Friday, April 22, 2011

Bryant’s Maritime Blog–22 April 2011

Headlines: DOJ – Somali citizen arrested for serving as hostage negotiator; Indian Ocean – bulk carrier hijacked by pirates; EU NAVFOR – suspected pirates released; Gulf of Mexico – Framework for Early Restoration; TSA – reporting of security issues; BOEMRE – Cape Wind EA; Senate – bill introduced to restore Gulf coast ecosystems; Senate – bill introduced re Gulf restoration planning; IMO – Korea to assist re air emissions from ships; Australia – Transport Safety Report; Suez Canal – heavy lift/semi-submersible vessels; and Earth Day – April 22, 2011.

April 22, 2011

Bryant’s Maritime Blog clip_image002
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).

DOJ – Somali citizen arrested for serving as hostage negotiator

clip_image004 The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a news release stating that Ali Mohamed Ali, a Somali citizen, has been arrested and indicted for conspiracy to commit piracy and other charges. He allegedly acted as a hostage negotiator following the hijacking by Somali pirates of the MV CEC Future in November 2008. (4/21/11).

Indian Ocean – bulk carrier hijacked by pirates

clip_image006 The EU NAVFOR issued a press release stating that the bulk carrier Rosalia D’Amato was hijacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean approximately 350 nautical miles southeast of Salalah, Oman. The condition of the 21 crew members is unknown. (4/21/11).

EU NAVFOR – suspected pirates released

clip_image008 The EU NAVFOR issued a press release stating that 18 suspected pirates have been released after attempts to prosecute them proved unsuccessful. The suspects have been detained on a warship since April 6, when they were detained for allegedly attacking a merchant vessel. (4/21/11). Note: At least this was simple ‘catch and release’. The military authorities tried to transfer the suspects to civil authorities, who did not want them. Apprehension of the suspected pirates is addressed in an earlier press release.

Gulf of Mexico – Framework for Early Restoration

clip_image010 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a news release stating that the Natural Resource Trustees for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and BP have agreed on a Framework for Early Restoration for initial restoration projects in the Gulf of Mexico to address injuries to natural resources caused by the spill. BP will provide $1 billion to fund these initial projects, which will be selected through a public process. (4/21/11).

TSA – reporting of security issues

clip_image012 The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a final rule establishing procedures by which any person will receive a receipt for reporting a problem, deficiency, or vulnerability related to transportation security, including maritime security. The rule comes into effect on May 23. 76 Fed. Reg. 22625 (April 22, 2011).

BOEMRE – Cape Wind EA

clip_image014 The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) issued a notice stating that it is making available the Environmental Assessment (EA), the Finding of No New Significant Impact (FONNSI), and Record of Decision (ROD) with regard to the Cape Wind Energy Project to be located in Nantucket Sound off the coast of Massachusetts. 76 Fed. Reg. 22719 (April 22, 2011).

Senate – bill introduced to restore Gulf coast ecosystems

clip_image016 Senator Landrieu (D-LA) introduced the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Operations, and Revived Economies for the Gulf Coast States Act of 2011 (S. 861) to restore the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine habitats, and coastal wetland of Gulf Coast States, to create jobs and revive the economic health of communities adversely affected by the explosion on, and sinking of, the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon, and for other purposes. (4/14/11).

Senate – bill introduced re Gulf restoration planning

clip_image016[1] Senator Nelson (D-FL) introduced the Comprehensive Gulf of Mexico Recovery, Restoration, and Resiliency Act (S. 862) to provide for a comprehensive Gulf of Mexico restoration plan, and for other purposes. (4/14/11).

IMO – Korea to assist re air emissions from ships

clip_image018 clip_image020

The IMO issued a news release stating that it and the Korea International Co-operation Agency (KOICA) signed a Co-operation Agreement through which KOICA will make available $700,000 to fund IMO activities in developing countries of East Asia to enhance their capabilities to develop and implement, at the national level, appropriate action to CO2 emissions from shipping while promoting sustainable development. (4/21/11).

Australia – Transport Safety Report

clip_image022 The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) posted its Transport Safety Report for 2009-2010. In the marine portion of the report, it was noted that underlying causes of accidents often involved safety management systems (SMSs) that were inadequate or under-utilized and/or involved crewmember fatigue. (4/21/11).

Suez Canal – heavy lift/semi-submersible vessels

clip_image024 The Suez Canal Authority announced that, effective May 1, heavy lift and semi-submersible vessels carrying large units, one of which is 250 metric tons or more, will be treated as heavy lift (to pay a surcharge 50% of normal transit dues), while those carrying floating units, one of which is 300 SC tons or more, will be treated as a semi-submersible vessel (to pay a surcharge 125% of normal transit dues) in addition to the surcharge of an escort tug boat. (4/21/11).

Earth Day – April 22, 2011

clip_image026 Today marks the forty-first anniversary of the recognition of Earth Day, intended to increase our awareness of the complexity and interdependence of life. A lot has changed in those 41 years. There have been a number of ecological success stories, such as the increase in the number of bald eagles. Other species, such as the North Atlantic right whale, remain at risk. Do your part today.

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

http://brymar-consulting.com

© Dennis L. Bryant – April 2011

clip_image028 Redistribution permitted with attribution

No comments:

Post a Comment