puerto Rico – temporary grounding of LNG carrier

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier grounded near Guayanilla, Puerto Rico. The vessel refloated after the crew transferred cargo from forward to aft tanks. It is now moored at a local facility, where it is undergoing inspection. The incident is under investigation. (12/15/09).

Great Lakes – icebreaking season commences

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it is preparing for the 2009-2010 icebreaking season on the Great Lakes. (12/15/09).

Oregon & Washington – RNAs to be established along coast

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that the new regulation establishing regulated navigation areas (RNAs) along the Oregon and Washington coasts will come into effect on Thursday, December 17. (12/15/09).

CRS – report on advanced spectroscopic portal program

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) released its report on the advanced spectroscopic portal (ASP) program. The report is for the purpose of providing background and issues to inform the work of Congress. It points out that laboratory and field tests of the ASPs, cost-benefit analyses, and other activities are ongoing. Among the issues Congress faces are whether to further define the expected performance of the ASP systems through additional legislation; how to assess whether the ASP systems are technologically ready to be deployed; how to weigh the potential economic and security benefits of ASP deployment against its financial cost; and whether the certification process developed by the Department of Homeland Security to establish a ‘significant increase in operational effectiveness” is well founded. RL34750 (9/3/09).

EC & Ireland – aquatic tourism

The European Commission (EC) issued a press release stating that the Irish National Tourism Development Authority is inviting entries for the fourth phase of EDEN, the European Union tourism competition. The theme for this year’s competition is aquatic tourism. Entries must be submitted by February 25, 2010. (12/15/09).

Australia – safety notice re possibly defective lifebuoys

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a notice drawing attention to potential defects that may be found with certain lifebuoys supplied by Veleria S. Giorgio of Italy. Some of these lifebuoys may have a defect that allows entry of water and loss of buoyancy. Such lifebuoys should be examined for possible defects. Marine Notice 17/2009 (12/11/09).

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 – December 2009

Redistribution permitted with attribution