Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 31 August 2010

Headlines: White House – additional economic sanctions against North Korea; White House – Export Control System to be streamlined; FMC- compromise agreements re civil penalty actions; PHMSA – LNG vapor-gas dispersion models; USCG – updating regulations for lifesaving equipment; Seattle – security zone; NOAA – Federal Aquatic Nuisance Species Research Risk Analysis Protocol; Potomac River – restricted area proposed; Cape Fear River – changes to restricted area; India – plans to increase port capacity; Indonesia – pirate attack; and North Sea – watch the plank.

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White House – additional economic sanctions against North Korea

The White House released an Executive Order signed by President Obama establishing new economic sanctions against North Korea. It blocks the property of certain persons engaged in the import or export to or from North Korea of any arms or luxury goods or engaged in illicit activity involving the Government of North Korea. (8/30/10).

White House – Export Control System to be streamlined

The White House issued a news release stating that the US Export Control System is to be streamlined. The goal is to both strengthen national security by clearly defining which export limitations apply to specific items and technologies and improving US commercial competiveness by eliminating or reducing export restrictions on many items and technologies. (8/30/10).

FMC – compromise agreements re civil penalty actions

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a news release stating that it executed six compromise agreements recovering a total of $218,750 in civil penalties from a vessel-operating common carrier and five ocean transportation intermediaries for alleged violations of the Shipping Act of 1984. (8/30/10).

PHMSA – LNG vapor-gas dispersion models

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued guidance on the requirements for obtaining approval of alternative vapor-gas dispersion models for liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. 75 Fed. Reg. 53371 (August 31, 2010).

USCG – updating regulations for lifesaving equipment

The US Coast Guard proposes to amend its regulations for certain lifesaving equipment, including launching appliances, release mechanisms, survival craft, rescue boats, and automatic disengaging devices. The proposed rules would harmonize the Coast Guard’s design, construction, and performance standards for this lifesaving equipment with international standards. The proposed rules also provide for use of qualified independent laboratories, instead of Coast Guard inspectors, during the approval process and for production inspections of certain types of lifesaving equipment. Comments on this proposal should be submitted by November 29. 75 Fed. Reg. 53457 (August 31, 2010).

Seattle – security zone

The US Coast Guard issued a final rule establishing a security zone on waters of Elliott Bay in Seattle adjacent to the USCG Base Support Unit at Pier 36. The rule comes into effect on September 30. 75 Fed. Reg. 53195 (August 31, 2010).

NOAA – Federal Aquatic Nuisance Species Research Risk Analysis Protocol

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a notice stating that it is seeking comments on its draft revised Federal Aquatic Nuisance Species Research Risk Analysis Protocol. Comments should be submitted within 45 days. 75 Fed. Reg. 53273 (August 31, 2010).

Potomac River – restricted area proposed

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) proposes to establish a restricted area on waters of the Potomac River adjacent to Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by September 30. 75 Fed. Reg. 53264 (August 31, 2010).

Cape Fear River – changes to restricted area

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued a direct final rule making minor changes in the current restricted area on waters of the Cape Fear River and its tributaries adjacent to the Sunny Point Army Terminal. The changes will come into effect on November 1, unless adverse comments are received by September 30. 75 Fed. Reg. 53197 (August 31, 2010).

India – plans to increase port capacity

The Indian Ministry of Shipping issued a press release stating that it is formulating a decadal action plan envisioning an annual growth of 10% in port traffic. Indian ports will have to handle traffic of about 2.5 billion tonnes by 2020. (8/30/10).

Indonesia – pirate attack

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre issued an Incident Alert stating that six pirates, armed with long knives, boarded a freighter underway in the South China Sea about 24 miles off Pulau Mangkai, Indonesia. They took control of the bridge, binding the bridge team and the anti-piracy watch with ropes. They forced the electrical engineer to bring them to the captain’s cabin. When they attempted to force the locked door, the captain escaped through the porthole and alerted the crew. The pirates escaped with two binoculars and two walkie-talkies stolen from the bridge. The master suffered minor injuries while passing through the porthole. The electrical engineer suffered head injuries when the pirates assaulted him. (8/30/10).

North Sea – watch the plank

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a press notice warning mariners in the North Sea that about 60 tonnes of wooden planks, measuring 1m x 3m, have been lost overboard in heavy weather from a freighter bound for Shoreham from Sweden. (8/30/10).

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