Bryant’s Maritime Blog–7 April 2011

Headlines: New York Harbor – anti-terrorism exercise; USCG-BOEMRE – Joint Investigation continues; USCG – MARPOL Anne V Wider Caribbean Region Special Area; USCG – passenger weight; MARAD – FOSNI for Beaumont Layberth Facility; FMC – meeting scheduled for April 13; House – bill introduced to improve national transportation system; House – bill introduced re FWPCA fill material; Arabian Sea – suspected pirates detained; and UNCTAD – International Convention on Arrest of Ships, 1999.

April 7, 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).

New York Harbor – anti-terrorism exercise

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that a joint-agency anti-terrorism exercise will be conducted on waters of New York Harbor on April 7 between 12 noon and 4 p.m. (4/6/11).

USCG-BOEMRE – Joint Investigation continues

The USCG-BOEMRE Joint Investigation issued a news release stating that it conducted its second day of the seventh session of hearings into circumstances surrounding the explosion and fire on the MODU Deepwater Horizon, with loss of life. The panel heard from Mike Fry, a manager of the major spares and equipment exchange program for Transocean. The session is expected to continue through Friday, April 8. (4/6/11).

USCG – MARPOL Annex V Wider Caribbean Region Special Area

The US Coast Guard issued a notice announcing that, in accordance with IMO Res. MEPC.191(60), the restrictions on discharges from ships in the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR) special area (SA), as specified in MARPOL Annex V, Regulation 5, will come into effect on May 1, 2011. The WCR includes the Gulf of Mexico. Once the restrictions come into effect, no person may discharge, within the SA, garbage from a ship except (under limited conditions) food wastes. 76 Fed. Reg. 19380 (April 7, 2011).

USCG – passenger weight

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, effective immediately, the information collection requirements affecting documentation related to the recent amendment to the regulation increasing the Assumed Average Weight per Person (AAWPP) for passengers on US vessels to 185 pounds. 76 Fed. Reg. 19275 (April 7, 2011).

MARAD – FONSI for Beaumont Layberth Facility

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued a notice stating that it has completed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) with regard to construction of a layberth facility at the Beaumont National Defense Reserve Fleet anchorage that can accommodate eight Large Medium-Speed Roll-on/Roll-off vessels. 76 Fed. Reg. 19523 (April 7, 2011).

FMC – meeting scheduled for April 13

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a news release stating that it will conduct an open meeting at its office in Washington, DC on April 13. Topics on the agenda include: the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Japan; activities that may be conducted without further Agreement filings; Fact Finding 26 recommendations; and the level of financial responsibility to meet liability incurred for death or personal injury to passengers or other persons on voyages. (4/6/11).

House – bill introduced to improve national transportation system

Representative Sires (D-NJ) introduced the Focusing Resources, Economic Investment, and Guidance to Help Transportation Act of 2011 (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). Note: Among other things, the bill includes a port infrastructure development initiative.

House – bill introduced re FWPCA fill material

Representative Pallone (D-NJ) introduced a bill (H.R. 1375) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify that fill material cannot be comprised of waste. Official text of the bill has not yet been posted. (4/5/11).

Arabian Sea – suspected pirates detained

The EU NAVFOR issued a press release stating that one of its warships intercepted a suspected pirate action group in the Arabian Sea approximately 250 nautical miles southeast of Salalah, Oman. The suspected pirates, in a dhow and two skiffs, attempted to flee and were observed throwing equipment overboard. The eighteen individuals on board have been detained. The pirate-related paraphernalia has been seized. (4/6/11).

UNCTAD – International Convention on Arrest of Ships, 1999

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) issued a news release stating that the International Convention on Arrest of Ships, 1999 will enter into force on 14 September 2011. Currently, there are ten State Parties to the Convention: Albania, Algeria, Benin, Bulgaria, Ecuador, Estonia, Latvia, Liberia, Spain, and Syria. (3/29/11).

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