Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 20 August 2010

Headlines: NIC – BOP replacement conditionally authorized; Joint Investigation – two new members joining team; BOEMRE – forums on offshore drilling; NTSB – forum on fishing vessel safety; USN – Atlantic Fleet Training & Testing EIS; Gloucester – LNG DWP RNAs, safety and security zones; ICCOPR – meeting; HOGANSAC – meeting; Indonesia – robbery of a passing bulker; and UK – report on fatal fall in cargo tank.

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NIC – BOP replacement conditionally authorized

The National Incident Command (NIC) issued a news release stating that Admiral Thad Allen issued a directive authorizing replacement of the blowout preventer (BOP) on the Deepwater Horizon/Macondo 252 well, providing specific conditions are met. (8/19/10).

Joint Investigation – two new members joining team

The Deepwater Horizon Joint Investigation Board issued a news release stating that two new members are joining the Investigation Team. US District Judge (ret) Wayne R. Anderson and USCG Captain Mark R. Higgins will increase the depth and diversity of the team. (8/19/10).

BOEMRE – forums on offshore drilling

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) is conducting a series of Forums on Offshore Drilling to collect information and views about deepwater drilling safety reforms, well containment, and oil spill response. Forums have already been held in New Orleans, Mobile, and Pensacola. A Forum will be held in Santa Barbara on August 24. Future, but unscheduled, forums are planned for Anchorage, Houston, Biloxi, and Lafayette.

NTSB – forum on fishing vessel safety

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a notice stating that, on October 13-14, it will conduct a public forum in Washington, DC on fishing vessel safety. The goals of the forum are: (1) to identify safety issues from the perspective of both industry and government; and (2) to identify strategies for preventing accidents and reducing the commercial fishing industry’s unacceptably high injury and fatality rate. (8/19/10).

USN – Atlantic Fleet Training & Testing EIS

The US Navy Atlantic Fleet Training & Testing is seeking public input in its preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate potential environmental effects associated with training and testing activities in the Western North Atlantic Ocean, the lower Chesapeake Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico. Public scoping meetings will be held in Boston (August 23), Virginia Beach (August 25), Morehead City (August 26), Jacksonville (August 31), and Panama City, Florida (September 1). Written comments should be submitted by September 14. (8/19/10).

Gloucester – LNG DWP RNAs, safety and security zones

The US Coast Guard is establishing regulated navigation areas (RNAs), safety zones, and security zones on waters around the two liquefied natural gas LNG) deepwater ports (DWPs) in waters of the Atlantic Ocean off Gloucester, Massachusetts. The rulemaking comes into effect on September 20. 75 Fed. Reg. 51374 (August 20, 2010).

ICCOPR – meeting

The Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research (ICCOPR), chaired by the US Coast Guard, will meet in Washington, DC on September 16 to hear comments on the priorities of oil pollution research, including projects related to the Deepwater Horizon incident and the Arctic environment. 75 Fed. Reg. 51473 (August 20, 2010).

HOGANSAC – meeting

The Houston/Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (HOGANSAC) and its working groups, sponsored by the US Coast Guard, will meet in Houston on September 23 and September 9 respectively. 75 Fed. Reg. 51473 (August 20, 2010).

Indonesia – robbery of a passing bulker

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre issued an Incident Alert stating that six robbers boarded a bulker carrier that was underway off Pulau Mangkai, Indonesia during the very early morning hours of 18 August. They tied up several crew members and held the master hostage as they stole cash and other valuables. No crew members were physically injured. (8/18/10). Note: This is the same approximate location as the three incidents reported in yesterday’s newsletter. The time has come for the littoral states to beef up their law enforcement patrols.

UK – report on fatal fall in cargo tank

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued the report of its investigation of the fatality of a shore worker in a cargo tank on an oil/chemical tanker in Hamburg on 19 February 2010. The worker fell while climbing a vertical ladder. Evidence revealed that he had been under the influence of a variety of prescription and illegal drugs. He had not been provided with a safety harness of fall arrestor. Report 9/2010 (8/19/10).

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