Bryant's Maritime Blog: Bryant’s Maritime Blog

Headlines: Gulf of Oman – US warship protects VLCC under attack by pirates; Natchez – river closed due to high water; TSAC – meeting; USCG – CFSAC vacancies; USCG – review of ballast water discharge standard – errata; Court – USCG rulemaking remanded for compliance with NEPA; EC – unannounced inspections of liner shipping companies; EC – European Maritime Day; and US & NZ – global supply chain security cooperation.

May 18, 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. “It is a tale, told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” – William Shakespeare.

Gulf of Oman – US warship protects VLCC under attack by pirates

The US Navy issued a media release stating that the USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) responded to a mayday message from the very large crude carrier (VLCC) Artemis Glory transiting the Gulf of Oman, stating that the VLCC was under attack by pirates. The Bulkeley launched one of its helicopters. Upon arrival, the helicopter observed being attacked by four individuals in a skiff who were firing upon the vessel using small arms. Under the principle of ‘extended unit self-defense’ and in order to provide protection to the VLCC’s crew, the helicopter engaged the pirates. All of the pirates are believed to have been killed. None of the 23 crew members on the VLCC were injured. (5/17/11).

Natchez – river closed due to high water

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that the Lower Mississippi River near Natchez has been closed to navigation from mile marker 350 to mile marker 365 due to high water. (5/17/11).

TSAC – meeting

The Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC), sponsored by the US Coast Guard, will meet in Memphis on June 16. Topics on the agenda include licensing and manning for officers of towing vessels and casualty reporting requirements. 76 Fed. Reg. 28798 (May 18, 2011).

USCG – CFSAC vacancies

The US Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee (CFSAC). Applications must be received by June 30. 76 Fed. Reg. 28799 (May 18, 2011).

USCG – review of ballast water discharge standard – errata

In yesterday’s newsletter, I reported that the internal review of the Coast Guard’s draft final rule regarding the ballast water discharge standard has been completed and the draft is being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and that OMB review of this rulemaking is expected to take 3-4 months with a revised date of expected publication in summer 2011. I misspoke. Internal review of the final rule has yet to be completed. The revised date of expected publication of the final rule, though, is summer 2011. (5/18/11).

Court – USCG rulemaking remanded for compliance with NEPA

The US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit remanded the Coast Guard rulemaking regarding navigation of tank vessels in Buzzards Bay for compliance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The court found that, during its rulemaking process, the Coast Guard failed to fully consider the various factors laid out in the statute and its implementing regulations. In particular, the Coast Guard failed to prepare either an environmental impact statement (EIS) or an environmental assessment (EA). United States v. Coalition for Buzzards Bay, No. 10-1664 (1st Cir., May 17, 2011).

EC – unannounced inspections of liner shipping companies

The European Commission (EC) issued a press release stating that it undertook unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the container liner shipping in several member states. The inspections were to determine if the companies have violated antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices and/or abuse of a dominant market position. (5/17/11).

EC – European Maritime Day

The press release stating that May 20 is celebrated as European Maritime Day. Its purpose is to showcase the importance of the sea and oceans for everyday life. A conference is being held in Gdansk on May 19-20 for the purpose of discussing the opportunities and challenges currently facing maritime regions and sectors across Europe. The theme for European Maritime Day 2011 is “Putting People First”. (5/17/11).

US & NZ – global supply chain security cooperation

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a news release stating that Secretary Janet Napolitano and New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully signed a joint statement on global supply chain security cooperation. (5/17/11).