Monday, April 4, 2011

Bryant’s Maritime Blog–4 April 2011

Headlines: OFAC – advisory re fraudulent shipping documents; EPA – VGP newsletter; DOI – offshore drilling blowout containment forum; House – bill introduced re tonnage tax; House – bill introduced re evidence of WWII merchant marine service; House – bill introduced to improve national transportation system; IMO – candidates nominated for Secretary-General; Hong Kong – marine works; Ireland – passenger vessel SAR cooperation plans; Japan – international seaports operating normally; New Zealand – radiation only at trace levels; Seychelles – suspected pirates transferred for prosecution; and UK – Safety Digest.

April 4, 2011

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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).

OFAC – advisory re fraudulent shipping documents

clip_image004 The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued an Advisory alerting shippers, importers/exporters, and freight forwarders to practices being used by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and companies acting on its behalf to evade US and international economic sanctions. These practices include: (1) using container prefixes registered to another carrier; (2) omitting or listing invalid, incomplete, or false container prefixes; and (3) naming non-existent ocean vessels in shipping documents. (3/31/11).

EPA – VGP newsletter

clip_image006 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the Spring 2011 edition of its NPDES Vessels Program Quarterly. This edition addresses, among other things, submittal of one-time reports and issuance of the next draft VGP. (4/1/11).

DOI – offshore drilling blowout containment forum

clip_image008 The Department of the Interior (DOI) issued a news release stating that Secretary Ken Salazar is convening a ministerial forum on offshore drilling blowout containment in Washington, DC on April 14. He is inviting ministers and senior government officials from nations engaged in offshore oil and gas extraction to discuss development of cutting-edge technologies for containing potential deepwater blowouts on the outer continental shelf (OCS). (4/1/11).

House – bill introduced re tonnage tax

clip_image010 Representative Herger (R-CA) introduced a bill (H.R. 1267) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the application of the tonnage tax on certain vessels. (3/30/11).

House – bill introduced re evidence of WWII merchant marine service

clip_image010[1] Representative Butterfield (D-NC) introduced a bill (H.R. 1288) to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to accept additional documentation when considering the application for veterans status of an individual who performed service in the merchant marines during World War II, and for other purposes. Official text of the bill has not yet been posted. (3/31/11).

House – bill introduced to improve national transportation system

clip_image010[2] Representative Sires (D-NJ) introduced a bill (H.R. 1338) to improve the efficiency, operation, and security of the national transportation system to move freight by leveraging investments and promoting partnerships that advance interstate and foreign commerce, and for other purposes. (4/1/11).

IMO – candidates nominated for Secretary-General

clip_image012 The IMO issued a news release stating that six candidates have been nominated by their Governments for the position of Secretary-General. The candidates (in alphabetical order) are: Lee Sik Chai (Republic of Korea); Andreas Chrysostomou (Cyprus); Neil Frank Ferrer (Philippines); Jeffrey Lantz (USA); Esteban Pacha Vicente (Spain); and Koji Sekimizu (Japan). Election for the post will be held at the IMO Council session (27 June-1 July) and submitted for approval by the IMO Assembly (21-30 November). Secretary-General Efthimios Mitropoulos ends his second four-year term on 31 December. (4/1/11).

Hong Kong – marine works

clip_image014 The Hong Kong Marine Department issued a notice stating that, with immediate effect and for a period of approximately six months, marine works involving dredging, laying of water pipeline, and backfilling will be carried out in waters off the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Mariners in the vicinity should exercise caution. Marine Notice 30-2011 (3/31/11).

Ireland – passenger vessel SAR cooperation plans

clip_image016 The Irish Department of Transport issued a notice reminding that passenger ships on international voyages are obligated to have on board a plan for cooperation with appropriate search and rescue (SAR) services in the event of an emergency. The plan should be developed based on guidelines found in the SOLAS Convention. Marine Notice 18-2011 (4/1/11).

Japan – international seaports operating normally

clip_image018 The IMO issued a news release stating that Japanese authorities confirm that all international seaports not damaged by the earthquake and tsunami are operating normally and that no health risk has been detected around the ports. (4/1/11).

New Zealand – radiation only at trace levels

clip_image020 The New Zealand Customs Service issued a media release stating that it is working closely with other agencies to ensure any risk of radiation as it relates to imports from Japan is accurately assessed and effectively managed. Currently, any radioactive material that might be present will only be at trace levels presenting no hazard to health. (4/1/11).

Seychelles – suspected pirates transferred for prosecution

clip_image022 The EU NAVFOR issued a press release stating that it has transfer custody of eleven suspected pirates to Seychelles legal authorities for possible prosecution. The suspects were detained on 28 March after threatening a Seychelles fishing vessel in the Somali Basin approximately 260 nautical miles northeast of the Seychelles. (4/2/11).

UK – Safety Digest

clip_image024 The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) published its Safety Digest 1/2011. This edition discussed poor application and knowledge of the COLREGS; over-reliance on ECDIS; and inadequate passage planning. (4/1/11).

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

http://brymar-consulting.com

© Dennis L. Bryant – April 2011

clip_image026 Redistribution permitted with attribution

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