Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 18 December 2009

Headlines: CEQ – coastal and marine spatial planning; USCG – RBS projects; Florida – gaming vessel recertified; Resolution introduced re ocean acidification; Alaska – opacity air monitoring of passenger vessels; California – changes proposed to oil spill drills & exercise regulations; Washington – ship operators fined for delayed reactions to spills; ReCAAP – November report re piracy and armed robbery; EMSA – December newsletter; ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA; and UK – boater prosecuted for speeding on River Thames.

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CEQ – coastal and marine spatial planning

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is seeking comments on the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force’s Interim Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning. Comments should be submitted by February 12, 2010. 74 Fed. Reg. 67178 (December 18, 2009).

USCG – RBS projects

The US Coast Guard issued a notice providing an accounting of recreational boating safety (RBS) projects, programs, and activities funded during fiscal year 2009 under provisions of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. 74 Fed. Reg. 67242 (December 18, 2009).

Florida – gaming vessel recertified

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it reinstated the Certificate of Compliance for a gaming vessel operating out of Palm Beach. Earlier, the Certificate had been revoked due to recurring engine problems. The vessel’s flag administration reclassified the vessel and it passed engineering trials at sea as dictated by its classification society. (12/17/09).

Resolution introduced re ocean acidification

Representative Inslee (D-WA) introduced a resolution (H. Res. 989) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should adopt national policies and pursue international agreements to prevent ocean acidification, to study the impacts of ocean acidification, and to address the effects of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and coastal economies. Official text of the resolution is not yet available. (12/16/09).

Alaska – opacity air monitoring of passenger vessels

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) released its 2009 Opacity (Air) Monitoring Summary of Commercial Passenger Vessels. The standard requires that visible emissions from vessel smoke stacks be no greater than 20% opacity for three minutes while docked or anchored. For the 2009 cruise ship season, ADEC issued three notices of violation. (11/23/09).

California – changes proposed to oil spill drills & exercise regulations

The California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) issued a proposal to amend its regulations pertaining to drills and exercise requirements for oil spill contingency plans. Drill documentation requirements would be expanded and the process for obtaining credit for out-of-state exercises would be clarified. A public meeting on this proposal will be held in Sacramento on February 2. Comments on the proposal must be submitted by February 2, 2010. (12/2/09).

Washington – ship operators fined for delayed reactions to spills

The Washington State Department of Ecology issued a news release stating that it levied fines against two ship operators for delayed reaction to oil spills. One operator did not notify the Department for a hydraulic oil spill that occurred while getting underway until two hours later. The other operator delayed activating its contingency plan until nearly 48 hours after it was notified by the Coast Guard and the Department of the spill. (12/11/09).

ReCAAP – November report on piracy and armed robbery

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre issued its November 2009 report on piracy and armed robbery in the Asian region. Reports of eight such incidents were received during the month. Of these, five were actual incidents and three were attempted incidents. For comparison, in November 2008, there were ten reported incidents (nine actual and one attempted). (12/17/09).

EMSA – December newsletter

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) released the December issue of its newsletter. This issue addresses, among other things, approval of its 2010 work program and a meeting on conformity assessment procedures for marine equipment. (12/17/09).

ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA

The New Zealand Customs Service issued a news release reminding stakeholders that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) will come into effect for New Zealand, Australia, and 10 ASEAN Member States on 1 January 2010. (12/17/09).

UK – boater prosecuted for speeding on River Thames

The UK Environment Agency issued a media release stating that a boater was ordered to pay a total of £1,195 for navigating his boat without due care and at excessive speed along the River Thames. The boat’s speed caused excessive wash – destroying a water-bird’s nest filled with eggs, as well as damage to other boats. (12/17/09).

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