Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 7 January 2010

Headlines: USCG – termination of Loran-C signal; NOAA – meetings re FKNMS MSD discharge regulations; NOAA – nominations to the National System of MPAs; FMC – January meeting canceled; Alaska – offshore medical evacuation of crew member; Current market conditions must be considered in assessing attorneys’ fees; EU – cargo vessel escorted to Mogadishu; and Singapore – search for survivors of tugboat sinking.

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USCG – termination of Loran-C signal

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that it will commence the phased decommissioning of the Loran-C infrastructure on or about February 8 and that all Loran-C stations are expected to cease transmitting the Loran-C signal by October 1. The Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) explain the environmental aspects of the termination and the justification for this action. 75 Fed. Reg. 1383 (January 7, 2010). Note: While I can appreciate the economic basis of this decision, I still believe that the United States should not be putting all of its precision navigation capabilities into one basket. GPS is very good, but it is subject to jamming and interference.

NOAA – meetings re FKNMS MSD discharge regulations

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a notice stating that it will hold meetings in Marathon (January 21), Key West (January 25), and Islamorada (January 27) to receive public comments on its draft marine sanitation device (MSD) discharge regulations for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS). Written comments should be submitted by February 17. 75 Fed. Reg. 952 (January 7, 2010).

NOAA – nominations to the National System of MPAs

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking comment on the list of nominations of existing marine protected areas (MPAs) for inclusion in the National System of Marine Protected Areas. Comments should be submitted by February 22. 75 Fed. Reg. 972 (January 7, 2010).

FMC – January meeting cancelled

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a news release stating that its meeting scheduled for January 13 has been cancelled. (1/5/09).

Alaska – offshore medical evacuation of crew member

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that the second officer on merchant vessel was medically evacuated to a hospital in Sitka after suffering an apparent stroke. When the incident occurred, the vessel was 400 miles southwest of Sitka. The evacuation took place after the vessel reached helicopter range – 250 miles from Sitka. (1/5/10).

Current market conditions must be considered in assessing attorneys’ fees

The US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled that an award of attorneys’ fees must be based on current rather than merely historical market conditions. The instant case involved a claim by a longshoreman for compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) for work-related personal injuries. After making an award in petitioner’s favor, the administrative law judge, having heard the case in Savannah, assessed attorneys’ fees at the rate of $250 per hour. This hourly fee rate was based on a similar case heard ten years previously in Savannah where the assessed hourly rate was $200. The appellate court reversed and directed the ALJ to consider more recent information in assessing fees. Newport News Shipbuilding v. Holiday, No. 08-1129 (4th Cir., December 29, 2009).

EU – cargo vessel escorted to Mogadishu

The EU Maritime Security Centre-Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) issued a press release stating that its naval vessels escorted a ro-ro vessel carrying cargo for the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA) from Mombasa to Mogadishu. (1/6/09).

</FONT size="4">Singapore – search for survivors of tugboat sinking

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a news release stating that a search has been initiated for survivors of the sinking of a tugboat about 16 miles east of Horsburgh Lighthouse in the Strait of Singapore. Two crewmembers have been rescued, but 11 remain unaccounted for. (1/6/10). A later news release states that four bodies have been recovered. Seven persons remain missing. (1/7/10).

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