Bryant’s Maritime Blog–28 January 2011

Headlines: SLSDC – proposed update of Seaway regulations; US – easing of restrictions re Cuba; Arabian Gulf – USCG cutter aids stranded mariners; FMC – proceedings re US/Japan trade discontinued; NTSB – training course re cognitive interviewing techniques; DHS – color-coded alert system discontinued; USAF – repositioning of three GPS satellites; Columbia River – response to threat posed by derelict vessel; Tacoma – investigation of listing ship; California – workshop on regulations for fuel sulfur; Senate & House – hearings on Deepwater Horizon investigation; IMO – World Maritime Day – Piracy: Orchestrating the response; EC – warning to Estonia, Finland, Greece & Malta re protection of the sea; EC – UK requested to end seafarer pay discrimination; Australia – report re Pacific Adventurer casualty; Ireland – ship-source pollution regulations; Ireland – vessel traffic monitoring and information system; Singapore – merchant chipping regulatory amendments; and Establishment of US Coast Guard – January 28, 1915.

January 28, 2011

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

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. Keep misbehaving.

SLSDC – proposed update of Seaway regulations

The US Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada propose to update the St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations and Rules. The proposed changes will update the following sections: Conditions of Vessels, and Preclearance and Security for Tolls. Comments on these proposals should be submitted by February 28. 76 Fed. Reg. 5104 (January 28, 2011).

US – easing of restrictions re Cuba

To implement policy changes recently announced by President Obama, efforts are being made to increase people-to-people with those in Cuba. The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is amending, effective immediately, the Cuban Assets Control Regulations to allow greater licensing of travel to Cuba for certain activities and to expand licensing of remittances to Cuba. 76 Fed. Reg. 5072 (January 28, 2011). The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) promulgated a final rule establishing a program whereby eligible US airports may apply for approval to accommodate flights arriving directly from or departing directly for Cuba. This rule is also effective immediately. 76 Fed. Reg. 5058 (January 28, 2011).

Arabian Gulf – USCG cutter aids stranded mariners

The US Navy issued a news release stating that the US Coast Guard patrol boat Baranof rescued three fishermen whose boat had capsized in the Arabian Gulf near the coast of Kuwait. The patrol boat is attached to Combined Task Force (CTF) 55. (1/25/11).

FMC – proceedings re US/Japan trade discontinued

The Federal Trade Commission (FMC) issued an order discontinuing its proceedings relating to port restrictions and requirements in the United States/Japan trade. The proceedings were initiated in 1997 in response to apparent unfavorable conditions in the foreign oceanborne trade between the United States and Japan. The two major areas of concern were the “prior consultation” system for carrier service changes in Japan and excessively restrictive hours for unloading cargo. While these practices have not improved significantly, economic circumstances have diminished non-Japanese entities’ interest in providing stevedoring or terminal services in Japan. It appears that the potential benefits of continuing the proceeding and its semi-annual reporting requirements no longer justify the accompanying regulatory burdens on the affected ocean carriers. Docket No. 96-20 (1/26/11).

NTSB – training course re cognitive interviewing techniques

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a news release stating that it will conduct a course on Cognitive Interviewing for Accident Investigators on February 23-24 at its Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia. (1/26/11).

DHS – color-coded alert system discontinued

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a news release announcing that it is discontinuing the color-coded alerts of the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) in favor of a new system, the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) to more effectively communicate information about terrorist threats by providing timely, detailed information to the public, government agencies, first responders, airports, and other transportation hubs, and the private sector. The NTAS will be implemented over the next 90 days. (1/27/11).

USAF – repositioning of three GPS satellites

The Air Force Space Command issued a news release stating that phase one of a two-phase Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation expansion has been completed. This involved the repositioning of three GPS satellites to improve coverage and accuracy. Phase two, expected to be completed in June 2011, involves the repositioning of three more satellites. (1/19/11),

Columbia River – response to threat posed by derelict vessel

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it issued an Administrative Order requiring the owner of a derelict vessel grounded in the Columbia River to completely remove and properly dispose of all oil and garbage remaining aboard the vessel. The owner has complied with the order and the vessel no longer presents a threat to human health or the environment. (1/24/11).

