Thursday, April 1, 2010

Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 1 April 2010

Headlines: Boston – RNAs and safety /security zones proposed for LNG DWPs; FMC – hearings in vessel capacity and equipment availability investigation; DOT – agreement on removal of obsolete vessels from Suisun Bay; CBP – Alan Bersin appointed CBP Commissioner; NOAA – reducing ship strikes; UK – Safety Digest; UK – Galileo Commercial Service Definition Study; and April Fools’ Day.

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Bryant’s Maritime Consulting - 4845 SW 91st Way - Gainesville, FL 32608-8135 - USA

Tel: 1-352-692-5493 – Email: dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com – Internet: http://brymar-consulting.com

Note: This blog is one section of the Bryant’s Maritime Consulting website. Visit the site for more extensive maritime regulatory information. Individual concerns may be addressed by retaining Dennis Bryant directly. Much of the highlighted text in this newsletter constitutes links to Internet sites providing more detailed information. Links on this page may be in PDF format, requiring use of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Comments on these postings are encouraged and may be made by clicking the envelope that appears at the end of each posting. Be aware that the daily blog entry is a single posting, even though it contains a number of individual items. Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. America and all the ships at sea (with apologies to the later Walter Winchell).

Boston – RNAs and safety/security zones proposed for LNG DWPs

clip_image004 The US Coast Guard proposes to establish new and modify existing regulated navigation areas (RNAs) and safety/security zones off the coast of Massachusetts in the vicinity of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) deepwater ports (DWPs) in the Boston Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone. Comments on this proposal should be submitted by June 1. 75 Fed. Reg. 16370 (April 1, 2010).

FMC – hearings in vessel capacity and equipment availability investigation

clip_image006 The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a notice stating that it will conduct confidential hearings concerning vessel capacity and equipment availability in San Francisco (April 6-7) and Portland, Oregon (April 8). (3/31/10).

DOT – agreement on removal of obsolete vessels from Suisun Bay

clip_image008 The Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a news release stating that it has entered into an agreement with various environmental advocacy groups for removal of the remaining 52 obsolete ships currently moored at the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet. The ships will be placed in dry-dock for removal of marine growth and flaking paint prior to be transferred for recycling. (3/31/10).

CBP – Alan Bersin appointed CBP Commissioner

clip_image010 The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a news release stating that Mr. Alan Bersin has been appointed by President Obama as CBP Commissioner. (3/30/10).

NOAA – reducing ship strikes

clip_image012 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) posted information on reducing ship strikes. While the guidance focuses on the North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW), it is useful with regard to all whale species. The NARW has begun its annual migration from waters off the southeast US to waters off New England. Thus, mariners along the entire US Atlantic coast should be on the lookout (and observing speed limitations as applicable) through all those waters. (3/31/10).

UK – Safety Digest

clip_image014 The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued its Safety Digest 1/2010. The focal point of this issue is the legal and moral duty of mariners to respond to distress calls. A recent incident revealed that many mariners are not keeping a visual or radio watch for distress signals and some do not understand their obligation to respond properly when a distress signal is received. (3/31/10).

UK – Galileo Commercial Service Definition Study

clip_image016 The UK Department for Transport posted the Galileo Commercial Service Definition Study, which assesses the impact of various service choices on the governance arrangements for the Galileo global navigation satellite system (GNSS). (3/31/10).

April Fools’ Day

clip_image018 April 1 is traditionally celebrated as April Fools’ Day. There is one minor problem: no one knows why! There are several possible explanations. My favorite is that it is due to a misreading of one of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Such a misreading is highly likely as the book was written in Old English, which very few people understand. Even the Old English had difficulty with it, so they traded it for Modern English, which many understand, but few properly speak. Regardless of the reason, enjoy the day.

If you have questions regarding the above items, please contact the editor:

Dennis L. Bryant

Bryant’s Maritime Consulting

4845 SW 91st Way
Gainesville, FL 32608-8135

USA

1-352-692-5493
dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com

http://brymar-consulting.com

© Dennis L. Bryant – March 2010

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