Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 25 May 2010

Headlines: USCG – change of command; Gulf of Mexico oil spill – “top kill” operation; NOAA – gathering baseline data re impact of Gulf of Mexico oil spill; USCG – guidelines for US vessels operating in high-risk waters; CBP - draft PEA for deployment of HEXRIS; Invasive Species Advisory Committee meeting; NOAA – additional sites for National System of Marine Protected Areas; EPA – complaint filed against shipyard; FMC – new General Counsel; FEMA – National Hurricane Preparedness Week; House – bill introduced to repeal limitation of liability for an offshore oil facility; Australia – update re Shen Neng 1; and Singapore – collision in TSS.

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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. No added salt or MSG.

USCG – change of command

At 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 25, Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr. will relieve Admiral Thad W. Allen as Commandant, US Coast Guard in a change of command ceremony at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, DC. The ceremony will be officiated by the Honorable Janet Napolitano, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security. (5/24/10).

Gulf of Mexico oil spill – “top kill” operation

The Unified Command issued a news release containing an animation of the proposed “top kill” operation to inject drilling mud into the well in the Gulf of Mexico. (5/24/10).

NOAA – gathering baseline data re impact of Gulf of Mexico oil spill

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a news release stating that it is testing shellfish, sediment, and water at 60 coastal locations throughout the Gulf of Mexico in order to have a baseline from which to assess the environmental impact of the oil spill. (5/24/10).

USCG – guidelines for US vessels operating in high-risk waters

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that it has released revisions 2 and 3 of Maritime Security (MARSEC) Directive 104-6 providing anti-piracy guidance and mandatory measures to be undertaken by US vessels operating in high-risk waters, with specific direction for US vessels operating around the Horn of Africa. The documents are designated Sensitive Security Information (SSI) and are only available to those with an appropriate clearance and a need to know. For others, the Coast Guard issues Port Security Advisories, including PSA 02-09 (rev. 1), a non-SSI version of MARSEC Directive 104-6. 75 Fed. Reg. 29358 (May 25, 2010).

CBP – draft PEA for deployment of HEXRIS

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seeks comments on its draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for the deployment and operation of High Energy X-Ray Inspection Systems (HEXRIS) at sea and land ports of entry. The HEXRIS is a non-intrusive inspection technology that is used to aid in inspecting high-density cargo containers for contraband such as illicit drugs, currency, guns, and weapons of mass destruction. Comments should be submitted by June 24. 75 Fed. Reg. 29357 (May 25, 2010).

Invasive Species Advisory Committee – meeting

The Invasive Species Advisory Committee, sponsored by the Department of the Interior, will meet in San Francisco on June 22-24. Topics on the agenda include challenges faced by the Bay Area marine/coastal ecosystem. 75 Fed. Reg. 29359 (May 25, 2010).

NOAA – additional sites for the National System of Marine Protected Areas

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued an update to the list of the National System of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The additions were based largely on nominations submitted in response to a recent notice. 75 Fed. Reg. 29317 (May 25, 2010).

EPA – complaint filed against shipyard

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a news release stating that a complaint has been filed in federal court against a shipyard in Providence, Rhode Island alleging violations for federal law by discharging polluted water and by failing to obtain required federal permits for pressure washing, painting, and related operations. (5/24/10).

FMC – new General Counsel

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a news release stating that Rebecca Fenneman has been appointed to the Senior Executive Service and designated as General Counsel. (5/24/10).

FEMA – National Hurricane Preparedness Week

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a news release noting that this is National Hurricane Preparedness Week. (5/24/10). Note: The Bryant’s Maritime Consulting website includes a compilation of numerous USCG hurricane and heavy weather contingency plans.

House – bill introduced to repeal limitation of liability for an offshore oil facility

Representative Grijalva (D-AZ) introduced a bill (H.R. 5355) to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to repeal the limitation of liability of a responsible party for a discharge or substantial threat of a discharge of oil from an offshore oil facility. (5/20/10).

Australia – update re Shen Neng 1

Maritime Safety Queensland issued a media release stating that the damaged bulk carrier Shen Neng 1 has been moved to a safe anchorage off the Gladstone coast in preparation for a tow to China for repairs. Lightening of the vessel was completed on May 20. An ocean-going tug is expected to arrive on May 30. (5/24/10).

Singapore – collision in TSS

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a news release stating that it is responding to a collision in the Singapore Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) between a tanker and a bulk carrier. There have been on reports of injury, but the tanker has apparently lost 2,000 tonnes of oil carried as cargo. (5/25/10).

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 – May 2010

Redistribution permitted with attribution