Friday, December 17, 2010

Bryant’s Maritime Blog–17 December 2010

Headlines: National Commission – Louisiana Berms Project; Columbia River – tug and barge temporarily hung up on buoy; Lake Michigan – limited service load lines for river barges; DOJ – National Shipbuilding Research Program; USCG – Flag Officer and Senior Executive Service assignments; House – bill introduced re coastwise carriage of natural gas; Indian Ocean – use of best management practices avoids hijacking; Paris MOU – NIR implementation; Australia – inattention leads to grounding; Australia – systemic safety management investigation of pilotage operations; Ireland – new Coast Guard Operations Centre opened; Singapore – block exemption for liner shipping extended; UK – modernization consultation for HM Coastguard; and Holiday wishes.

December 17, 2010

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

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

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. When all else fails, SHOUT.

National Commission – Louisiana Berms Project

clip_image004 The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling posted a Staff Working Paper on the Louisiana Berms Project. The paper notes that the project was highly controversial from the beginning and that decisions were based more on politics than on science. The berms were described as underwhelmingly effective and overwhelmingly expensive. The paper recommends that, in the future, an independent process, separated from the National Incident Command, be established to evaluate proposals such as these. (12/16/10).

Columbia River – tug and barge temporarily hung up on buoy

clip_image006 The Washington State Department of Ecology issued a news release stating that a tug and barge were temporarily hung up on a buoy on the Columbia River about 1.5 miles downstream from the Astoria Bridge. The barge was loaded with about 2.9 million gallons of low-sulfur diesel. The tug and barge were freed by the crew. The barge was assessed by the Coast Guard and no damage was found. The tug and barge are en route Portland, Oregon. (12/16/10).

Lake Michigan – limited service load lines for river barges

clip_image006[1] The US Coast Guard is delaying, until June 15, 2011, the effective date for certain regulation relating to limited service domestic voyage load lines for river barges on Lake Michigan. It is also reopening, until January 18, 2011, the period in which to submit comments on this revision. All other revisions in the final rule will enter into force on December 20, 2010. 75 Fed. Reg. 78928 (December 17, 2010).

DOJ – National Shipbuilding Research Program

clip_image008 The Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a notice stating that changes have been made to the membership of the National Shipbuilding Research Program. Atlantic Marine Holding Company of Jacksonville has been removed as a party. BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards AMHC, Inc. of Jacksonville has been added. 75 Fed. Reg. 79025 (December 17, 2010).

USCG – Flag Officer and Senior Executive Service assignments

clip_image006[2] The US Coast Guard issued a message announcing 2011 Flag Officer and Senior Executive Service assignments. (12/10/10).

House – bill introduced re coastwise carriage of natural gas

clip_image010 Representative Brady (D-PA) introduced a bill (H.R. 6524) to authorize issuance of certificates of documentation authorizing certain vessels to engage in coastwise trade in the carriage of natural gas, and for other purposes. (12/15/10).

Indian Ocean – use of best management practices avoids hijacking

clip_image012 The EU NAVFOR issued a press release stating that the tanker Hellespont Trinity was attacked by a pirate skiff in the eastern Indian Ocean approximately 220 nautical miles west of Angria Bank, India. Using best management practices, the master increased speed and undertook evasive maneuvers. The pirates broke off the attack when they were unable to execute a boarding. (12/16/10).

Paris MOU – NIR implementation

clip_image014 The Paris MOU issued a notice reminding stakeholders that the New Inspection Regime (NIR) will enter into effect on 1 January 2011. Under the NIR, quality ships will be rewarded with longer inspection intervals. High risk ships will be subject to expanded inspections every six months. Ships with three or more detentions will be banned for a minimum of three months. (12/14/10).

Australia – inattention leads to grounding

clip_image016 The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) issued the report of its investigation into the grounding of products tanker at Kirkcaldi Reef, Torres Strait on 7 February 2009. Investigation revealed that the course steered failed to account for the strong cross wind and tidal stream. The bridge team, including the pilot, failed to closely monitor the actual progress of the tanker until just prior to the grounding. MO-2009-001 (12/16/10).

Australia – systemic safety management investigation of pilotage operations

clip_image017 The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) issued a news release stating that it will undertake a systemic safety investigation into Queensland’s coastal pilotage operations. Safety issues that may be considered include: shipboard safety management system procedures for passage planning; assessment and audit system to check how coastal pilots carry out pilotages; and traffic monitoring system of the coastal vessel traffic service. (12/16/10).

Ireland – new Coast Guard Operations Centre opened

clip_image019 The Irish Department of Transport issued a press release stating that the new Irish Coast Guard National Marine Operations Centre has opened in Dublin. The Centre is responsible for coordinating search and rescue operations, as well as pollution response, salvage and ship casualty response, and control and surveillance of passing ships and maritime infrastructure off the Irish coast. (12/16/10).

Singapore – block exemption for liner shipping extended

clip_image021 The Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) issued a notice stating that it has extended through 31 December 2015 the block exemption order (BEO) for liner shipping agreements. (12/16/10).

UK – modernization consultation proposals for HM Coastguard

clip_image023 The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a notice stating that it is seeking comments on its proposals for a modernized, fully-networked national Coastguard to flexibly manage the greatly varying demands of its workload. It also proposes changes in the leadership, management, and support provided to volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers and make better use of their local knowledge and training. Comments on the Consultation Document should be submitted by 24 March 2011. The notice was accompanied by a formal statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning. (12/16/10).

Holiday wishes

clip_image025 As we approach the end of the calendar year and, for many of my long-suffering readers, the opening of the holiday season, it is time to reflect on our many blessings and to anticipate more joyous times ahead. I, for one, am blessed with a broad-based and tolerant group of subscribers. During this season, spend as much time as possible with your family. They most truly know you and still love you.

If you have questions regarding the above items, please contact the editor:

Dennis L. Bryant

Bryant’s Maritime Consulting

4845 SW 91st Way
Gainesville, FL 32608-8135

USA

1-352-692-5493
dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com

http://brymar-consulting.com

© Dennis L. Bryant – December 2010

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