Bryant’s Maritime Blog–28 February 2011

Headlines: US – economic sanctions against Libya; UN – sanctions imposed on Libyan authorities; USCG & MARAD – warning to yachts and sailing vessels re pirates; JIT – revised schedule; National Commission – three staff working papers released; FMC – advance copy of NVOCC negotiated rate arrangements rule; Massachusetts – RFI re OCS wind energy development; North Atlantic – coordinated assistance for disabled freighter; Gulf of Mexico – bulker disabled, taken under tow; DOI – marine well containment systems; DOI – National Invasive Species Awareness Week 2011; CBP – Trade Symposium sold out, webcast participation available; Indian Ocean – injured seaman medically evacuated; and New Zealand – Christchurch customs office reopens.

February 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. Remembering the future.

US – economic sanctions against Libya

President Obama issued an Executive Order blocking property and prohibiting certain transactions related to Libya. The sanctions apply to the Government of Libya and any agencies or instrumentalities thereof and to the family of Muammar Qadhafi. The sanctions came into effect at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Friday, February 25, 2011. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a General License authorizing transactions related to third country Libya-owned or Libya-controlled banks. (2/25/11).

UN – sanctions imposed on Libyan authorities

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) issued a news release stating that it voted unanimously to impose sanctions against Libyan authorities, slapping the country with an arms embargo and freezing the assets of its leaders, while referring the ongoing violent repression of civilian demonstrators to the International Criminal Court (ICC). (2/26/11). Note: A copy of the resolution imposing sanctions is not yet available.

USCG & MARAD – warning to yachts and sailing vessels re pirates

The US Coast Guard issued a Warning to US-registered yachts and sailing vessels regarding the dangers posed by pirates operating in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Somali Basin, and the western parts of the Indian Ocean. Pirates in these waters are heavily armed and non-commercial vessels are unlikely to be able to resist a pirate attack. The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued an advisory regarding risk to vessel transiting high risk waters. While the recommendations provided apply to all vessels planning to transit the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and waters off the Horn of Africa, yachts and sailing vessels are specifically cautioned against attempting such voyages. Advisory 2011-01 (2/25/11).

JIT – revised schedule

The USCG/BOEMRE Joint Investigation Team (JIT) issued a news release stating that the forensic examination of the blowout preventer (BOP) from the Deepwater Horizon casualty has been delayed. The forensic report is now expected to be delivered to the JIT no later than March 20. The JIT expects to hold another set of public hearings the week of April 4 to focus specifically on the BOP. The JIT has been granted an extension of its deadline for completion of its final report, which is now due no later than July 27. (2/25/11).

National Commission – three staff working papers released

The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling issued a news release stating that three more staff working papers are being released. These papers informed the Commission and its Final Report. (2/24/11).

FMC – advance copy of NVOCC negotiated rate arrangements rule

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) posted an advance copy of its final rule exempting licensed non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) that enter into negotiated rate arrangements from the tariff rate publication requirements of the Shipping act of 1984 and certain provisions and requirements of the Commission’s regulations. The final rule will come into effect 45 days from publication in the Federal Register. (2/25/11).

Massachusetts – RFI re OCS wind energy development

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) issued a news release stating that it is extending for 30 days the period within which to submit comments on the Request for Interest (RFI) relating to offshore Massachusetts in future wind energy development on the outer continental shelf (OCS). Comments were originally due by February 28. (2/24/11). Note: This item was brought to my attention by my good friend Kevin Pearce of NRG Bluewater Wind.

North Atlantic – coordinated assistance for disabled freighter

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it is responding to a freighter in the North Atlantic off Cape Cod that lost power and communications after suffering a fire on the bridge. The ship activated its EPIRB following the incident. The Coast Guard received the EPIRB signal and, when it was unable to establish radio contact, launched a helicopter. The helicopter lowered a handheld radio to the crew and learned the nature of the problem. A USCG cutter has been diverted and a commercial tug is en route. (2/26/11). Note: This incident provides a good example of modern response to a casualty. There was no search. The multi-platform response was coordinated through RCC Boston.

Gulf of Mexico – bulker disabled, taken under tow

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that a bulk carrier suffered an engine failure in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 42 miles southeast of the Dry Tortugas. A Coast Guard cutter was diverted to the scene and a commercial tug has taken the vessel under tow. The vessel is en route Mariel, Cuba. The tug will release the tow prior to entering the Cuban territorial sea. (2/25/11).

DOI – marine well containment systems

The Department of the Interior (DOI) issued a news release stating that Secretary Ken Salazar and other officials were in Houston on February 25 to observe marine well containment systems being developed by the Marine Well Containment Company (MWCC). (2/25/11).

DOI – National Invasive Species Awareness Week 2011

The Department of the Interior (DOI) issued a news release stating that it will host meetings in Washington, DC with state, federal, tribal, and local officials, along with representatives of the private sector and environmental groups during National Invasive Species Awareness Week 2011 (February 28-March 4). The meetings will consider, among other things, the Asian carp and the zebra mussel. (2/25/11).

CBP – Trade Symposium sold out, webcast participation available

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a news release stating that its Trade Symposium, to be held on April 13-14 in Washington, DC has sold out, but that interested parties have participate via webcast. (2/25/11).

Indian Ocean – injured seaman medically evacuated

The EU NAVFOR issued a press release stating that one of its warships on counter-piracy patrol in the Indian Ocean medically evacuated a crewmember injured in an incident on a merchant vessel. The seaman will be transferred to a hospital ashore for further treatment. (2/25/11).

New Zealand – Christchurch customs office reopens

The New Zealand Customs Service issued a media release stating that Christchurch Client Services has reopened and is fully operational. (2/25/11).

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