Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 19 July 2010

Headlines: Galveston – chemical tanker grounds; Canada-US – marine pollution response agreement; Senate – bill introduced re MARAD authorization; Senate – bill introduced re subsea oil and gas releases; Senate – bill introduced to promote renewable energy; Senate – bill introduced re oil spill research; House – bill introduced re spill cleanup technologies; and Singapore – adoption of SOLAS amendments.

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Galveston – chemical tanker grounds

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that a chemical tanker grounded adjacent to the Houston Ship Channel after reportedly losing steering. There have been no reports of injury or pollution. Lightering and salvage plans are under development. The incident is under investigation. (7/15/10).

Canada-US – maritime pollution response agreement

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it signed an agreement with the Canadian Coast Guard to augment and link the pollution response systems and plans of each nation to facilitate an efficient joint response to a cross-border spill. (7/16/10).

Senate – bill introduced re MARAD authorization

Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced the Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (S. 3566) to authorize certain maritime programs of the Department of Transportation, and for other purposes. If enacted into law, the bill would provide for an assessment of container-on-barge transportation and broaden the Short Sea Transportation Initiative, among other things. (7/12/10).

Senate – bill introduced re response to subsea oil and gas releases

Senator Nelson (D-FL) introduced the Subsea Hydrocarbon Imagery and Planning Act of 2010 (S.3569) to improve the ability of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to respond to subsea releases of oil and gas, and for other purposes. (7/12/10).

Senate – bill introduced to promote renewable energy

Senator Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Securing America’s Future with Energy and Sustainable Technologies Act (S. 3576) to promote the production and use of renewable energy and for other purposes. (7/13/10).

Senate – bill introduced re oil spill research

Senator Begich (D-AK) introduced the Resources for Oil Spill Research and Prevention Act (S. 3580) to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to permit funds in the Oil Spill Liability Trust to be used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Coast Guard, and other Federal agencies for certain research, prevention, and response capabilities with respect to discharges of oil, for environmental studies, and for grant programs to communities affected by oil spills on the outer Continental Shelf, and to provide funding for such uses. (7/14/10).

House – bill introduced re spill cleanup technologies

Representative Shuster (R-PA) introduced the Oil Spill Cleanup Technologies Act of 2010 (H.R. 5727) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide for the establishment of a process for quickly and effectively soliciting, assessing, and deploying offshore oil and hazardous substance cleanup technologies, and for other purposes. (7/13/10).

Singapore – implementation of SOLAS amendments

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a circular reminding owners and operators of Singapore ships that Singapore has amended its regulations to implement recent changes to the SOLAS Convention. Shipping Circular 8-2010 (7/16/10).

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