Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 3 May 2010

Headlines: Gulf of Mexico – oil spill update; USCG – status of entrance into Southwest Pass; DOD – support for oil spill response; EPA – monitoring health and environmental impacts of spill; DOJ – team dispatched to monitor oil spill; House – hearing on Deepwater Horizon oil spill; House – hearing on implications of Deepwater Horizon rig explosion; Senate – hearing on offshore oil and gas development; Louisiana – National Guard activated to support oil spill response; Mississippi – state of emergency declared; Alabama – state of emergency declared; Florida – state of emergency declared; Seattle – security zone proposed; Corpus Christi – ship manager and two individuals indicted; Narragansett Bay – maritime security and pollution response exercise; Juneau – 10,000 gallons of bunker fuel removed from 1952 wreck; USCG – Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council; IMO – Conference on Revision of HNS Convention; EMSA – newsletter; Somali Basin – suspected pirate mother ship destroyed; Indonesia – tug and barge missing; Australia – update re Shen Neng 1; New Zealand – report on collision between Coastguard boat and jet ski; Panama Canal – tolls to remain unchanged in 2010; Panama Canal – second quarter metrics; and Panama Canal – extension of temporary economic relief measures.

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Gulf of Mexico – oil spill update

The Unified Command issued a news release stating that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill has been designated a Spill of National Significance and that Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant, US Coast Guard has been designated to serve as the National Incident Commander. He will work closely with Rear Admiral Mary Landry (the federal on-scene coordinator), the Departments of Homeland Security, Interior, Defense, and Commerce, the Environmental Protection Agency, British Petroleum, Transocean, and various state and local governments to ensure the continued efficient deployment and coordination of response assets. An update was also issued summarizing the response efforts to date. Finally, the White House released the text of a press briefing on the oil spill by DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, RADM Sally Brice-O’Hara, and others, as well as a second press briefing by ADM Allen and Assistant to the President for Homeland Security John Brennan. (5/1/10).

USCG – status of entrance into Southwest Pass

The US Coast Guard issued a bulletin stating that the entrance to Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River remains open to deep draft vessels and is free of any restrictions to marine traffic. Vessels are encouraged to avoid the spill areas during voyages in the vicinity of southeast Louisiana. Vessels that must transit through an affected zone should maintain a safe speed through oil that appears light, bright, and on the surface. Vessels should make every effort to avoid pockets of heavy black oil, while ensuring safe navigation. Smaller passes in the Mississippi Delta region may be restricted or closed due to booming operations. MSIB-86 (4/29/10). Note: This item was brought to my attention by my good friend Richard Wells of the Offshore Marine Service Association.

DOD – support for oil spill response

The Department of Defense issued a news release stating that it is providing two C-130 transport aircraft and 66,000 feet of inflatable oil boom for the response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. A second news release states that members of the National Guard are being readied to assist in the spill response effort. (4/30/10).

EPA – monitoring health and environmental impacts of spill

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a news release stating that it is monitoring the health and environmental impacts of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Data obtained from the monitoring will be posted on the EPA’s oil spill website. A second news release states that Administrator Lisa Jackson is accompanying DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano and DOI Secretary Ken Salazar in a tour of potentially impacted areas. (4/30/10).

DOJ – team dispatched to monitor oil spill

The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a news release stating that a team of attorneys from multiple divisions has been dispatched from Washington, DC to New Orleans to meet with the US Attorney and response teams and to monitor the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. (4/30/10). Note: This item was brought to my attention by my good friend David Shirlaw of SeaWaves Magazine.

House – hearing on Deepwater Horizon oil spill

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce issued a news release stating that, on May 12, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will conduct a hearing on the causes of the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion and oil spill. (4/30/10).

House – hearing on implications of Deepwater Horizon rig explosion

The House Committee on Natural Resources issued a notice stating that, on May 26, it will hold an oversight hearing on the “Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Strategy and Implications of the Deepwater Horizon Rig Explosion.” (4/30/10).

Senate – hearing on offshore oil and gas development

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources issued a notice stating that, on May 6, it will conduct a hearing to review current issues related to offshore oil and gas development including the accident in the Gulf of Mexico involving the offshore oil rig Deepwater Horizon. (4/30/10).

Louisiana – National Guard activated to support oil spill response

The Office of the Governor of Louisiana issued a press release stating that Governor Bobby Jindal has activated the Louisiana National Guard to support the oil spill response effort. The National Guard will provide support for at least 90 days of military duty from up to 6,000 soldiers and airmen serving on active duty. (5/1/10).

Mississippi – state of emergency declared

The Office of the Governor of Mississippi issued a press release stating that Governor Haley Barbour declared a state of emergency for the Mississippi Gulf Coast in response to the oil spill moving toward the state’s coastline. (4/30/10).

