Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 3 September 2010

Headlines: Gulf of Mexico – explosion and fire on offshore oil rig; NIC – capping stack removed; USCG – salvage and marine firefighting information collection; USCG – removal equipment and alternative technology information collection; USCG – LNG and LHG waterfront facility information collection; DOI – Lake Champaign Sea Lamprey Alternative Technologies Workgroup; Court – injunction against drilling moratorium not moot; EC – funding for former marine manufacturing workers; New Zealand – QOL Review Roadshow; and UK – Red Ensign Day.

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Gulf of Mexico – explosion and fire on offshore oil rig

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it is responding to a report of an explosion and fire on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 90 miles south of Vermillion Bay, Louisiana. There were thirteen people on the rig at the time and all have been accounted for. A second news release states that the thirteen individuals are now safely ashore, the fire has been extinguished, and there is no evidence of an oil sheen or leak. The incident is under investigation. (9/2/10). Note: The platform is located in 340 feet of water and is approximately 200 miles west of the Macondo well.

NIC – capping stack removed

The National Incident Command (NIC) issued a news release stating that the capping stack has been removed from the Macondo well. The next step will be removal of the blowout preventer (BOP). (9/2/10).

USCG – salvage and marine firefighting information collection

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements in its recent salvage and marine firefighting rulemaking. The information collection requirements come into effect immediately. 75 Fed. Reg. 54026 (September 3, 2010).

USCG – removal equipment and alternative technology information collection

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements in its recent removal equipment and alternative technology rulemaking. The information collection requirements come into effect immediately. 75 Fed. Reg. 54025 (September 3, 2010).

USCG – LNG and LHG waterfront facility information collection

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements in its recent rulemaking regarding LNG and LHG waterfront facility general requirements. The information collection requirements come into effect immediately. 75 Fed. Reg. 54025 (September 3, 2010).

DOI – Lake Champaign Sea Lamprey Control Alternatives Workgroup

The Department of the Interior issued a notice stating that it has reestablished the charter of the Lake Champaign Sea Lamprey Control Alternatives Workgroup. 75 Fed. Reg. 54163 (September 3, 2010).

Court – injunction against drilling moratorium not moot

The US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana issued an order denying the motion of defendant United States Government for dismissal of a suit by plaintiff maritime companies for an injunction against the federal government’s moratorium against deepwater oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The original moratorium was issued on May 28. On June 22, the court granted plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction. That order was sustained on appeal. The federal government then issued a new moratorium on July 12. The government then moved to dismiss the suit for an injunction, contending that the action was moot in that the original moratorium was no longer in effect. In denying the motion, the court held that the second moratorium arguably fashions no substantial changes from the first moratorium with the result that plaintiffs’ suit for an injunction is not moot. Hornbeck Offshore Services v. Salazar, No. 10-1663 (E.D. La., September 1, 2010). Note: This item was brought to my attention by my good friend Eric Roan of Pride International.

EC – funding for former marine manufacturing workers

The European Commission (EC) issued a press release stating that it approved an application from Denmark for assistance under the European Globalization adjustment Fund to help 951 workers in the marine manufacturing sector back into employment. The application for €7.5 million concerns workers made redundant in 45 businesses in the Danish region of Nordjylland. (9/2/10).

New Zealand – QOL Review Roadshow

Maritime New Zealand issued a notice announcing its QOL Review Roadshow. The roadshow will provide presentations and allow feedback regarding the proposed new framework for qualifications and operational limits (QOL) for New Zealand mariners. (9/2/10).

UK – Red Ensign Day

September 3 is commemorated annually in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth nations as Red Ensign Day, also called Merchant Navy Day. The Red Ensign is the official flag of the UK Merchant Marine, dating back to the 1650 Civil Ensign of England. (9/3/10).

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 – September 2010

Redistribution permitted with attribution