Bryant’s Maritime Blog – 4 October 2010

Headlines: USCG – salvage and marine firefighting; Houston – Ship Channel closed due to downed power line; DOJ – engine manufacturer and shipbuilder sued; DHS – NIC disestablished, replaced by Unified Command; National Commission – deliberative discussions; National Commission – downloads from Meeting 3; DOI – reorganization of MMS; USCG MSD Massena – updated telephone number; ANSTF – meeting; APHIS – interstate movement of garbage from Hawaii; Canada – 25% tariff on imported ships to be waived; and MS Prinsendam fire and sinking – October 4, 1980.

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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. Isn’t it quiet around the house when the goldfish dies?

USCG – salvage and marine firefighting

The US Coast Guard published guidance for implementation and enforcement of the salvage and marine firefighting requirements for tank vessel response plans (VRPs). The Coast Guard issued regulations on this topic on December 31, 2008. Those regulations come into effect on February 11, 2011, the same date as the standard five-year renewal requirement for existing VRPs. The guidance recommends that, because the renewal approval process can take approximately 90 days, updated VRPs with the salvage and marine firefighting provisions be submitted promptly. NVIC 2-10 (9/27/10).

Houston – Ship Channel closed due to downed power line

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it has closed the Houston Ship Channel to navigation between mile markers 105 and 124 due to a downed power line. A towboat pushing three barges allided with the tower supporting the power line. The tower structure is currently being held up by one of the barges. Power to the line has been secured. The incident is under investigation. (10/3/10).

DOJ – engine manufacturer and shipbuilder sued

The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a news release stating that it has filed a civil complaint against the manufacturer of marine diesel engines and a shipbuilder for violations of the Clean Air Act and the EPA regulations relating to compression-ignition engines. The complaint alleges that the manufacturer built and sold 32 marine engines without EPA-issued certificates of conformity. The shipyard is alleged to have installed those engines in ships built and sold in the US. The complaint further alleges that those engines, plus eight more, had missing or defective emissions-compliance labels. The complaint, which is the first under the marine diesel engine rules, seeks civil penalties, as well as actions by the companies to remedy the violations and to mitigate any excess pollutant emissions caused by the violations. (9/30/10).

DHS – NIC disestablished, replaced by Unified Command

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a news release stating that the National Incident Command (NIC) for responding to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill has been disestablished and replaced by the Unified Command, which will be headed up by Rear Admiral Paul Zukunft. In a second news release, Secretary Janet Napolitano commended Admiral Thad Allen (ret) for his dedicated service and strong leadership throughout the response effort. The White House issued a news release containing President Obama’s praise for Admiral Allen’s dedicated service to the nation. (10/1/10).

National Commission – deliberative discussions

The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling issued a notice stating that it will deliberate on preliminary findings related to the root causes of the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster and options to guard against an mitigate impacts of future spills. The discussions will be conducted in Washington, DC on October 13. The deliberations will be broadcast on the internet. (10/1/10).

National Commission – downloads from Meeting 3

The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling issued a notice providing access to videos and downloads from its Meeting 3, held in Washington, DC on September 27-28. (10/1/10).

DOI – reorganization of MMS

The Department of the Interior (DOI) issued a final rule abolishing the Minerals Management Service (MMS) and assigning its responsibilities to three separate organizations, including new Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement and the new Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR). The change is effective immediately, unless substantive adverse comment is received by November 3. 75 Fed. Reg. 61051 (October 4, 2010).

USCG MSD Massena – updated telephone number

The US Coast Guard issued a final rule correcting the telephone number for Marine Safety Detachment (MSD) Massena as shown in the regulation establishing the process for obtaining permission to transit the security zones at Moses-Saunders Nuclear Power Dam and the Long Sault Spillway Dam. The correct telephone under is (315) 769-5483. 75 Fed. Reg. 61099 (October 4, 2010).

ANSTF – meeting

The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF), sponsored by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), will meet in Arlington, Virginia on November 3-4. Topics on the agenda include species management and control plans, vector management, and consideration of state ANS management plans. 75 Fed. Reg. 61175 (October 4, 2010).

APHIS – interstate movement of garbage from Hawaii

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a notice stating that it has withdrawn its finding of no significant impact (FONSI) regarding interstate movement of garbage from Hawaii. The agency will re-examine the issue based on new information. 75 Fed. Reg. 61121 (October 4, 2010).

Canada – 25% tariff on imported ships to be waived

The Canadian Department of Finance issued a news release stating that it is waiving the 25% tariff on imports of all general cargo vessels and tankers, as well as ferries longer than 129 meters. The goal is to help grow Canada’s shipping industry and the job it creates. (10/1/10).

MS Prinsendam fire and sinking – October 4, 1980

The cruise ship Prinsendam was built in 1973 for Holland America Line. It was an average size for its day, carrying about 350 passengers and 200 crew. Just after midnight on October 4, 1980, a fire broke out in the engineroom as the ship was transiting the Gulf of Alaska. Shortly thereafter, the master sent a message to the US Coast Guard requesting assistance. The ship was then 120 miles south of Cape Spencer and outside the range of USCG helicopters. The Coast Guard advised the master to send out an SOS, but he refused. The chief radio officer sent one anyway. Ships in the area responded, including the tanker Williamsburg and the USCGC Boutwell, which served as the on-scene coordinator. The master gave the order to abandon ship at sunrise. The US Air Force dispatched long-range helicopters, which carried persons from the lifeboats to the Williamsburg. The Prinsendam was taken under tow, but the fire could not be extinguished and the ship was listing heavily in deteriorating weather. Permission to bring the ship into sheltered waters was denied by the Coast Guard, but probably had no impact, as the ship sank shortly thereafter. The Williamsburg brought 359 passengers and crew safely to Valdez. There were no fatalities and no serious injuries.

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 – October 2010

Redistribution permitted with attribution