Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 5 January 2010

Headlines: Michigan – sues Illinois seeking closure of Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal; USN & USCG – cooperative rescue at sea; CBP – centralization of continuous bond program proposed; NOAA – revisions proposed for leatherback sea turtle critical habitat; FERC – conformity determination for Sparrows Point LNG terminal; Oregon & USCG – oil spill awareness class; Philippines – crew abandons distressed North Korean vessel; and Philippines – counter-piracy training for seafarers.

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Michigan – sues Illinois seeking closure of Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal

The Michigan Attorney General issued a news release stating that he has filed an action in the US Supreme Court seeking closure of the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal so as to stop the Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes. The Asian carp are invasive species that have infested the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, decimating native fish. The concern is that the carp will have a similar impact on native fish in the Great Lakes (and on the recreational and commercial fisheries) if they are able to migrate through the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal into the Lakes. (12/21/09).

USN & USCG – cooperative rescue at sea

The US Navy issued a media release stating that, at the request of and with the cooperation of the US Coast Guard, it rescued a sailor who was in distress after his sailboat was dismasted in heavy seas about 300 miles off the North Carolina coast. The US Coast Guard news release provides a broader view of the incident and the response effort. (1/3/10).

CBP – centralization of continuous bond program proposed

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) proposes to centralize its continuous bond program at CBP’s Revenue Division, Office of Finance. The authority to approve single transaction bonds would remain with port directors. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by March 8. 75 Fed. Reg. 266 (January 5, 2010).

NOAA – revisions proposed for leatherback sea turtle critical habitat

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposes to revise the critical habitat for the leatherback sea turtle to include two adjacent marine areas totaling approximately 46,100 square miles stretching along the California coast from Point Arena to Point Vincente and one 24,500 square mile marine area stretching from Cape Flattery, Washington to the Umpqua River, Oregon east of a line approximating the 2,000 meter depth contour. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by March 8. 75 Fed. Reg. 319 (January 5, 2010).

FERC – conformity determination for Sparrows Point LNG terminal

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a notice stating that it has prepared the Final General Conformity Determination for Maryland to assess the potential air quality impacts associated with construction and operation of the proposed Sparrows Point liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal and natural gas pipeline. 75 Fed. Reg. 353 (January 5, 2010).

Oregon & USCG – oil spill awareness class

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it will participate in the Northwest Oil Spill Awareness Class hosted by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on January 5. (1/4/10).

Philippines – crew abandons distressed North Korean vessel

The Philippine Coast Guard issued an update stating that the 22 crew members of a North Korean freighter abandoned ship when it developed a 46 degree list in heavy weather off the coast of Cagayan Island in the Philippines. All crew members are safe. The freighter with its cargo of iron sand is reportedly adrift. (1/1/10).

Philippines – counter-piracy training for seafarers

The Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued a news release stating that it entered into a Resolution with partners and stakeholders in the seafaring industry that, in order to counter the threat posed by piracy, ship owners, managers, and manning agencies hiring Filipino seafarers should, among other things, provide training to their crew on how to avoid, react, and cope with piracy and other related incidents. (12/10/09).

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 – January 2010

Redistribution permitted with attribution