Bryant’s Maritime Blog–25 May 2011

Headlines: White House – sanctions imposed for trading with Iran; USCG – availability of technology for CVSSA; USCG – OSVs include vessels supporting alternative energy platforms; Lower Mississippi River – reopened to limited traffic; House – hearing on Coast Guard regulatory program; House – bill introduced to rebuild infrastructure; House – bill introduced to promote secure ferry transportation; House – bill introduced to require oil spill response planning; Florida – seaport ID law repealed; Canada – North American Safe Boating Awareness Week; and India – maritime security and anti-piracy operations.

May 25, 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 – sanctions imposed for trading with Iran

President Obama issued an Executive Order authorizing the implementation of certain sanctions against entities that have traded with Iran in violation of US law. The Treasury Department issued a notice identifying some of the entities that have been added to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a document identifying additional entities against which certain sanctions have been imposed. The Department of State issued a news release identifying companies that have been sanctioned. The sanctions relate to concerns by the US Government that these entities facilitated the supply of refined petroleum product to Iran. (5/24/11).

USCG – availability of technology for CVSSA

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that it is soliciting information on the availability of technology to meet certain provisions of the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 (CVSSA), specifically related to video recording and overboard detection technologies. Comments and information should be submitted by July 25. 76 Fed. Reg. 30374 (May 25, 2011).

USCG – OSVs include vessels supporting alternative energy platforms

The US Coast Guard issued an Opinion Letter stating that the definition of offshore supply vessel (OSV), as defined in federal law, encompasses a variety of vessels that support offshore energy resource exploration and exploitation. Offshore energy resources are not limited to oil and gas. Accordingly, OSVs include vessels supporting exploration, exploitation, or production of alternative energy. (4/18/11). Note: This item was brought to my attention by my good friend Alan Spackman of the International Association of Drilling Contractors.

Lower Mississippi River – reopened to limited traffic

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that the Lower Mississippi River near Baton Rouge has been reopened to limited traffic in both directions. It was closed to navigation temporarily following the sinking of three barges. (5/24/11).

House – hearing on Coast Guard regulatory program

The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure conducted an oversight hearing on the Creating US Maritime Industry Jobs by Reducing Regulatory Burdens. The Subcommittee posted its Background Memo on the Coast Guard regulatory program. Testimony was received from Rear Admiral Kevin Cook, Director of Prevention Policy and from Mr. Calvin Lederer, Deputy Judge Advocate General, US Coast Guard. (5/24/11). Note: Interestingly, most of the hearing was consumed by examinations of delays in the issuance of new regulations mandated by statute.

House – bill introduced to rebuild infrastructure

Representative Murphy (R-PA) introduced the Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence Act (H.R. 1861) to greatly enhance America's path toward energy independence and economic and national security, to conserve energy use, to promote innovation, to achieve lower emissions, cleaner air, cleaner water, and cleaner land, to rebuild our Nation's aging roads, bridges, locks, and dams, and for other purposes. (5/12/11).

House – bill introduced to promote secure ferry transportation

Representative Larsen (D-WA) introduced the United States Ferry Systems Investment Act of 2011 (H.R. 1879) to promote secure ferry transportation and for other purposes. (5/12/11).

House – bill introduced to require oil spill response planning

Representative Tsongas (D-MA) introduced the Save America from Environmentally Reckless Drilling Act or SAFER Drilling Act (H.R. 1890) to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to require, as a condition and term of any exploration plan or development and production plan submitted under that Act, that the applicant for the plan must submit an oil spill containment and clean-up plan capable of handling a worst-case scenario oil spill, and for other purposes. (5/12/11).

Florida – seaport ID law repealed

The State of Florida issued a news release stating that Governor Scott signed into law a bill (HB 283) that repeals the law enacted in 2000 that required persons to have a state-issued identification card to be entitled to unescorted access to major seaports in the state. The state requirement largely duplicated the federal TWIC requirement. (5/24/11).

Canada – North American Safe Boating Awareness Week

Transport Canada issued a news release stating that North American Safe Boating Awareness Week 2011 runs from May 21 to 27. Boaters are urged to adopt safe boating practices such as wearing life-jackets and preparing ahead for contingencies. (5/21/11).

India – maritime security and anti-piracy operations

The Indian Ministry of Defence issued a news release stating that maritime security and anti-piracy operations are high priority missions of the Indian Navy. (5/24/11).

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