Headlines: UN – Security Council Resolution; Indian Ocean – warship frees hostages, detains suspected pirates; IMO – summary of Legal Committee session; US – guidance re economic sanctions against Sudan; DOJ – companies plead guilty to 30 violations; FCC – manufacture, sale, or use of GPS jammers illegal; Hudson River – anchorage regulations; EPA – correction re emissions from marine diesel engines; and CBP – quarterly interest rates.
April 13, 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. “Honesty is the best policy, but insanity is a better defense.” (Steve Landesburg).
UN – Security Council Resolution
The United Nations Security Council resolution on the situation in Somalia has been posted. In addition to considering the establishment of specialized Somali courts to try suspected pirates both in Somalia and in the region, it urges all States to criminalize piracy under their domestic law and calls on States to favorably consider the prosecution of suspected, and imprisonment of convicted, pirates apprehended off the coast of Somalia, consistent with applicable international human rights laws. Resolution 1976 (2011) (4/11/11).
Indian Ocean – warship frees hostages, detains suspected pirates
The Government of Denmark issued a news release stating that one of its warships engaged in a bloody firefight as it stopped and boarded a large pirate mothership off the Somali coast. Of the 15 suspected pirates who have been detained, three were wounded after opening fire on the warship. Eighteen hostages were freed during the operation. (4/11/11).
IMO – summary of Legal Committee session
The IMO issued a news release summarizing results of the recent session of the Legal Committee (LEG 98), held in London on 4-8 April. Among other things, it prepared a draft Assembly resolution aimed at promoting compliance with the 2006 IMO/ILO guidelines on fair treatment of seafarers in the event of a maritime accident. It also continued work on legal issues concerning the repression of piracy and armed robbery against ships. (4/12/11).
US – guidance re economic sanctions against Sudan
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Guidance regarding the application of the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations (SSR) to the new State to be formed by the secession of Southern Sudan. The new State is expected to be formed on July 9, 2011. Once the new State is formed, the SSR will apply only to the future, smaller Sudan and its government and not to the new State. (4/12/11).
DOJ – companies plead guilty to 30 violations
The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a news release stating that a shipping company conglomerate pleaded guilty in federal court to thirty counts of violations of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (PWSA), and obstruction of justice. The defendants have agreed to pay a penalty of $1 million and to be banned from doing business in the United States for the next five years. The offenses involve deliberate pollution and failure to report known hazardous conditions, among other things. (4/12/11).
FCC – manufacture, sale, or use of GPS jammers illegal
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently issued Enforcement Advisories reminding retailers that that it is a federal violation to manufacture, market, or sell devices intended to block, jam, or interfere with authorized radio communications (such as GPS signals) and reminding the public that it is a federal violation to use devices intended to block, jam, or interfere with these communications and signals. (2/9/11).
Hudson River – anchorage regulations
The US Coast Guard is revising Anchorage Ground No. 19 located east of the Weehawken-Edgewater Federal Channel on the Hudson River. The revision comes into effect on May 13. 76 Fed. Reg. 20524 (April 13, 2011).
EPA – correction re emissions from marine diesel engines
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a correction to its regulations regarding control of emissions from new and in-use marine compression-ignition engines and vessels. The correction relates to the definition of “new vessel”. 76 Fed. Reg. 20383 (April 13, 2011).
CBP – quarterly interest rates
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a notice stating that, for the calendar quarter beginning April 1, the interest rates for overpayments will be 3% for corporations and 4% for non-corporations, and the interest rate for underpayments will be 4% for both corporations and non-corporations. 76 Fed. Reg. 20697 (April 13, 2011).
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 – April 2011
Redistribution permitted with attribution
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