Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 21 December 2009

Headlines: NOAA – Marine Debris Program grant program; USCG – maintaining distinctive character of navigation lights; NOAA & NSF – underwater volcano in Pacific Ocean; USCG – top videos showing USCG missions; Strait of Juan de Fuca – CVTS 30th anniversary; Resolution introduced re ocean acidification; EC – public financing endorsed for Port of Piraeus project; EC – Polish tonnage tax scheme approved; Hong Kong – safe navigation in poor visibility; Hong Kong – Emergency Wreck Marking Buoy; and Winter/Summer solstice.

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NOAA – Marine Debris Program grant program

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a notice providing final guidelines to implement the Marine Debris Program (MDP) grant program. The mission of the NOAA MDP is to investigate and solve the problems that stem from marine debris through research, prevention, and reduction activities, in order to protect and conserve living marine resources and ensure navigation safety. 74 Fed. Reg. 67851 (December 21, 2009).

USCG – maintaining distinctive character of navigation lights

The US Coast Guard issued a safety alert reminding mariners, particularly during the holiday season, to not activate display lights that obscure the required navigational lights, unless operating in a holiday boat parade or when the vessel is secured dockside. Alert 09-09 (12/18/09).

NOAA & NSF – underwater volcano in Pacific Ocean

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a news release stating that researchers sponsored by that agency and the National Science Foundation (NSF) located and filmed an active volcano located approximately 4,000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean in an area bounded by Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa. (12/17/09).

USCG – top videos showing USCG missions

The US Coast Guard issued a news release linking its top 11 video compilation for 2009, highlighting the year’s most compelling cases from work routinely done by Coast Guard personnel. (12/16/09).

Strait of Juan de Fuca – CVTS 30th anniversary

The US Coast Guard issued a news release noting that the Agreement establishing the Cooperative Vessel Traffic Service (CVTS) between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States was signed on December 19, 1979. The CVTS provides for shared oversight of vessel traffic through the 125-mile long Strait of Juan de Fuca. (12/19/09).

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. (12/16/09).

EC – public financing endorsed for Port of Piraeus project

The European Commission (EC) issued a press release stating that it decided that public financing of pier I at the container terminal section of the Port of Piraeus is compatible with state aid rules. (12/18/09).

EC – Polish tonnage tax scheme approved

The European Commission (EC) issued a press release stating that it has authorized the introduction in Poland of a flat-rate tax regime for shipping operators based on fleet tonnage. (12/18/09).

Hong Kong – safe navigation in poor visibility

The Hong Kong Marine Department issued a notice reminding mariners to strictly comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 when navigating within Hong Kong waters, especially in poor visibility. Notice No. 172 of 2009 (12/17/09).

Hong Kong – Emergency Wreck Marking Buoy

The Hong Kong Marine Department issued a notice stating that, effective immediately, it will mark new dangerous wrecks in Hong Kong waters with the Emergency Wreck Marking Buoy recommended by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA). Notice No. 173 of 2009 (12/17/09).

Winter/Summer solstice

The Winter/Summer solstice occurs at 1747 UTC on December 21, 2009. This is when the northern hemisphere is angled at its maximum of 23°26’ away from the sun and the southern hemisphere is angled likewise toward the sun, thus marking the first official day of winter in the north and summer in the south. Take time to appreciate the seasons; they pass all too quickly.

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