Bryant's Maritime Blog: Bryant’s Maritime Blog

Headlines: White House – USCGA Commencement Address; US – economic sanctions against Syrian officials; Natchez – river reopened to limited traffic; USCG – passenger weight standards; Bar Harbor – emergency response exercise; NOAA – searching for evidence of the maritime Maya; Senate – bill introduced to facilitate oil and gas development; Senate – bill introduced to create National Endowment for the Oceans; Denmark – rescue of Iranian captives from Somali pirates; and SAARPSCO – Anti-piracy Conference.

May 19, 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.

White House – USCGA Commencement Address

The White House posted the Commencement Address delivered by President Barack Obama upon the graduation of the Class of 2011 from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. (5/18/11).

US – economic sanctions against Syrian officials

President Obama issued an Executive Order imposing economic sanctions against senior officials of the Government of Syria. The sanctions come into effect immediately. Entities doing business with both Syria and the United States should exercise caution so as to avoid inadvertent violations of the sanctions. (5/18/11).

Natchez – river reopened to limited traffic

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that the Lower Mississippi River has been reopened to navigation between mile markers 350 and 365 near Natchez. Tight traffic control is in place, allowing only one tow vessel at a time to transit the area. (5/18/11).

USCG – passenger weight standards

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that it published Policy Letter 11-03 entitled “Implementation of Revised Passenger Weight Standards for Existing Passenger Vessels”. The policy letter provides guidance on how the Coast Guard will amend Certificates of Inspection prior to a change in the assumed average weight per person standard that will become effective in December 2011. The policy letter is effective immediately. 76 Fed. Reg. 28998 (May 19, 2011).

Bar Harbor – emergency response exercise

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that the Canadian/United States Atlantic 2011 emergency response exercise (CANUSLANT) is being held in Bar Harbor, Maine on May 18-19. The players are exercising emergency response plans, policies, and procedures as they pertain to a grounded cruise ship. (5/18/11).

NOAA – searching for evidence of the maritime Maya

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a news release stating that it and its partners are exploring the hidden world of the maritime Maya. There is historic evidence that the Maya maintained extensive maritime trading through waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Searches are now underway for physical evidence, such as the large canoes that they are known to have used. (5/18/11).

Senate – bill introduced to facilitate oil and gas development

Senator Bingaman (D-NM) introduced the Oil and Gas Facilitation Act of 2011 (S. 916) to facilitate appropriate oil and gas development on Federal land and waters, to limit dependence of the United States on foreign sources of oil and gas, and for other purposes. (5/9/11).

Senate – bill introduced to create National Endowment for the Oceans

Senator Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced the National Endowment for the Oceans Act (S. 973) to create the National Endowment for the Oceans to promote the protection and conservation of the United States ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems, and for other purposes. (5/12/11).

Denmark – rescue of Iranian captives from Somali pirates

The Government of Denmark issued a press release recounting the rescue of the Iranian fishermen who were held captive by Somali pirates for six months while the pirates used the fishing vessel as a mothership from which to conduct attacks on merchant vessels. The Iranians were rescued after the pirates mistakenly attempted to assault the Danish warship Esbern Snare. Four pirates were killed in the ensuing firefight and 24 were captured. (5/18/11).

SAARPSCO – Anti-piracy conference

The South Asia and Africa Regional Port Stability Cooperative (SAARPSCO) and the Republic of Seychelles will jointly host the Anti-piracy, Maritime Security and International Maritime Information Sharing Conference in Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles on September 6-9. (5/17/11).