Bryant’s Maritime Blog–23 May 2011

Headlines: White House – National Safe Boating Week; USCG – Mariner Medical Evaluation Form 719K; USCG – Safety Alert re high velocity vent valves; USCG – GPS enhanced EPIRBs; USCG – determination re foreign rebuild; FERC – incentive rate treatment for offshore wind project; BOEMRE – revised draft SEIS for Chukchi Sea lease sale; Senate – bill introduced to amend OCSLA; Senate – bill introduced re transportation infrastructure investment; IMO – guidance on use of privately contracted armed security personnel; Ireland – Dundalk Port to amalgamate with Dublin Port Company; and Ireland – seismic survey off south coast.

May 23, 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 – National Safe Boating Week

President Obama issued a Proclamation designating May 21 through May 27, 2011 as National Safe Boating Week. The US Coast Guard issued a news release explaining its recreational boating safety campaign. (5/20/11).

USCG – Mariner Medical Evaluation Form 719K

The USCG National Maritime Center (NMC) issued a Bulletin stating that it has issued a revised and updated version of the Mariner Medical Evaluation Form 719K. Prior versions are obsolete and should not be used. (5/20/11).

USCG – Safety Alert re high velocity vent valves

The US Coast Guard issued a safety alert regarding high velocity vent valves, vacuum valves, and P/V valves. A combination chemical/oil product carrier recently suffered a casualty when a cargo tank was over-pressurized during loading. Investigation revealed that the high velocity vent valve was stuck in the closed position. It appears doubtful that crewmembers exercised the valve prior to cargo operations as per their operating procedure. The coast Guard strongly recommends that high velocity vent valves, vacuum valves and p/v valves be maintained in operating condition at all times and are routinely checked as procedures require. Alert 04-11 (5/20/11)

USCG – GPS enhanced EPIRBs

The US Coast Guard strongly urges vessel owners/operators to replace and upgrade existing Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) with newer ones that include the GPS transmission feature. GPS enhanced EPIRBs will include the distress position (accurate within 100 meters), allowing responders to concentrate on rescue rather than search. Advisory 02-11 (5/20/11).

USCG – determination re foreign rebuild

The US Coast Guard issued a Determination Letter based on an inquiry of whether certain work planned to be performed on a US vessel in a foreign shipyard would affect the eligibility of the vessel for a coastwise endorsement. The Coast Guard determined, based on the information provided, that the work to be performed on the vessel satisfied both the “major component test” and the “considerable part test” and, thus, the work would not constitute a foreign rebuild and the vessel would remain eligible for a coastwise endorsement. (5/10/11).

FERC – incentive rate treatment for offshore wind project

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a news release stating that it granted incentive rate treatment for several proposed transmission projects, including the 250-mile Atlantic Wind Connection project that plans to interconnect up to 6,000 MW of offshore wind power. (5/19/11).

BOEMRE – revised draft SEIS for Chukchi Sea lease sale

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) issued a news release stating that it has released the revised draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for Chukchi Sea Lease Sale 193. The bureau is accepting additional public comment before the document is finalized. (5/20/11).

Senate – bill introduced to amend OCSLA

Senator Bingaman (D-NM) introduced the Outer Continental Shelf Reform Act of 2011 (S. 917) to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to reform the management of energy and mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf, and for other purposes. (5/9/11).

Senate – bill introduced re transportation infrastructure investment

Senator Murray (D-WA) introduced the Transportation Infrastructure Grants and Economic Reinvestment Act (S. 942) to provide for improved investment in national transportation infrastructure. (5/10/11).

IMO – guidance on use of privately contracted armed security personnel

The IMO issued a news release stating that the Maritime Safety Committee, at its 89th session (MSC 89), approved interim guidance on employment of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships transiting the high-risk piracy area off the coast of Somalia, in the Gulf of Aden, and in the western Indian Ocean. Owners and operators are reminded that flag state laws and regulations apply to the vessel’s embarking these personnel. Port and coastal state laws may also be applicable. (5/20/11).

Ireland – Dundalk Port to amalgamate with Dublin Port Company

The Irish Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport issued a press release stating that the Dundalk Port Company will be amalgamated with the Dublin Port Company. (5/19/11).

Ireland – seismic survey off south coast

The Irish Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport issued a notice stating that, commencing on or about 4 June and extending for approximately three weeks, a seismic survey will be conducted in waters of the North Celtic Sea off the south coast of Ireland. Mariners should give the survey vessel and its towed array a wide berth. Marine Notice 30-2011 (5/19/11).

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 – May 2011

Redistribution permitted with attribution