Headlines: BOEMRE – offshore wind site characterization activities; Massachusetts – meeting re offshore wind development process; MARAD – hearings cancelled re Liberty Natural Gas DWP; DHS OIS – review of USCG polar icebreaking program; USCG – Port Security Grant Program guidance; USCG – State of the Coast Guard Address; House – bill introduced re offshore whistleblower protections; Arabian Sea – tanker hijacked by pirates; UK – SAR helicopter procurement irregularities; and UK – yacht operators sentenced for unsafe activities.
February 9, 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.
BOEMRE – offshore wind site characterization activities
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) issued a notice stating that it has identified specific Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) offshore New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia suitable for consideration for wind energy development. It is seeking comment related to siting, leasing, and site assessment for these WEAs. Comments should be submitted by March 11. 76 Fed. Reg. 7226 (February 9, 2011). BOEMRE issued a news release providing further details.
Massachusetts – meetings re offshore wind development process
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) issued a press release stating that it will host federal officials for public meetings on the offshore wind development process in New Bedford (February 16) and Martha’s Vineyard (February 17). (2/4/11).
MARAD – hearings cancelled re Liberty Natural Gas DWP
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued a news release stating that the public hearings for the Liberty Natural Gas Deepwater Port facility have been cancelled. The Governor of New Jersey has disapproved the project. (2/8/11).
DHS OIG – review of USCG polar icebreaking program
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued the report of its examination of the US Coast Guard polar icebreaker maintenance, upgrade, and acquisition program. The report concludes that the Coast Guard does not have the necessary budgetary control over its icebreakers, nor does it have a sufficient number of icebreakers to accomplish its missions in the polar regions. Unless changes are made, the Coast Guard will not have the capability to perform its polar missions, will lose critical icebreaking expertise, and may be beholden to foreign nations to perform its statutory missions. OIG-11-31 (2/8/11). Note: Congress is primarily to blame for this state of affairs. It transferred funding control over icebreakers from the Coast Guard to the National Science Foundation.
USCG – Port Security Grant Program guidance
The US Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville issued Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) guidance advising that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently announced a change to the application process for preparedness grants, including the PSGP. Commencing with the FY 2011 funding cycle, each Fiduciary Agent (FA) must include the port stakeholder’s Investment Justification (IJ) along with the FA’s application for the FY 2011 award. The Sector Jacksonville guidance recommends that port stakeholders interested in obtaining FY 2011 PSGP funding submit project descriptions and estimated costs to the FA by March 1, as the window for submittal of the application to FEMA may be very small. PSIB 02-11 (1/28/11). Note: This item was brought to my attention by my good friend John Bennett of Maritime Protective Services.
USCG – State of the Coast Guard Address
The US Coast Guard issued a message stating that Admiral Bob Papp will deliver the State of the Coast Guard Address on February 10. The Address will be available via webcast. ALCOAST 037/11 (2/7/11).
House – bill introduced re offshore whistleblower protections
Representative Miller (D-CA) introduced the Offshore Oil and Gas Worker Whistleblower Protection Act of 2011 (H.R. 503) to provide whistleblower protections to certain workers in the offshore oil and gas industry. (1/26/11).
Arabian Sea – tanker hijacked by pirates
The EU NAVFOR issued a press release stating that the crude oil tanker Irene SL was hijacked by pirates in the North Arabian Sea approximately 350 nautical miles southeast of Muscat. The condition of the crew of 25 is unknown. (2/9/11).
UK – SAR helicopter procurement irregularities
The UK Secretary of State for Transport, Philip Hammond, issued a statement advising that irregularities relating to the competition for procurement of search and rescue (SAR) helicopter services have come to light. As a result, the current procurement process will not proceed and alternatives are being considered. (2/8/11).
UK – yacht operators sentenced for unsafe activities
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a press notice stating that two commercial yacht operators pleaded guilty to using unsafe commercial yachts on trans-Atlantic voyages while carrying students for yacht training courses. In the first case, where the yacht was operated without a qualified yachtmaster and without required lifesaving equipment, the operator was sentenced to a fine of £16,000 including costs. In the second case, where the yacht was operated without a qualified yachtmaster and without required stability testing, the operator was sentenced to a fine of £17,549. (2/8/11).
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
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