Bryant’s Maritime Blog–10 June 2011

Headlines: MARAD – advisory for vessels transiting Japanese waters; USCG – workshop on 2010 Manila STCW Amendments; DOJ – company’s ships banned for five years; FMC – Commissioner Mario Cordero sworn in; CBP – harmonized data set for cargo imports; Breton Sound – report of oil spill; NOAA, USGS & BOEMRE – survey of deepwater canyons; USCG – engine cut-off switches on recreational vessels; USCG – members sought for NAVSAC; New Zealand – safety zones near offshore installations; and Panama Canal – May operations summary.

June 10, 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. The Ship of Theseus sails forever.

MARAD – advisory for vessels transiting Japanese waters

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued an advisory providing updated guidance for vessels transiting to or from Japan or in waters in the vicinity of the northeast coast of the Island of Honshu. Vessels that enter into the Japanese-defined “Restricted Area” may be subject to additional screening by the US Coast Guard if the US is the first port call after departing the Restricted Area. The US Coast Guard requires the vessel’s master to submit transit information, including the date and total time within the restricted area to the cognizant USCG Captain of the Port (COTP) using the comment block on the 96-hour advance notice of arrival (ANOA). Advisory 2011-03 (6/7/11).

USCG – workshop on 2010 Manila STCW Amendments

The USCG National Maritime Center (NMC) issued an invitation to STCW Training Providers to attend a workshop on the implementation of the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention. There will be two identical workshops, both in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The first will be on Jun 28 and the second will be on June 29. Reservations will be on a first-come/first-serve basis. (6/9/11).

DOJ – company’s ships banned for five years

The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a news release stating that ships owned or operated by the Noka Shipping Company Ltd. have been banned from entering US ports and territorial waters for five (5) years as part of a plea agreement. The company pleaded guilty in federal court to deliberately concealing pollution discharges and failing to notify the Coast Guard of safety hazards on one of its ships. The company was also sentenced to pay a criminal fine of $750,000 along with a $150,000 community service payment. (6/8/11).

FMC – Commissioner Mario Cordero sworn in

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a news release stating that Mario Cordero, formerly a member of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, has been sworn in as a Commissioner of the FMC. (6/8/11).

CBP – harmonized data set for cargo imports

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a news release stating that agreement among participating government agencies (PGAs) has been reached on a harmonized set of information needed by the agencies to approve imports of cargo. CBP anticipates completing the technology build that will enable the collection of the PGA Message Set in late 2011. Additional work to reform policies, processes, and regulatory changes is ongoing to streamline data submission and allow for a paperless system when the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Cargo Release capabilities begin deploying in 2012. (6/8/11).

Breton Sound – report of oil spill

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it is responding to the report of an oil spill in Breton Sound near Venice, Louisiana. Samples have been sent to a laboratory for identification. (6/8/11).

NOAA, USGS & BOEMRE – survey of deepwater canyons

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a news release stating that it, the US Geological Survey (USGS), and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) are conducting a multiagency survey of deepwater canyons in waters off the coast of Virginia and Maryland. (6/9/11).

USCG – engine cut-off switches on recreational vessels

The US Coast Guard is seeking public input on whether it should require engine cut-off switches as a standards safety feature on propulsion machinery and/or starting controls installed on recreational vessels less than 26 feet in length and whether it should require operators of these recreational vessels use engine cut-off switches. Comments should be submitted by September 6. 76 Fed. Reg. 33161 (June 8, 2011).

USCG – members sought for NAVSAC

The US Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (NAVSAC). Applications should be submitted by July 29. 76 Fed. Reg. 33773 (June 9, 2011).

New Zealand – safety zones near offshore installations

Maritime New Zealand issued a notice highlighting the responsibilities of fishing vessel owners and masters to stay well clear of safety zones around offshore installations; not anchor or fish within protected or restricted areas near pipelines, subsea installations, and subsea cables; and be fully aware of other precautionary areas as marked on nautical charts. Marine Guidance Notice 20 (6/7/11).

Panama Canal – May operations summary

The Panama Canal Authority issued an advisory summarizing canal operations during May. It also includes the schedule of locks maintenance work for the remainder of the year. Advisory 10-2011 (6/6/11).

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 – June 2011

Redistribution permitted with attribution