Headlines: NTSB – report on ferry/USCG cutter collision; North Atlantic – EPIRB and AMVER combine to rescue sailor; CBP – arrests for illegal entry using dive scooters; FMC – NOI re impact of slow steaming; House – bill introduced re recovery of Gulf States; House – bill introduced to implement National Commission recommendations; IMO – piracy situation “completely unacceptable”; Gulf of Oman – US Navy disrupts pirate attack, destroys skiffs; and North Sea – FPSO experiencing heavy weather.
February 7, 2011
Bryant’s Maritime Blog 
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. Remembering the future.
NTSB – report on ferry/USCG cutter collision
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued the report of its investigation into the collision between a US passenger ferry and a US Coast Guard cutter in Block Island Sound on July 2, 2008. Fog in the area limited visibility to about 500 yards. The report concludes that the bridge watch officers on both vessels failed to monitor their radars, sufficiently assess traffic, and compensate for limited visibility. They also failed to maintain a proper lookout and to sound appropriate fog signals. Among other things, the report recommends that all US ferries be required to install voyage data recorders and to implement safety management systems. MAR-11/01 (2/4/11).
North Atlantic – EPIRB and AMVER combine to rescue sailor
The US Coast Guard issued a multimedia release stating that a French sailor whose sailboat was disabled by heavy weather in the North Atlantic 1,400 miles east of San Juan was rescued through the coordination of Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) technology and the Automated Mutual-assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) program. As the sailboat began to sink, the French national entered his liferaft and activated his EPIRB. Because the EPIRB had been properly registered, the US Coast Guard, when it received the signal, knew exactly who was in distress and where to look. Checking its AMVER database, it identified a merchant vessel in the immediate area. The vessel was contacted, diverted to the scene, and quickly rescued the sailor. (2/4/11).
CBP – arrests for illegal entry using dive scooters
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a news release stating that it arrested two foreign nationals in Imperial Beach, California after they illegally entered the United States wearing wetsuits and using dive scooters. (2/3/11). Note: Was not this the approach used by James Bond (Sean Connery) with Ursula Andress in “Dr. No”?
FMC – NOI re impact of slow steaming
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) stating that it is soliciting public comment on the impact of slow steaming on US ocean liner commerce. It is particularly interested in whether the practice of slow steaming has (1) impacted ocean liner carrier operations and shippers’ international supply chains; (2) affected the cost and/or price of ocean liner service; and (2it is soliciting public comment on the impact of slow steaming on US ocean liner commerce. It is particularly interested in whether the practice of slow steaming has (1) impacted ocean liner carrier operations and shippers’ international supply chains; (2) affected the cost and/or price of ocean liner service; and (3) mitigated greenhouse gas emissions. Comments should be submitted by April 5. 76 Fed. Reg. 6616 (February 7, 2011).
House – bill introduced re recovery of Gulf States
Representative Castor (D-FL) introduced the Gulf of Mexico Economic and Environmental Restoration Act of 2011 (H.R. 480) to establish programs to aid in the economic, environmental, and public health recovery of the Gulf States from the damage and harm caused by the blowout of the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon and the resulting degradation of the Gulf over time, and for other purposes. (1/26/11).
House – bill introduced to implement National Commission recommendations
Representative Markey (D-MA) introduced the Implementing the Recommendations of the BP Oil Spill Commission Act of 2011 (H.R. 501) to provide for the implementation of the recommendations of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, and for other purposes. (1/26/11). Note: Among other things, this bill, if enacted into law, would make extensive changes to OPA 90.
IMO – piracy situation “completely unacceptable”
The IMO issued a news release stating that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, IMO Secretary-General Efthimios Mitropoulos, World Food Program (WFP) Executive Director Josette Sheeran, United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Executive Director Yury Fedotov, BIMCO President Robert Lorenz-Meyer, and International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) General Secretary David Cockroft met in London to launch the IMO’s action plan against piracy and the World Maritime Day 2011 – “Piracy: orchestrating the response”. The escalating problem of piracy off the coast of Somalia was labeled “completely unacceptable” and requires an urgent and coordinated response. (2/4/11).
Gulf of Oman – US Navy disrupts pirate attack, destroys skiffs
The US Navy issued a news release stating that two of its warships on patrol in the Gulf of Oman disrupted a pirate attack on a merchant vessel. On receiving the distress call from the merchant vessel, the warships responded. Two pirate skiffs were observed alongside the merchant vessel with ladders against the hull. Upon arrival of the military forces, the skiffs fled the area. The skiffs were tracked to a mothership. Consistent with applicable UN SC resolutions and rules of engagement, the two skiffs were destroyed. (2/4/11).
North Sea – FPSO experiencing heavy weather
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a press notice stating that a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel in the North Sea approximately 175 miles northeast of Aberdeen is experiencing heavy weather. It recorded a 12 degree roll in 53 knot winds and nine meter seas. Several anchor mooring positions have given way. The vessel’s thrusters are in operation and it is attempting to maintain position. The 114 people on board have been mustered to their emergency positions. The company’s emergency shoreside team is coordinating support services. Rescue services have been placed on standby. Three tugs are en route. (2/4/11).
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
© Dennis L. Bryant – February 2011
Redistribution permitted with attribution
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