Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 26 July 2010

Headlines: NIC – oil spill response efforts resume; Alaska – medical evacuation; DOS – joint survey of extended continental shelf in Arctic Ocean; NOAA – research grant re Great Lakes invasive species; House – hearing re status of US vessels in foreign trade; Senate – hearing on Gulf of Mexico oil spill; House – bill introduced to require OCS drilling certification; Senate – bill introduced to improve transportation system; Senate – bill introduced to enhance maritime transportation security; Senate – bill introduce to promote protection of marine ecosystems; Senate – bill introduced to reform management of OCS; Tokyo MOU – Concentrated Inspection Campaign re harmful substances; and Ireland – seismic survey off west coast.

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NIC– oil spill response efforts resume

The National Incident Command (NIC) issued a news release stating that efforts to respond to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill have resumed now that the weather has abated. (7/25/10).

Alaska – medical evacuation

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that a crewmember of a tanker was medically evacuated after suffering chest pains. The tanker was in the Gulf of Alaska, approximately 200 miles south of Sitka. (7/25/10).

DOS – joint survey of extended continental shelf in Arctic Ocean

The US Department of State issued a media release stating that, on July 26, US and Canadian officials will hold a technical briefing via teleconference call to preview the third joint scientific survey of the extended continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean. (7/22/10).

NOAA – research grant re Great Lakes invasive species

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a news release stating that it awarded a $2.5 million grant to the University of Notre Dame to predict the next wave of invasive species likely to enter the Great Lakes and identify cost-effective countermeasures. (7/23/10).

House – hearing on status of US vessels in foreign trade

The Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure conducted a hearing on the Status of US-flagged Vessels in the US-Foreign Trade. Subcommittee Chair Elijah Cummings (D-MD) decried the absence of a cohesive federal policy for the US merchant marine. Mr. David Matsuda, Maritime Administrator, testified concerning government programs that impact the US merchant marine. Mr. Niels Johnsen, Central Gulf Lines, testified concerning the importance of the Maritime Security Program. Mr. Michael Dumas, Intermarine, testified concerning the importance of the cargo preference laws. Mr. John Reinhart, Maersk Line, Limited, testified concerning burdens imposed by unique state environmental requirements. Mr. Philip Shapiro, Liberty Maritime Corporation, testified concerning dilution of the Maritime Security Program. Mr. Donald Keefe, Marine Engineer’s Beneficial Association, testified concerning steps that should be taken to increase the competitiveness of the US merchant marine. (7/20/10).

Senate – hearing on Gulf of Mexico oil spill

The Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs conducted a hearing on the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: Ensuring a Financially Responsible Recovery, Part II. Subcommittee Chair Thomas Carper (D-) and Ranking Member John McCain (R-AZ) made opening statements. Mr. Kenneth Feinberg, Administrator, Gulf Coast Claims Facility, testified concerning establishment of the claims facility. Mr. James Hackett, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, testified that BP is the majority owner of the lease and is the exclusive operator of the well. Mr. Naoki Ishii, MOEX Offshore 2007 LLC, testified that his company is a non-operating minority investor in the lease. (7/22/10). Note: The actual opening statements and testimony may be accessed via the hearing web site.

House – bill introduced to require OCS drilling certification

Representative Sarbanes (D-MD) introduced a bill (H.R. 5846) to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to require the chief executive officer of each drilling and production operation under a lease under that Act to annually certify the operator's compliance with all applicable laws and operating regulations. Official text of the bill is not yet available. (7/22/10).

Senate – bill introduced to improve transportation system

Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced a bill (S. 3629) to improve the efficiency, operation, and security of the national transportation system to move freight by leveraging investments and promoting partnerships that advance interstate and foreign commerce, and for other purposes. Official text of the bill is not yet available. (7/22/10).

Senate – bill introduced to enhance maritime transportation security

Senator Rockefeller (D-WV) introduced a bill (S. 3639) to provide for greater maritime transportation security, and for other purposes. Official text of the bill is not yet available. (7/22/10).

Senate – bill introduced to promote protection of marine ecosystems

Senator Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced a bill (S. 3641) to create the National Endowment for the Oceans to promote the protection and conservation of United States ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems, and for other purposes. Official text of the bill is not yet available. (7/22/10).

Senate – bill introduced to reform management of OCS

Senator McConnell (R-KY) introduced a bill (S. 3643) to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to reform the management of energy and mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf, to improve oil spill compensation, to terminate the moratorium on deepwater drilling, and for other purposes. Official text of the bill is not yet available. (7/22/10).

Tokyo MOU – Concentrated Inspection Campaign re harmful substances

The Tokyo MOU issued a press release stating that, during the period September 1 through November 30, it will carry out a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on harmful substances, as defined by MARPOL Annex III, SOLAS Chapter VII, and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. (7/23/10).

Ireland – seismic survey off west coast

The Irish Department of Transport issued a Marine Notice stating that a seismic survey will be conducted in waters off the west coast of Ireland through the end of August. Ships are advised to give the survey vessel a wide berth as it is restricted in its ability to maneuver. (7/20/10).

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