Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 14 July 2010

Headlines: NIC – fourth bill sent to BP; National Commission – second day of public meeting; St. Lawrence Seaway – Cote Ste. Catharine lock closed due to oil spill; NOAA – Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale NMS; Martha’s Vineyard – USCG boathouse fire; Senate – bill introduced to authorize certain maritime programs; Senate – bill introduced re subsea oil spill response; New Zealand – prohibited imports; and UK – report on shipboard fatality.

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NIC – fourth bill sent to BP

The National Incident Command (NIC) issued a news release stating that the fourth bill for response and recovery operations relating to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, in the amount of $99.7 million, has been sent to BP and other responsible parties. (7/13/10).

National Commission – second day of public meeting

The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling conducted its second day of public meeting on July 13 in New Orleans. The Commission received status reports concerning the deepwater drilling moratorium and the scientific and environmental aspects of the oil spill response effort. It addition, it heard from local elected officials and from persons describing the community and ecological impacts. (7/13/10).

St. Lawrence Seaway – Cote Ste. Catharine lock closed due to oil spill

The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System issued a news release stating that a ship grounded in the South Shore Canal just above the Cote Ste. Catharine locks. A fuel tank was ruptured, spilling between 50 and 200 tons of bunker fuel. As part of the response effort, the lock has been closed to navigation. The lock is expected to reopen within two days. (7/13/10).

NOAA – Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale NMS

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a notice stating that it is initiating a review of the management plan and regulations for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (NMS). Public scoping meetings will be held in Hilo (August 10); Kailua-Kona (August 11); Honolulu (August 12); Lihue (August 14); Kilauea (August 14); Kihei (August 16); Lahaina (August 17); Kaunakakai (August 18); Haleiwa (August 23); and Lanai City (August 26). Written comments should be submitted by October 16. 75 Fed. Reg. 40759 (July 14, 2010).

Martha’s Vineyard – USCG boathouse fire

The US Coast Guard issued a photo release showing the fire at its boathouse at Menemsha on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. The incident is under investigation. (7/13/10).

Senate – bill introduced to authorize certain maritime programs

Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced a bill (S. 3566) to authorize certain maritime programs of the Department of Transportation, and for other purposes. Official text of the bill is not yet available. (7/12/10).

Senate – bill introduced re subsea oil spill response

Senator Nelson (D-FL) introduced a bill (S. 3569) to improve the ability of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to respond to releases of subsea oil and gas, and for other purposes. Official text of the bill is not yet available. (7/12/10).

New Zealand – prohibited imports

The New Zealand Customs Service published a notice listing those items, including firearms, the import of which into New Zealand is prohibited. (7/13/10).

UK – report on shipboard fatality

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued the report of its investigation of the uncontrolled descent of an accommodation ladder from a container ship in San Francisco Bay on 10 September 2009 resulting in one fatality. The accommodation ladder fell because the gearbox of the hoist winch failed. The gearbox had recently undergone routine maintenance and had been incorrectly reassembled. The hoist winch was not considered to be lifting gear under national regulation; thus minimal standards were utilized in its maintenance and inspection. New international standards recently have come into force that improve those standards, but gaps still exist. Recommendations have been made for further improvement. Report 8/2010 (7/14/10).

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 – July 2010

Redistribution permitted with attribution