Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 26 March 2010

Headlines: Somalia – hijacked vessel arrives offshore; Corpus Christi – barge explosion; Portland, Maine – SONS exercise concludes; USCG – members sought for CFIVSAC; RITA – mitigation options for GPS satellite number 49; St. Lawrence Seaway – opening of 2010 navigation season; House – bill introduced re authorization of LNG import terminals; Malta – assistance to vessel’s crew; New Zealand – latest edition of Lookout!; UK – new MCA Chief Executive announced; UK – master pleads guilty to negligent navigation, fined £1,500; and UK – report on collision between two tankers.

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Somalia – hijacked vessel arrives offshore

The EU Maritime Security Centre-Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) issued a press release stating that the freighter hijacked by pirates on March 23 while en route to Iran has arrived in the Somali coastal location of Bargaal, which had not previously been identified as a pirate stronghold. The freighter has a crew of 23. (3/25/10).

Corpus Christi – barge explosion

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it is responding to a barge explosion in Ingleside, Texas, near Corpus Christi. Two men suffered minor injuries and the barge has been severely damaged. The incident is under investigation. (3/25/10).

Portland, Maine – SONS exercise concludes

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that the Spill of National Significance (SONS) exercise in Portland, Maine has concluded. (3/25/10).

USCG – members sought for CFIVSAC

The US Coast Guard is seeking applications for membership on the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Advisory Committee (CFIVSAC). Applications should be submitted by June 1. 75 Fed. Reg. 14609 (March 26, 2010).

RITA – mitigation options for GPS satellite number 49

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) issued a notice stating that the US Government is considering several mitigation options prior to changing the health status of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite IIR-20M (satellite vehicle number 49 – SVN 49) from unhealthy to healthy. Teleconferences to discuss the mitigation options will be conducted on March 26 and April 30. Written comments should be submitted by May 28. 75 Fed. Reg. 14658 (March 26, 2010).

St. Lawrence Seaway – opening of 2010 navigation season

The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System issued a press release announcing the opening of the 2010 navigation season. (3/25/10).

House – bill introduced re authorization of LNG import terminals

Representative McGovern (D-MA) introduced a bill (H.R. 4922) to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal a section of that Act relating to exportation or importation of natural gas. (3/24/10). This bill, if enacted into law, would remove the exclusive authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve or deny an application for the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal located ashore or in state waters.

Malta – assistance to vessel’s crew

Transport Malta issued a news release stating that it is providing assistance to the crew of a vessel in the Grand Harbor arrested by creditors of the vessel’s owner after communications were lost with the owner. (3/25/10).

New Zealand – latest edition of Lookout!

Maritime New Zealand posted the latest edition of Lookout! – its marine safety periodical. (3/25/10).

UK – new MCA Chief Executive announced

The UK Department for Transport issued a news release announcing the appointment of Sir Alan Massey as the new Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). He will succeed Peter Cardy, who leaves his post in April. Sir Massey has a long naval career, spending the last two years as the Second Sea Lord and Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Home Command. (3/25/10).

UK – master pleads guilty to negligent navigation, fined £1,500

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a press notice stating that the master of a gas carrier pleaded guilty to failing to discharge his duties properly to such an extent as to be likely to endanger ships, structures, or individuals. On 6 January 2010 while transiting the Strait of Dover, his ship had a near-collision with a tanker and then almost grounded on Goodwin Sands. He was fined £1,500, plus £1,000 costs to the MCA. (3/25/10).

UK – report on collision between two tankers

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued the report of its investigation of the collision between two oil tankers on completion of a ship-to-ship transfer off the coast of Southwold on 10 August 2009. One tanker suffered minor damage and the other was undamaged. There were no injuries and no pollution. Upon completion of the transfer, the two tankers were separating, when one suffered an engine failure. Avoiding actions were not effective and the ships came into contact. Response to the engine failure and poor communications were contributory factors. Report No. 3/2010 (3/25/10).

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 – March 2010

Redistribution permitted with attribution