Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 2 December 2009

Headlines: Indian Ocean – suspected pirates detained following unsuccessful attack; Arabian Sea – unsuccessful piratical attack on oil tanker; Somalia – hijacked VLCC anchored off coast; NOAA – proposed critical habitat for Cook Inlet beluga whale; UK – Safety Digest; UK – Hydrographic Office to launch Admiralty e-Navigator; IMO – International Maritime Prize awarded to Alberto Aleman; St. Lawrence Seaway – closing information; Hong Kong – withdrawal of government mooring buoys; and USCG – rescue of kidnapped boy.

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Indian Ocean – suspected pirates detained following unsuccessful attack

The EU Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) issued a press release stating that, on November 29, two pirates in two skiffs attacked a Spanish fishing vessel in the Indian Ocean 175 nautical miles east of Victoria, Seychelles. The pirates broke off the attack when the security team embarked on the fishing vessel fired warning shots. Some hours later, units of the Seychelles Coast Guard, the EU NAVFOR, and NATO intercepted a mother skiff and two smaller skiffs. The ten individuals on board the skiffs were detained as suspected pirates and taken into custody by the Seychelles Coast Guard. (12/1/09).

Arabian Sea – unsuccessful piratical attack on oil tanker

The NATO Shipping Centre issued an update stating that a crude oil tanker came under attack by pirates in a mothership and a skiff in position 11-45N, 063-32E. The pirates fired weapons at the tanker, which succeeded in evading the attack. (12/1/09). Note: The position given places this incident in the Arabian Sea approximately midway between Somalia and India, and well east of the designated high-risk waters.

Somalia – hijacked VLCC anchored off coast

The EU Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) issued a press release stating that the VLCC Maran Centaurus, hijacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean on November 29, is now anchored off the Somali coast near Hobyo. (12/2/09).

NOAA – proposed critical habitat for Cook Inlet beluga whale

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOOA) proposes to designate two areas as critical habitat for the Cook Inlet beluga whale. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by February 1, 2010. 74 Fed. Reg. 63080 (December 2, 2009).

UK – Safety Digest

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued its Safety Digest 3/2009 providing lessons learned from recent marine accident reports. This digest emphasizes the importance of risk assessments. It is highly preferable to avoid risks beforehand than to learn the hard way – after a casualty. (12/1/09).

UK – Hydrographic Office to launch Admiralty e-Navigator

The UK Hydrographic Office issued a news release stating that it is launching the Admiralty e-Navigator in early 2010. This is an integrated digital catalogue, product viewer, and passage planning tool intended to simplify navigation and fleet management. Using e-Navigator, the mariner can plot a route and identify the most appropriate products needed to navigate that route safely and compliantly. It compares the products required with what the ship currently holds and allows new UKHO products to be ordered if needed. (12/1/09).

IMO – International Maritime Prize awarded to Alberto Aleman

The IMO issued a news release stating that the prestigious International Maritime Prize for 2008 has been presented to Mr. Alberto Aleman Zubieta, Administrator of the Panama Canal Authority, for his contribution to maritime safety, security, and prevention of pollution from ships. The Prize is awarded annually by the IMO to the individual or organization judged to have made the most significant contribution to the work and objectives of the Organization. (12/1/09).

St. Lawrence Seaway – closing information

The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System established a separate website focusing on providing information relevant to the upcoming closing of the 2009 Seaway Navigation Season. The site includes access to a variety of weather and ice information. (12/1/09).

Hong Kong – withdrawal of government mooring buoys

The Hong Kong Marine Department issued a notice stating that it will be withdrawing twelve government mooring buoys from waters between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon during December. Notice No. 163 of 2009 (11/30/09).

USCG – rescue of kidnapped boy

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it rescued a three-year-old boy allegedly kidnapped by his father. The non-custodial father had taken the boy onto his sailboat in St. Petersburg, Florida and got underway without the mother’s permission. The Coast Guard located the sailboat in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 140 miles southwest of Fort Myers Beach. The boy was transferred to one Coast Guard cutter for return to his mother. Another cutter has detained the father and is towing the sailboat back to shore. (12/1/09).

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