Tacoma – investigation of listing ship

The Washington State Department of Ecology issued a news release stating that it and the US Coast Guard are looking into what caused a log carrier in the Port of Tacoma to list about eight degrees. The listing occurred during loading. Examination has not revealed any damage to the hull. (1/26/11).

California – workshop on regulations for fuel sulfur

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued a notice stating that it will hold a public workshop on February 17 in Sacramento on proposed amendments to the Regulations for Fuel Sulfur and Other Operational Requirements for Ocean-Going Vessels within California Waters and 24 Nautical Miles of the California Baseline. (1/24/11).

Senate & House – hearings on Deepwater Horizon investigation

The Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources conducted a hearing to review the report and recommendations issued by the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. Testimony was received from the co-chairs of the Commission: Bob Graham and William K. Reilly. The House Committee on Natural Resources conducted a similar oversight hearing. (1/26/11).

IMO – World Maritime Day – Piracy: Orchestrating the response

The IMO issued a notice stating that the theme for World Maritime Day 2011 will be “Piracy: Orchestrating the response”. The exact date of World Maritime Day is left to individual governments, but is usually celebrated during the last week in September. The day is used to focus attention on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security, and the marine environment and to emphasize a particular aspect of IMO’s work. (1/27/11).

EC – warning to Estonia, Greece, Finland & Malta re protection of sea

The European Commission (EC) issued a press release stating that it is asking Estonia, Greece, Finland, and Malta to comply with EU legislation requiring them to draw up marine strategies to protect their seas. (1/27/11).

EC – UK requested to end seafarer pay discrimination

The European Commission (EC) issued a press release stating that it has requested the United Kingdom to end discriminatory legislation allowing for differential pay of non-UK seafarers linked directly and indirectly to their nationality. (1/27/11).

Australia – report re Pacific Adventurer casualty

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released the report of its investigation into the loss of containers from the Pacific Adventurer off the coast of Queensland on 11 March 2009. The ship lost 31 containers overboard during gale force winds and large swells. Two of the containers holed the fuel tanks as they went overboard. Investigation revealed that the inspection and maintenance regime on the ship for its lashing equipment was deficient and cargo in some of the containers lost overboard was not properly stowed. MO-2009-002 (1/27/11).

Ireland – ship-source pollution regulations

The Irish Department of Transport (DoT) issued a notice advising stakeholders that Irish regulations giving effect to the European Union Directive regarding ship-source pollution entered into effect on 16 November 2010. The regulations introduce penalties, including criminal penalties, for illegal discharges of polluting substances into the marine environment. Marine Notice 5/2011 (1/24/11).

Ireland – vessel traffic monitoring and information system

The Irish Department of Transport (DoT) issued a notice advising stakeholders that Irish regulations giving effect to the European Union Directive regarding the Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information (VTM) System entered into effect on 30 November 2010. Among other things, covered vessels must utilize AIS and must provide notice at least 24 hours prior to arrival. Marine Notice 7/2011 (1/26/11).

Singapore – merchant shipping regulatory amendments

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a circular advising stakeholders of recent amendments to the Merchant Shipping Regulations. The amendments put into effect amendments to SOLAS Convention adopted by IMO Resolutions MSC.269(85) and MSC.282(86). Shipping Circular 4/2011 (1/25/11).

Establishment of US Coast Guard – January 28, 1915

The United States Coast Guard was created by Act of Congress on January 28, 1915, when the Life-Saving Service was combined with the Revenue-Cutter Service. From the beginning, the Coast Guard constituted part of the military forces of the United States. It operated (at that time) under the Treasury Department in time of peace and as part of the Navy in time of war or when the President shall so direct. Semper Paratus!

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 – January 2011

Redistribution permitted with attribution