Bryant’s Maritime Blog–2 March 2011

Headlines: Indian Ocean – Danish yacht hijacked by pirates; IMO – anti-piracy meeting; FMC – NVOCC negotiated rate arrangements; PHMSA – enhanced enforcement authority procedures; NOAA – scoping meetings re Deepwater Horizon oil spill restoration; USCG – members sought for NOSAC; Chicago River – temporary safety zone; MARAD – Second Annual Port Summit; DOJ – antiques dealer sentenced; USCG – mariner credentialing report; House – hearing on USCG, FMC & MARAD budget requests; Australia – AMSA Aboard newsletter; and Southern Ocean – search for missing sail boat suspended.

March 2, 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. Planck’s Constant isn’t.

Indian Ocean – Danish yacht hijacked by Somali pirates

The Government of Denmark issued a press release stating that Somali pirates operating in the Indian Ocean hijacked a yacht with seven Danish citizens on board. On board the yacht were four adults and three children, aged 13, 15, and 17. A Danish warship is headed for the area. (3/1/11).

IMO – anti-piracy meeting

The IMO issued a news release stating that it hosted a meeting of representatives from nations participating in anti-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia and representatives from the shipping industry. The purpose of the meeting was to promote greater levels of support from, and coordination with, the navies engaging in such patrols. The representatives agreed that there are currently insufficient naval resources to provide the required level of protection throughout the Indian Ocean. They also agreed that ships transiting those waters should comply with the recommended best management practices guidance and measures and that the navies should continue their efforts to support, deter, intervene, arrest, and forward pirates to be tried. (3/1/11).

FMC – NVOCC negotiated rate arrangements

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) promulgated 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 on April 18. 76 Fed. Reg. 11351 (March 2, 2011).

PHMSA – enhanced enforcement authority procedures

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) promulgated a final rule implementing enhanced inspection, investigation, and enforcement authority, allowing for issuance of emergency orders to address unsafe conditions or practices posing imminent hazard and other emergency measures. The US Coast Guard may utilize these procedures when enforcing regulations relating to shipment of hazardous material by water. The final rule comes into effect on May 2. 76 Fed. Reg. 11569 (March 2, 2011).

NOAA – scoping meetings re Deepwater Horizon oil spill restoration

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a notice stating that it will host scoping meetings to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to commence restoration planning for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Scoping meetings will be held in Pensacola (March 16); Panama City (March 17); Biloxi (March 21); Belle Chase (March 22); Spanish Fort (March 23); Houma (March 24); Grand Isle (March 28); Morgan City (March 29); Port Arthur (March 30); Galveston (March 31); and Washington, DC (April 4). 76 Fed. Reg. 11426 (March 2, 2011).

USCG – members sought for NOSAC

The US Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC). Applications should be submitted by April 18. 76 Fed. Reg. 11503 (March 2, 2011).

Chicago River – temporary safety zone

The US Coast Guard promulgated a temporary rule establishing a safety zone on a portion of the North Branch of the Chicago River due to soil sampling in this area. The safety zone will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. local time on March 1, 2, and 3. 76 Fed. Reg. 11334 (March 2, 2011).

MARAD – Second Annual Port Summit

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) will host its Second Annual Port Summit, to be held in Chicago on April 21. The keynote speaker will be Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. (3/1/11).

DOJ – antiques dealer sentenced

The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a news release stating that an antiques dealer has been sentenced to 33 months in prison for illegally importing and trafficking in narwhale tusks and sperm whale teeth. Narwhales are considered to be threatened species and sperm whales are considered to be endangered species. (3/1/11).

USCG – mariner credentialing report

The US Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) posted its Performance Report for February 2011. The report indicates that the inventory of merchant mariner credential applications increased during the month, but that net processing time remained relatively steady at 22.92 days. (3/1/11).

House – hearing on USCG, FMC & MARAD budget requests

The Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure conducted an oversight hearing on the Coast Guard, Federal Maritime Commission, and Maritime Administration Budget Requests. Subcommittee Chair Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) discussed the need for agencies to do more with less funding. He expressed particular concern regarding the USCG capital acquisition and polar mission plans, the length of time MARAD takes to process applications for Title XI loan guarantees, and the FMC’s request for a funding increase. Admiral Robert Papp, Commandant, USCG, explained the Coast Guard’s budget request. Mr. Richard Lidinsky, Chairman, Federal Maritime Commission, explained the FMC budget request. Mr. David Matsuda, Administrator, Maritime Administration, explained the MARAD budget request. (3/1/11).

Australia – AMSA Aboard newsletter

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) published the Summer 2011 edition of its periodic newsletter AMSA Aboard. This edition addresses, among other things, plans to simplify the current maritime regulatory regime in Australia by making AMSA the national regulator of commercial vessel safety by 2013. (3/1/11).

Southern Ocean – search for missing sail boat suspended

Maritime New Zealand issued a media release stating that the week-long search for the sailing vessel Berserk and its crew of three in the Southern Ocean has been suspended. The vessel had landed two adventurers on the Antarctic coast and was in the Ross Sea when it got caught in a storm and activated its distress signal. The radio signal soon ended and, despite an extensive search, no trace of the vessel or its occupants has been found. (3/1/11).

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 – March 2011

Redistribution permitted with attribution