Bryant’s Maritime Blog–25 April 2011

Headlines: RMI – comments on USCG ROI; San Francisco Bay – maritime security exercise; USCG – allision in Clatskanie, Oregon; FMC injunction against unlicensed freight forwarder; DOT – loan guarantee for vessel construction; House – bill introduced to modernize oil spill response; and Ireland – seismic survey.

April 25, 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. “Honesty is the best policy, but insanity is a better defense.” (Steve Landesburg).

RMI – comment on USCG ROI

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime Administrator issued a Comment on the one-year anniversary of the tragic events surrounding the sinking of the MODU Deepwater Horizon, the loss of eleven lives, and the resulting oil spill. It also noted that the recently-released US Coast Guard Report of Investigation (ROI) is both preliminary and incomplete. (4/22/11). Note: The USCG ROI criticizes the RMI, as the flag administration, for delegating certain vessel inspection duties to approved classification societies. That criticism is curious for three reasons. First, the delegation was done in accordance with IMO directives. Second, the US Coast Guard (as well as most other flag administrations worldwide) also delegates certain vessel inspection duties to classification societies. Third, even the use of in-house inspectors is no guarantee that every deficiency will come to light.

San Francisco Bay – maritime security exercise

The US Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on certain waters of San Francisco Bay from 5:50 a.m. until 12:10 p.m., on Thursday, April 28, in support of the Bay Ferry II Maritime Security Exercise, to be held at General Anchorage 5. Mariners should give this exercise a wide berth. 76 Fed. Reg. 22809 (April 25, 2011).

USCG – allision in Clatskanie, Oregon

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that a cargo vessel struck a pier and two barges at the port of Clatskanie, Oregon after losing power. No injuries or pollution has been reported. The incident is under investigation. (4/22/11).

FMC – injunction against unlicensed freight forwarder

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a news release stating that, at its request, a federal district court issued a preliminary injunction barring Indigo Logistics, LLC, located in Savannah and Atlanta, from violating the Shipping Act of 1984 by acting as an ocean freight forwarder without a FMC-issued license or proof of financial responsibility. (4/22/11).

DOT – loan guarantee for vessel construction

The Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a news release stating that Maritime Administrator David Matsuda signed a $241 million loan guarantee regarding a contract for the Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Florida to build five platform supply vessels (PSVs) for export to Brazil. (4/22/11).

House – bill introduced to modernize oil spill response

Representative Young (R-FL) introduced the Secure All Facilities to Effectively Guard the United States Against and Respond to Dangerous Spills Act of 2011 (SAFEGUARDS Act of 2011) (H.R. 1664) to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to modernize and enhance the Federal Government's response to oil spills, to improve oversight and regulation of offshore drilling, and for other purposes. (4/15/11).

Ireland – seismic survey

The Irish Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport issued a notice stating that a seismic survey will be conducted in waters off the west coast of Ireland commencing on about April 28 and extending for approximately three weeks. Mariners should give the survey vessel and its towed array a wide berth. Marine Notice 24-2011 (4/21/11).

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 – April 2011

Redistribution permitted with attribution