Headlines: Shipping Coordinating Committee – meeting; USCG – hiring supervisory marine facility inspector; National Commission – final two staff working papers; EPA – management practices for recreational vessels; BOEMRE – industry workshop on plan processing; USCG – merchant vessel to receive award for rescue; House – bill introduced re GL-MR hydrological separation; India – pirate hostages and prosecutions; Panama Canal – February operations summary; Somali Basin – pirate action group disrupted; and Suez Canal – transit dues unchanged.
March 8, 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. Planck’s Constant isn’t.
Shipping Coordinating Committee – meeting
The Shipping Coordinating Committee, sponsored by the US Department of State, will meet in Washington, DC on March 28. The purpose of the meeting is to prepare for the 98th session of the IMO Legal Committee. Topics on the agenda include: financial security in cases of abandonment, personal injury to, or death of seafarers; fair treatment of seafarers in the event of a maritime accident; and review of national legislation regarding piracy. 76 Fed. Reg. 12787 (March 8, 2011).
USCG – hiring supervisory marine facility inspector
The US Coast Guard posted a hiring announcement stating that it is seeking qualified Status Candidates applicants for the position of Supervisory Marine Facility Inspector (GS-1801-13) in the Houston Metro area. A second hiring announcement for the same position provides application for all US citizens, without regard to whether they are current federal employees, veterans, etc. Applications must be received by March 16. (3/3/11).
National Commission – final two staff working papers
The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil
Spill and Offshore Drilling issued a news release stating that it posted the final two staff working papers, used to inform the Commission’s work. The papers discuss liability and compensation under the Oil Pollution Act and the need for continuous improvement for safe offshore operations. (3/7/11).
EPA – management practices for recreational vessels
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a news release stating that it is seeking comments from boaters and other stakeholders to help develop proposed regulations to reduce water pollution and the spread of invasive species. Listening sessions will be held in Annapolis on March 18 and April 29. (3/7/11).
BOEMRE – industry workshop on plan processing
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) issued a news release stating that, on March 25, it will hold an industry workshop in New Orleans to discuss standards and requirements for exploration and development plans, with emphasis on the new safety requirements that have been implemented over the past six months. The goal is to facilitate the ability of applicants for offshore drilling permits to meet the new requirements in their plan submissions. (3/7/11).
USCG – merchant ship to receive award for rescue
The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that a certificate of appreciation and an AMVER ship’s pennant will be presented to the Delta Kanaris for its rescue of four French sailors whose sailboat sank in the North Atlantic 1,582 miles east of San Juan. (3/7/11).
House – bill introduced re GL-MR hydrological separation
Representative Camp (R-MI) introduced the Stop Asian Carp Act (H.R. 892) to require the Secretary of the Army to study the feasibility of the hydrological separation of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins. (3/3/11).
India – pirate hostages and prosecutions
The Indian Ministry of Shipping issued a press release stating that, as of March 2, Somali pirates have taken 26 Indian mariners hostage (on board two hijacked ships) during 2011. During the same time, Indian authorities have apprehended 52 suspected pirates, who are being prosecuted in Mumbai. (3/7/11).
Panama Canal – February operations summary
The Panama Canal Authority issued an advisory summarizing operations during February. In addition, it includes the schedule of locks maintenance work for the remainder of the fiscal year. Advisory 4-2011 (3/4/11).
Somali Basin – pirate action group disrupted
The EU NAVFOR issued a press release stating that one of its warships and one of its patrol aircraft disrupted a suspected pirate action group off the coast of Somalia. A merchant vessel had reported being chased by a pirate skiff about 350 nautical miles south of Mogadishu. The patrol aircraft identified a suspected pirate whaler-type vessel in the vicinity. The three individuals on board were observed throwing things over the side. When a boarding team from the warship arrived, no pirate paraphernalia was found, but much excess gasoline was being carried in drums. Most of the excess gas was seized, leaving the individuals enough food, water, and fuel to get safely ashore. (3/7/11).
Suez Canal – transit dues unchanged
The Suez Canal Authority issued a news release stating that transit dues for 2011 will remain unchanged from the rates of 2010 for all types of ships. (3/3/11).
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 – March 2011
Redistribution permitted with attribution
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