Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 23 April 2010

Headlines: Gulf of Mexico – damaged MODU sinks, eleven workers still missing; USCG – proposal re approval of classification societies; Oregon – application for wave energy feasibility study; House – bill introduced to reaffirm FWPCA jurisdiction; ReCAAP – hijacked tug and barge abandoned by pirates; and Ireland – hydrographic survey off east coast.

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Gulf of Mexico – damaged MODU sinks, eleven workers still missing

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that the mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) Deepwater Horizon, located in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 52 miles south of Venice, Louisiana, sank. It suffered a severe explosion and fire late on the night of April 20. Of the 126 persons on board at the time, eleven remain missing. Seventeen suffered significant injuries and were medically evacuated to hospitals ashore. The other 98 individuals have been brought ashore safely. A search continues for the missing individuals. The sinking has extinguished the fire, but the discharge of oil from the drill site continues. An investigation into the cause of the casualty is ongoing. (4/22/10).

USCG – proposal re approval of classification societies

The US Coast Guard proposes to establish application procedures and performance standards that classification societies must meet in order to be approved by the Coast Guard for work relating to the review, examination, survey, or certification of vessels in the United States. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by July 22. 75 Fed. Reg. 21212 (April 23, 2010).

Oregon – application for wave energy feasibility study

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a notice stating that it received an application for a permit proposing to study the feasibility of a wave energy project to be located in the North Pacific Ocean located between 2.5 and 3.0 miles off the coast near Coos Bay, Oregon. Comments on the application should be submitted within 60 days. 75 Fed. Reg. 21289 (April 23, 2010).

House – bill introduced to reaffirm FWPCA jurisdiction

Representative Oberstar (D-MN) introduced the America’s Commitment to Clean Water Act (H.R. 5088) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reaffirm the jurisdiction of the United States over waters of the United States. (4/21/10).

ReCAAP – hijacked tug and barge abandoned by pirates

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre issued an Incident Alert stating that the tug and barge hijacked by pirates off the east coast of Malaysia on April 19 has been found near Singapore. The pirates abandoned the vessels. The crew is safe. (4/22/10).

Ireland – hydrographic survey off east coast

The Irish Department of Transport issued a notice stating that, during the period from 22 April through 1 June, a hydrographic survey operation will be carried out off the east coast of Ireland. The survey vessel will sometimes be towing a magnetometer. Other vessels should give the survey vessel a wide berth. Marine Notice 8/2010 (4/21/10).

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 – April 2010

Redistribution permitted with attribution