Monday, August 23, 2010

Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 23 August 2010

Headlines: NOAA – subsurface oil plume found in Gulf of Mexico; DOJ – chief engineer sentenced for failure to maintain ORB; Astoria – Sector Columbia River; Honolulu – container yard project; DOL – exclusion of recreation-vessel workers from LHWCA; House – hearing on accounting for spilled oil; ReCAAP – report for July; and Canada – Arctic Foreign Policy.

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NOAA – subsurface oil plume found in Gulf of Mexico

clip_image004 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a news release stating that scientists funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and affiliated with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have detected a plume of hydrocarbons at least 22 miles long and more than 3,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, a residue of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The 1.2 mile-wide, 650-foot-high plume of trapped hydrocarbons was detected during a ten-day subsurface sampling effort on June 19-28 near the wellhead. (8/20/10).

DOJ – chief engineer sentenced for failure to maintain ORB

clip_image006 The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a news release stating that the former chief engineer of a foreign cargo vessel has been sentenced to one year probation to include seven days of home confinement after pleading guilty to violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) by failing to maintain an accurate oil record book (ORB). The moderate punishment reflected a sentence reduction based upon his substantial cooperation in the investigation. (8/17/10).

Astoria – Sector Columbia River

clip_image008 The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that Sector Columbia River will be formally established in Astoria, Oregon on Monday, August 23, when Sector Portland combines with Group/Air Station Astoria. (8/20/10).

Honolulu – container yard project

clip_image010 The Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a news release stating that work has begun on the Honolulu Harbor Pier 29 Container Yard project, funded in large part by a federal grant. (8/20/10).

DOL – exclusion of recreational-vessel workers from LHWCA

clip_image012 The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs of the Department of Labor (DOL) proposes to amend its regulations to exclude from coverage under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) certain recreational-vessel workers. The excluded workers would be those who repair recreational vessels or dismantle them for repair, regardless of the length of the vessel on which they work. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by October 18. 75 Fed. Reg. 50718 (August 17, 2010).

House – hearing on accounting for spilled oil

clip_image014 The Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce conducted a hearing on “The BP Oil Spill: Accounting for the Spilled Oil and Ensuring the Safety of Seafood from the Gulf”. (8/17/10).

ReCAAP – report for July

clip_image016 The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre issued its Report for July 2010. The report states that there were eleven incidents of armed robbery against ships in Asia during this period, an increase of three over the same period in 2009. (8/20/10).

Canada – Arctic Foreign Policy

clip_image018 Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada released the Statement on Canada’s Arctic Foreign Policy. It states that Canada’s vision for the Arctic is a stable, rules-based region with clearly defined boundaries, dynamic economic growth and trade, vibrant Northern communities, and healthy and productive ecosystems. The Statement is intended to articulate how the Government of Canada will promote this vision. (8/20/10). Note: Canada currently has Arctic boundary disputes with the United States and Denmark (Greenland). The limits of the continental shelf under the Arctic Ocean remain undefined. Rules for maritime operations in Arctic waters, particularly in the Northwest Passage, are in dispute.

If you have questions regarding the above items, please contact the editor:

Dennis L. Bryant

Bryant’s Maritime Consulting

4845 SW 91st Way
Gainesville, FL 32608-8135

USA

1-352-692-5493
dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com

http://brymar-consulting.com

© Dennis L. Bryant – August 2010

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