Bryant’s Maritime Blog–14 February 2011

Headlines: USCG & EPA – VGP MOU; USACE – scoping meetings re GLMRIS; CFSAC – meeting; House – bill introduced re coastwise trade for certain LNG carriers; House – bill introduced to provide certain port authorities; House – bill introduced to prohibit drilling off West Coast; House – bill introduced to strengthen Buy America; Arabian Sea – bulk carrier hijacked by pirates; and Australia – investigation into fatality at sea.

February 14, 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. Remembering the future.

USCG & EPA – VGP MOU

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining steps the two agencies will take to better coordinate efforts to ensure compliance with the Vessel General Permit (VGP) provisions of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The VGP applies to specific discharges that are incidental to the normal operation of a vessel and are discharged from non-recreational vessels of 79 feet or greater in length. In addition, the ballast water discharge provisions apply to any non-recreational vessel of less than 79 feet or any commercial fishing vessel of any size discharging ballast water. The Coast Guard issued a Policy Letter providing guidelines for its evaluation of compliance with the VGP provisions by US and foreign vessels operating in US waters. (2/11/11).

USACE – scoping meetings re GLMRIS

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued a notice stating that public scoping meetings for the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS) will be held in Milwaukee (February 15) and New Orleans (February 17). The meeting previously scheduled to be held in Michigan on February 3, which was cancelled due to inclement weather, will be held in Ypsilanti on March 8. Written comments should be submitted by March 31. 76 Fed. Reg. 8353 (February 14, 2011).

CFSAC – meeting

The Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee (CFSAC), sponsored by the US Coast Guard, will meet in Portsmouth, Virginia on March 1-3. 76 Fed. Reg. 8372 (February 14, 2011).

House – bill introduced re coastwise trade for certain LNG carriers

Representative Young (R-AK) introduced the Domestic Energy Independence and Maritime Jobs Creation Act (H.R. 563) 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. (2/8/11).

House – bill introduced to provide certain port authorities

Representative Nadler (D-NY) introduced the Clean Ports Act of 2011 (H.R. 572) to amend title 49, United States Code, to provide certain port authorities, and for other purposes. Representative Nadler issued a press release explaining that the purpose of the bill is to reduce emissions from diesel trucks by allowing ports to adopt and enforce clean truck programs. (2/9/11).

House – bill introduced to prohibit drilling off West Coast

Representative Garamendi (D-CA) introduced a bill (H.R. 612) to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permanently prohibit the conduct of offshore drilling on the outer Continental Shelf off the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington. Official text of the bill has not yet been posted. (2/10/11).

House – bill introduced to strengthen Buy America

Representative Garamendi (D-CA) introduced a bill (H.R. 613) to strengthen Buy America requirements applicable to airports, highways, high-speed rail, trains, and transit, and for other purposes. Official text of the bill has not yet been posted. (2/10/11).

Arabian Sea – bulk carrier hijacked by pirates

The EU NAVFOR issued a press release stating that the bulk carrier Sinin has been hijacked by pirates in the Arabian Sea approximately 350 nautical miles east of Masirah, Oman. The condition of the crew of 23 is unknown. (2/13/11).

Australia – investigation into fatality at sea

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) issued a notice stating that it has commenced an investigation into a fatality on board a bulk carrier at sea on 4 February 2011. A crew member fell into an empty cargo hold while leaning over the edge of the hatch coaming to clear a wire that had become stuck in the sheave of a portable davit. (2/11/11).

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 – February 2011

Redistribution permitted with attribution