Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 16 August 2010

Headlines: NIC – update on response to Gulf of Mexico oil spill; Attu – Loran tower demolished; USCG – proposed changes to standard numbering system for boats; Great Bay, New Hampshire – RNA; DOT – transportation workplace drug and alcohol testing procedures; Senate – bill introduced to improve offshore energy production safety; Australia – master convicted of failing to report casualty; Canada – processing of migrants onboard MV Sun Sea.

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NIC – update on response to Gulf of Mexico oil spill

The National Incident Command (NIC) issued a news release stating that drilling of the relief well has resumed following passage of inclement weather. Elsewhere, crews continue to respond when oil comes ashore along the Gulf coast. (8/13/10).

Attu – Loran tower demolished

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that the 625-foot tower at Loran Station Attu, at the western end of the Aleutian Islands, has been demolished. The station’s participation in the US Loran system ceased on February 8 and its Russian-American signal ceased on August 1. (8/13/10).

USCG – proposed changes to standard numbering system for boats

The US Coast Guard is reopening, through October 15, the period within which to submit comments on its proposed changes to Standard Numbering System, Vessel Identification System, and Boating Accident Report Database. 75 Fed. Reg. 49869 (August 16, 2010).

Great Bay, New Hampshire – RNA

The US Coast Guard is establishing, through October 31, a temporary regulated navigation area (RNA) on navigable waters near Great Bay, New Hampshire while the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services conducts boom deployments to test the effectiveness of oil spill response strategies. Comments on this temporary rulemaking should be submitted by September 15. 75 Fed. Reg. 49843 (August 16, 2010).

DOT – transportation workplace drug and alcohol testing procedures

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is amending certain provisions of its drug testing procedures dealing with laboratory testing of urine specimens. Some of these changes will also affect the training of and procedures used by Medical Review Officers. The amendments come into effect on October 1. 75 Fed. Reg. 49850 (August 16, 2010).

Senate – bill introduced to improve offshore energy production safety

Senator Landrieu (D-LA) introduced the Restoring Ecosystem Sustainability and Protection on the Delta Act (S. 3763) to improve safety and preparedness surrounding offshore energy production and to respond to the blowout and explosion of the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon that occurred on April 20, 2010, and resulting hydrocarbon releases into the environment, and for other purposes. (8/5/10).

Australia – master convicted of failing to report casualty

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a media release stating that the master of a foreign bulk carrier pleaded guilty to and was convicted of six charges of failing to report as soon as practicable a defect in the ship or its boilers, machinery, or equipment that had affected or was likely to affect the seaworthiness or safety of the ship. He was fined AUS$18,000. The ship is now anchored within the Port of Cairns. (8/13/10).

Canada – processing of migrants onboard MV Sun Sea

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) issued a statement discussing its processing of the more than 450 migrants onboard the MV Sun Sea, which was escorted to port on Vancouver Island. (8/14/10).

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 – August 2010

Redistribution permitted with attribution