Bryant’s Maritime Blog–14 December 2010

Headlines: USCG – passenger weight and inspected vessel stability; Puget Sound – flashbang munitions to be used as warning tool; EPA – VGP listening session; Arabian Sea – tanker evades pirates; IMO – briefing on Cancun Climate Change Conference; EC – new Customs declaration requirement; EMSA – World Merchant Fleet 2009; Australia – report on steering gear compartment fire; Antarctic Ocean – fishing vessel sinks – 20 survivors, five dead, 17 missing; and India – lighthouses and lightships.

December 14, 2010

Bryant’s Maritime Blog
Bryant’s Maritime Consulting - 4845 SW 91^st Way - Gainesville, FL 32608-8135 - USA

Tel: 1-352-692-5493 – Email: dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com – Internet: http://brymar-consulting.com

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USCG – passenger weight and inspected vessel stability

The US Coast Guard is amending its regulations governing the maximum weight and number of passengers that may safely be permitted on board a vessel and other stability regulations, including increasing the Assumed Average Weight per Person (AAWPP) to 185 pounds. The final rule comes into effect on March 14, 2011. 75 Fed. Reg. 78063 (December 14, 2010).

Puget Sound – flashbang munitions to be used as warning tool

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that its units in the Puget Sound region will begin employing flashbang munitions as a means to warn non-compliant boaters that they are entering a security zone. Once fired, a plastic and aluminum projectile will ignite after approximately 100 meters to create a bright flash of light and a loud sound. (12/13/10).

EPA – VGP listening session

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a news release stating that it will hold a listening session in Washington, DC on December 15 to receive input on suggested improvements for the next Vessel General Permit (VGP). The VGP is a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit that regulates discharges incidental to the normal operations of certain vessels. (12/13/10).

Arabian Sea – tanker evades pirates

The EU NAVFOR issued a press release stating that, with an alert lookout and through the use of evasive maneuvers, the tanker United Star evaded a pirate attack in waters approximately 500 nautical miles northeast of Salalah, Oman. (12/13/10).

IMO – briefing on Cancun Climate Change Conference

The IMO issued a news release stating that the Cancun Climate Change Conference should be viewed as a success overall. Indications are that the IMO position on reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from vessels engaged on international shipping and the progress made in this area have been duly taken into account by the Conference. (12/13/10).

EC – new Customs declaration requirement

The European Commission issued a press release reminding stakeholders that, effective 1 January 2011, traders will have to make an electronic declaration to Customs with security data on goods before they leave or enter the European Union. (12/13/10).

EMSA – World Merchant Fleet 2009

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) posted the World Merchant Fleet 2009. It shows that there were 74,951 merchant ships in operation with a total of 853,276,000 gross tonnage. The data is derived from Equasis. (12/13/10).

Australia – report on steering gear compartment fire

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released the report of its investigation into the steering gear compartment fire on board an anchor handling tug at sea off Darwin, Northern Territory on 28 September 2009. The fire probably started when oil-soaked rags left in the compartment were ignited by heat from an electrical solenoid. Serious deficiencies existed in the ship’s emergency equipment. The fire-fighting effort was not well managed. MO-2009-009 (12/14/10).

Antarctic Ocean – fishing vessel sinks – 20 survivors, 5 dead, 17 missing

Maritime New Zealand issued a media release stating that it is coordinating the search for 17 mariners missing after a 58-meter long South Korean fishing vessel sank in the Southern Ocean about 1,000 nautical miles north of McMurdo Base. Twenty survivors have been rescued by other fishing vessels in the vicinity and five bodies have been recovered. The cause of the sinking is unknown. (12/13/10).

India – lighthouses and lightships

The Indian Ministry of Shipping issued a press release stating that its Parliamentary Consultative Committee met to discuss lighthouses and lightships. A chain of 23 Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) stations at various lighthouses provide seamless coverage for Indian waters. Plans call for lighthouses to be located at an interval of 30 nautical miles along the coastlines and islands of India to provide seamless visual and video coverage of the Indian coastline. A vessel traffic service (VTS) is being installed in the Gulf of Kachchh. The automatic identification system (AIS) network is being expanded. (12/8/10).

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 – December 2010

Redistribution permitted with attribution