Headlines: Alaska – cruise ship allides with ice; EPA- marine superintendent added to EPA fugitive list; Oregon – Exercise Trident Fury; CBP – technical corrections to cargo manifest regulations; Senate – bill introduced re transportation infrastructure investment; UK – safety bulletin re rescue boat davits; and UK – safety management system not adequately implemented.
May 12, 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. “It is a tale, told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” – William Shakespeare.
Alaska – cruise ship allides with ice
The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that a cruise ship in Yakutat Bay, Alaska sustained damage approximately 15 feet below the waterline after it allided with ice near the Hubbard Glacier. The hull was reportedly not breached and there have been no reports of injury or pollution. The ship continued her voyage to Sitka. The incident is under investigation. (5/11/11).
EPA – marine superintendent added to EPA fugitive list
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a press release stating that Prem Kumar, also known as Premakumaran Krishnan, a citizen of India, has been added to the EPA fugitive list for failing to surrender to federal law enforcement authorities after he was indicted for his role in an illegal ocean-going wastewater discharge case. Mr. Kumar worked as a marine superintendent for Fleet Management Ltd, a commercial ship management company based in Hong Kong. Fleet Management and Mr. Kumar were indicted by a federal grand jury in Corpus Christi on April 29, 2010. Fleet Management eventually pleaded guilty to charges related to the illegal dumping and has been sentenced. Mr. Kumar was charged with obstruction, conspiracy, and making false statements. With the addition of Mr. Kumar, there are now 17 individuals on the EPA fugitive list. (5/11/11).
Oregon – Exercise Trident Fury
The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it participated with the US Navy, the Canadian Navy, the French Navy, and the Royal Australian Navy in Exercise Trident Fury off the coast of Oregon on May 6. The exercise simulated a major port being blocked by mines. The exercise participants located and neutralized the mines, allowing the port to reopen. (5/11/11).
CBP – technical corrections to cargo manifest regulations
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a final rule amending its cargo manifest regulations to make technical corrections, including removing obsolete language that refers to vessel carriers who do not transmit cargo declaration information electronically. The amendments come into effect immediately. 76 Fed. Reg. 27606 (May 12, 2011).
Senate – bill introduced re transportation infrastructure investment
Senator Murray (D-WA) introduced a bill (S. 942) to provide for improved investment in national transportation infrastructure. Official text of the bill has not yet been posted. (5/10/11).
UK – safety bulletin re rescue boat davits
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued a safety bulletin advising of a recent incident in which the fall wire of a rescue boat parted as the boat was being raised at the end of a monthly drill. The rescue boat and its crew of four dropped nearly 29m to the water below. One mariner was killed and two were hospitalized. Investigation revealed that the proximity switch that should have stopped the hoisting when the rescue boat reached its stowed position failed, with the result that the hoisting motor overpowered the fall wire. The manufacturer of the davit, Schat-Harding, has issued a Product Awareness Bulletin (PAN) highlighting the need to test the proximity switches fitted on its SA 1.5 and SA 1.75 davits on each occasion before hoisting operations commence and recommending that the proximity switch be replaced every two years. It also highlights the need for caution when using pressure washers on deck. Safety Bulletin 2/2011 (5/12/11).
UK – safety management system not adequately implemented
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued the report of its investigation into the fatal accident to the chief engineer in the lift shaft on board a container ship in Kaohsiung, Taiwan on 21 April 2010. The ship was undergoing an environmental compliance inspection, part of which involved checking the pit of the lift for oil residues. The second engineer was unable to open the lift shaft doors to gain access to the lift pit. Without discussing his intentions with the second engineer, the chief engineer entered the lift car, climbed through the escape hatch to the top of the lift car, and closed the hatch behind him. Meanwhile, the second engineer reset the lift controls. The lift car automatically moved upwards and trapped the chief engineer against the door sill of the floor above, asphyxiating him. Investigation revealed that the company’s safety management program met international standards, but that there were serious failings in its implementation. Few risk assessments were completed, safe systems of work had not been established, and work permits were not used appropriately. Report 6/2010 (5/12/11).
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
© Dennis L. Bryant – May 2011
Redistribution permitted with attribution
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