Bryant’s Maritime Blog–24 March 2011

 

Headlines: Joint Investigation – report on Deepwater Horizon BOP; DOS – Mr. Jeffrey Lantz nominated for IMO Secretary General; USCG – establishment of MERPAC; Ocean Research & Resources Advisory Panel – meeting; and Exxon Valdez oil spill – March 24, 1989.

March 24, 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.

Joint Investigation – report on Deepwater Horizon BOP

The USCG-BOEMRE Joint Investigation into circumstances surrounding the explosion and fire on the MODU Deepwater Horizon released the report regarding the blowout preventer (BOP) used on the exploratory well (in two volumes, accessible here). It also issued a news release stating that the seventh public session of the Investigation will be held in Metairie, Louisiana starting on April 4. (3/23/11).

DOS – Mr. Jeffrey Lantz nominated for IMO Secretary General

The Department of State (DOS) issued a media release stating that it has nominated Mr. Jeffrey Lantz of the US Coast Guard for the position of Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). (3/22/11). Note: I do not know the other candidates, but I know Mr. Lantz and can unreservedly say that he is highly qualified for this position.

USCG – establishment of MERPAC

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined the establishment of the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) is necessary and in the public interest. The nineteen members should represent merchant marine officers, unlicensed personnel, marine pilots, marine educators, and the general public. Comments on this issue should be submitted by April 22. 76 Fed. Reg. 16434 (March 23, 2011).

Ocean Research and Resources Advisory Panel – meeting

The Ocean Research and Resources Advisory Panel, sponsored by the Department of the Navy, will meet in Washington, DC on April 25-26. 76 Fed. Reg. 16391 (March 23, 2011).

EXXON VALDEZ oil spill – March 24, 1989

On March 24, 1989, the single-hull tanker EXXON VALDEZ was departing the Port of Valdez, Alaska will a full load of North Slope crude oil (approximately 1.26 million barrels) destined for Long Beach when it grounded on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound. The resulting oil spill (approximately 258,000 barrels), while not the largest in US history, was clearly the most important. It engendered much litigation. Public concern over the spill led directly to enactment of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), which mandated double hulls for new tankers, response plans, and a number of other remedial measures. OPA 90 also significantly changed the liability and compensation scheme for oil spills in US waters. The amount of oil entering waters of the United States from ships drastically decreased following implementation of OPA 90. As a personal note, I was directly involved in development and promulgation of regulations implementing OPA 90 for the US Coast Guard. A lot has changed in the succeeding 22 years, most significantly the commitment of the maritime industry to prevent oil pollution from ships. One can only hope that oil discharges from point sources and non-point sources ashore demonstrate similar reductions.

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