Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 28 September 2010

Headlines: National Commission – hearing; Joint USCG/BOEM Investigation – notice of upcoming session; USCG – certain dangerous cargo and notice of arrival; ITC – investigation of marine autopilot components; OFAC – economic sanctions against Iran; HSRP – meeting; NSGAB – meeting; Ireland – hydrographic survey; New Zealand – consultation on proposed new QOL framework; New Zealand – Lookout!; New Zealand – Safe Seas-Clean Seas; Singapore – Best Management Practices to deter piracy off Somalia; Singapore – consultation re liner shipping agreements; Gulf of Aden – skiff sinks, 13 drown, 61 rescued, 8 missing; UK – SAR exercise; and Anti-Flogging Act – September 28, 1850.

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Note: This blog is one section of the Bryant’s Maritime Consulting website. Visit the site for more extensive maritime regulatory information. Individual concerns may be addressed by retaining Dennis Bryant directly. Much of the highlighted text in this newsletter constitutes links to Internet sites providing more detailed information. Links on this page may be in PDF format, requiring use of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Comments on these postings are encouraged and may be made by clicking the envelope that appears at the end of each posting. Be aware that the daily blog entry is a single posting, even though it contains a number of individual items. If a single alligator can lay 5,000 in her lifetime, just think how many a married one could lay.

National Commission – hearing

The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE) conducted the first day of its third session of hearings. Topics on the agenda included: (1) the response to the BP spill; (2) environmental impacts on the Gulf; and (3) long-term restoration needs. Panelists included, but were not limited to: Governor Haley Barbour (Mississippi); Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA); Interior Secretary Ken Salazar; EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson; National Incident Commander Thad Allen; and Mr. Doug Suttles (BP). (9/27/10).

Joint USCG/BOEM Investigation – notice re upcoming session

The Joint USCG/BOEM Investigation issued a notice stating that its fifth public hearing into circumstances surrounding the explosion, fire, pollution, and sinking of the MODU Deepwater Horizon will be conducted in Metairie, Louisiana on October 4-8. (9/27/10).

USCG – certain dangerous cargo and notice of arrival

The US Coast Guard issued a final rule with regard to certain dangerous cargo (CDC) and notice of arrival (NOA) requirements. The final rule revises an earlier interim rule by including more lower-risk cargoes in the CDC residue category, thereby reducing the number of NOA submissions required based on the cargo a vessel is carrying. The final rule comes into effect on October 28. 75 Fed. Reg. 59617 (September 28, 2010).

ITC – investigation of marine autopilot components

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) issued a notice stating that it received a complaint from a US manufacturer alleging importation into the United States of certain marine autopilot components that infringe on a US patent. The allegations are under investigation. 75 Fed. Reg. 59745 (September 28, 2010).

OFAC – economic sanctions against Iran

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a final rule amending the Iran Transactions Regulations to remove general licenses authorizing importation into the United States of, and dealings with, certain foodstuffs and carpets of Iranian origin and related services, and to implement the import and export prohibitions in section 103 of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010. The amendments come into effect on September 29. 75 Fed. Reg. 59611 (September 28, 2010).

HSRP – meeting

The Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP), sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will meet in Vancouver, Washington on October 12-13. Topics on the agenda include NOAA priorities, future directions, and strategic plans. 75 Fed. Reg. 59697 (September 28, 2010).

NSGAB – meeting

The National Sea Grant Advisory Board (NSGAB), sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will meet in New Orleans on October 16-17. 75 Fed. Reg. 59697 (September 28, 2010).

Ireland – hydrographic survey

The Irish Department of Transport issued a Notice stating that a hydrographic survey operation will be conducted off the south coast of Ireland (Cork County) between September 27 and October 5 operating from the 15m to the 70m contour. Other ships should give the survey vessel a wise berth. (9/24/10).

New Zealand – consultation on proposed new QOL framework

Maritime New Zealand issued a media release stating that consultation has opened on the proposed new qualifications and operational limits (QOL) framework for New Zealand seafarers. The new framework represents a shift in emphasis from gaining sea time to proving competence through assessment and examination. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by November 19. (9/27/10).

New Zealand – Lookout!

Maritime New Zealand posted the September 2010 edition of its marine safety magazine - Lookout! This edition discusses the importance of international safety standards, fatigue, and fire safety. (9/24/10).

New Zealand – Safe Seas-Clean Seas

Maritime New Zealand posted the September 2010 edition of its marine safety and environmental protection magazine - Safe Seas – Clean Seas. This edition discusses oil spill response and the search and rescue resources database. (9/24/10).

Singapore – Best Management Practices to deter piracy off Somalia

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a Circular reminding owners, operators, and masters that they should be utilizing the recently revised (version 3) of the Best Management Practices (BMP3) to deter piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia. (9/24/10).

Singapore – consultation re liner shipping agreements

The Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) issued a Consultation Document stating that it is seeking comments on it proposal to recommend that the block exemption for liner shipping agreements be extended for another five years until 31 December 2015 without substantial changes to its scope. The CCS, though, is proposing certain changes to the information on liner shipping agreements that must be filed in order to fulfill the requirements of the block exemption. Comments on this proposal should be submitted by October 4. (9/14/10).

Gulf of Aden – skiff sinks, 13 drown, 61 rescued, 8 missing

The US Navy issued a news release stating that one of its warships encountered a disabled skiff in the Gulf of Aden. The skiff was carrying 85 persons, consisting of 10 Somalis and 75 Ethiopians. The warship dispatched a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) to repair the skiff’s engine and provide food and water. As humanitarian supplies were being transferred, the persons on the skiff rushed to one side, capsizing the skiff, which sank immediately. Search and rescue efforts commenced immediately, but 13 persons drowned and eight are missing. The remaining 61 persons from the skiff have been brought aboard the warship. (9/27/10).

UK – SAR exercise

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a press notice stating that a major search and rescue (SAR) exercise will be conducted on the River Thames on September 30 in the vicinity of Tower Bridge. The exercise will simulate a collision between a passenger vessel and a commercial vessel and is designed to test the London Emergency Services Liaison Panel (LESLP). (9/27/10).

Anti-Flogging Act – September 28, 1850

An Act making Appropriations for the Naval Service was enacted into law on September 28, 1850. In its time, it was better known as the Anti-Flogging Act because included within its various financial provisions was the following: “Provided, That flogging in the navy, and on board vessels of commerce, be, and the same is hereby, abolished from and after the passage of this act.”

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 – September 2010

Redistribution permitted with attribution