Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 23 February 2010

Headlines: Great Lakes – 2010 rates for pilotage; Shipping Coordinating Committee meeting; USCG – public workshop on marine technology and standards; USACE – offshore wind demonstration project in Pamlico Sound; FCC – satellite earth stations on board vessels; FMC – DOJ comments on NVOCC tariff rate filing; House – hearing on budget for USCG, MARAD & FMC; Senate – hearing on budget for NOAA; Straits of Malacca and Singapore – hydrographic survey; Australia – increase planned for Protection of the Sea Levy; UK – break-away investigated; UK – public meetings re South West Peninsula SAR services; and Iran – you say potāto, I say potăto.

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Great Lakes – 2010 rates for pilotage

The US Coast Guard issued a final rule establishing the rates for pilotage services on the Great Lakes. With effect from August 1, the rates will increase by an average of 5.07%. 75 Fed. Reg. 7958 (February 23, 2010).

Shipping Coordinating Committee – meeting

The Shipping Coordinating Committee, sponsored by the US Department of State, will meet in Washington, DC on March 9. The purpose of the meeting is to prepare for the upcoming session of the IMO Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC). Topics on the agenda include: harmful aquatic organisms in ballast water; recycling of ships; and prevention of air pollution from ships. 75 Fed. Reg. 8176 (February 23, 2010).

USCG – public workshop on marine technology and standards

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that, in coordination with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), it is co-sponsoring a public workshop on marine technology and standards. The workshop will be held in Washington, DC on July 29-30. 75 Fed. Reg. 8099 (February 23, 2010).

USACE – offshore wind demonstration project in Pamlico Sound

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued a notice stating that it intends to prepare a draft environmental impact statement for the proposed Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC Offshore Wind Demonstration Project for construction of up to three (3) power generating wind turbines within Pamlico Sound, Dare County, North Carolina. A public scoping meeting will be held in Manteo, North Carolina on March 18. 75 Fed. Reg. 8047 (February 23, 2010).

FCC – satellite earth stations on board vessels

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a notice stating that information collection requirements associated with its earlier rule governing the use of satellite earth stations on board vessels in the 5925-6425 MHz/3700-4200 MHz (C-band) and 14.0-14.5 GHz/11.7-12.2 GHz (Ku-band) came into effect on February 23, 2010. 75 Fed. Reg. 7975 (February 23, 2010). Note: The revised licensing and service rules for earth stations on board vessels were promulgated at 74 Fed. Reg. 47100 (September 15, 2009).

FMC – DOJ comments on NVOCC tariff rate filing

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) released the comments submitted by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) with regard to the petition filed by the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America requesting an exemption for non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) from certain tariff publishing and enforcement requirements. The DOJ supported the petition, contending that the tariff publishing requirements impose significant costs that limit competition, resulting in higher shipping rates. 75 Fed. Reg. 8077 (February 23, 2010).

House – hearing on budget for USCG, MARAD & FMC

On February 25, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will conduct a hearing on the FY 2011 Budget for the Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration, and the Federal Maritime Commission. (2/19/10).

Senate – hearing on budget for NOAA

On March 3, the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation will conduct a hearing on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s FY 2011 Budget Request and Fisheries Enforcement Programs and Operations. (2/19/10).

Straits of Malacca and Singapore – hydrographic survey

The IMO issued a news release stating that, as part of the Marine Electronic Highway (MEH) demonstration project, a hydrographic survey of the traffic separation scheme (TSS) of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore is now underway. The purpose is to produce an updated electronic navigation chart of the area. The survey is expected to take 50 days. (2/22/10).

Australia – increase planned for Protection of the Sea Levy

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a Cost Recovery Impact Statement (CRIS) explaining a planned increase in the Protection of the Sea Levy (PSL) to recover expenses associated with the March 2009 oil spill from the container ship Pacific Adventurer. The CRIS estimates the maximum uncompensated oil spill damages to be A$22.926 million. The CRIS proposes an increase in the PSL of 3 cents per net ton for the next five years. If the liabilities prove to be less than the maximum, then the increase in the PSL would be reduced accordingly. (2/1/10).

UK – break-away investigated

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued a summary of its Preliminary Examination of the break-away involving a decommissioned vessel on the River Humber on 19 January 2010. The vessel had recently arrived for dismantling. It broke away from its moorings on an ebb tide in dense fog. The radar echo was acquired by the Humber Vessel Traffic Service (VTS). When it was unable to communicate with anyone on board, a pilot vessel and two tugs were dispatched. One tug was able to get a line on the vessel, but was unable to prevent it from alliding with the Immingham Oil Terminal structure. As a result of this incident, the facility at which the vessel was moored has enhanced its mooring protocols. (2/22/10).

UK – public meetings re South West Peninsula SAR services

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a press notice stating that it will conduct public meetings at the University of Plymouth, North Hill (March 8) and at Kingsbridge Community College, Devon (March 9) to recent comments on search and rescue (SAR) provision in the southern part of the South West Peninsula. (2/22/10).

Iran – you say potāto, I say potăto

In 1937, George and Ira Gershwin published “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off” - a song regarding the difficulties that may ensue from using two different pronunciations for the same thing. Carrying this one step further, the media is reporting that the Government of Iran is threatening to ban from its airspace any airline that does not use the term “Persian Gulf” in their in-flight monitors to refer to the body of water on the southwest shore of Iran. Many other nations refer to that body of water as the “Arabian Gulf”. Sources that I have been able to quickly locate seem to indicate that Persian Gulf is the most common term, but that Arabian Gulf is equally acceptable. (2/22/10). Note: This is currently an aviation issue, but could easily spill over into the maritime sector.

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 – February 2010

Redistribution permitted with attribution