Alabama – state of emergency declared

The Office of the Governor of Alabama issued a press release stating that Governor Bob Riley declared a state of emergency due to the imminent threat posed by the oil approaching Alabama’s coastline. (4/30/10).

Florida – state of emergency declared

The Office of the Governor of Florida released the Executive Order signed by Governor Charlie Christ declaring a state of emergency in the Panhandle Counties due to the threat posed by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. (4/30/10).

Seattle – security zone proposed

The US Coast Guard proposes to establish a security zone on waters of Elliot Bay adjacent to USCG Base Support Unit (BSU), Pier 36 in Seattle. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by August 2. 75 Fed. Reg. 23212 (May 3, 2010).

Corpus Christi – ship manager and two individuals indicted

The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a news release stating that a ship management company, a shoreside-based ship superintendent, and the second engineer of a merchant vessel have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Corpus Christi with failing to keep an accurate oil record book (ORB) and with obstruction of justice. The defendants are charged with construction and use of a false sounding tube, making fraudulent entries in the ORB, and obstructing the Coast Guard investigation. On April 21, the ship’s chief engineer pleaded guilty to similar charges. (4/29/10). Note: This item was brought to my attention by my good friends David Shirlaw of SeaWaves Magazine and John Cartner of Cartner & Fiske LLC.

Narragansett Bay – maritime security and pollution response exercise

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that, in partnership with over 30 federal, state, and local agencies, as well as approximately a dozen private companies and non-government organizations, it is sponsoring a maritime security and pollution response exercise on and around Narragansett Bay on May 3-5. (4/30/10).

Juneau – 10,000 gallons of bunker fuel removed from 1952 wreck

The US Coast Guard and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) issued a joint news release stating that over 10,000 gallons of bunker fuel have been removed from the wreck of the passenger ship Princess Kathleen, which sank in 1952 at Point Lena near Juneau. (4/30/10).

USCG – Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council

The US Coast Guard released the Spring 2010 edition of the Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council. This edition focuses on Coast Guard Rulemaking. (4/30/10).

IMO – Conference on Revision of HNS Convention

The IMO issued a news release stating that a Protocol to the Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996 (HNS Convention) has been adopted by consensus by a Diplomatic Conference convened in London. The Protocol addresses practical problems that have prevented many States from ratifying the original Convention. (4/30/10).

EMSA – newsletter

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) released its newsletter for May 2010. This issue discusses, among other things, the recent meeting between the EMSA team and representatives of all of the EU Recognized Organizations on April 15 in Lisbon. (4/30/10). Note: This item was brought to my attention by my good friend John Cartner of Cartner & Fiske LLC.

Somali Basin – suspected pirate mother ship destroyed

The EU Maritime Security Centre-Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) issued a press release stating that one of its warships found, stopped, and search a suspected pirate mother ship and two attack skiffs in the Somali Basin. The 11 Somali crew were taken on board, along with the two skiffs. The mother ship was destroyed. (4/30/10).

Indonesia – tug and barge missing

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre issued an Incident Alert stating that contact has been lost with a tug and barge transiting near Pulau Bintan, Indonesia. (4/27/10).

Australia – update re Shen Neng 1

Maritime Safety Queensland issued a news release stating that adverse weather has prevented moving the damaged bulker Shen Neng 1 into port. Instead, it will be towed to a place of refuge in Hervey Bay. Once there, plans call for its cargo to be lightered to smaller vessels. (4/30/10).

New Zealand – report on collision between Coastguard boat and jet ski

Maritime New Zealand issued the report of its investigation of the collision between an Auckland Coastguard boat and a jet ski near Auckland on 13 June 2009. The jet ski was involved in a race event. The Coastguard boat was proceeding to a training exercise. The area of the race event was not closed to others on the water. The master of the Coastguard boat was aware of the presence of the jet ski, but did not know it was involved in a race. He sounded a whistle, but to no effect. The occupant of the jet ski was wearing a full-face helmet that restricted both her vision and her hearing. The jet ski was the give-way vessel, but made no change in course or speed prior to the collision. The Coastguard boat made a last moment evasive maneuver, but to no effect. The jet ski was destroyed by the collision; its occupant suffered several broken bones. (4/30/10).

Panama Canal – tolls to remain unchanged in 2010

The Panama Canal Authority issued a press release stating that it will not adjust tolls during 2010. Modifications in the Canal’s pricing structure are now scheduled for January 2011. (4/29/10).

Panama Canal – second quarter metrics

The Panama Canal Authority issued a press release stating that, for the second quarter of fiscal year 2010, Canal Waters Time (CWT) decreased 24.7%, while total Canal transits decreased 1.5%. (4/29/10).

Panama Canal – extension of temporary economic relief measures

The Panama Canal Authority issued an advisory stating that it is extending until further notice some of the temporary measures implemented in 2009 in order to help the shipping industry reduce its operating costs. Advisory 06-2010 (4/28/10).

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