Bryant’s Maritime Blog–15 June 2011

Headlines: DOS – North Korean vessel returns to port; EPA – award to Ingram Barge for environmental leadership; FMC – July meeting; MARAD – vessel calls in US ports increased 13% in 2010; Breton Sound – oil spill response completed; Columbia River – removal of MV Davy Crockett; FMC – inquiry re China Bond Rider; House – hearing on Marine Transportation System; House – hearing on USCG homeland security missions; Texas – The Responder newsletter; Somali Basin – pirate skiffs sunk; Pacific – regional SAR workshop; Singapore – ratification of MLC 2006; and In memoriam – fire on passenger vessel General Slocum.

June 15, 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.

DOS – North Korean vessel returns to port

At the State Department’s Daily Press Briefing on June 13, the spokesman responded to a series of questions regarding the North Korean-operated vessel that was suspected of being involved in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning non-proliferation of various items. Upon US request, the flag state (Belize) authorized a US boarding of the vessel, but the master refused to consent. Rather than make a boarding over the master’s objection, the US worked with various governments in the Asian region. Eventually, the ship returned to North Korea. (6/13/11). Note: Press reports indicate that the destroyer USS McCAMPBELL intercepted the cargo vessel LIGHT in the East China Sea on May 26. The LIGHT was suspected of transporting missile components to Myanmar (Burma).

EPA – award to Ingram Barge for environmental leadership

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a press release stating that it presented an award to Ingram Barge Company of Nashville, Tennessee for demonstrating environmental leadership. Among other things, Ingram has been promoting sustainability partnerships and implementing clean diesel projects. It also retrofitted six of its towboats with diesel oxidation catalysts. (6/14/11).

FMC – July meeting

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a notice stating that the next meeting of the Commission will be on July 13 in Washington, DC. (6/14/11).

MARAD – vessel calls in US ports increased 13% in 2010

The Maritime Administration (MARAD issued a news release stating that vessel calls in US ports were up by 13% in 2010 compared to 2009. During the year, 7,579 oceangoing ships made 62,747 calls at US ports. (6/14/11).

Breton Sound – oil spill response completed

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that response to the reported oil slick in Breton Sound, Louisiana had been completed. The original oil ribbon rapidly weathered, broke down, and disintegrated. There were no reports of shoreline impact. No dispersants were used. No oil was recovered. (6/13/11). Note: Press reports indicate that the oil was probably from a submerged pipeline.

Columbia River – removal of MV Davy Crockett

The US Coast Guard is extending, through July 31, the effective date of the safety zone on the Columbia River in the vicinity of the MV Davy Crockett while the salvage work is ongoing. 76 Fed. Reg. 34862 (June 15, 2011).

FMC – inquiry re China Bond Rider

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a Notice of Inquiry stating that it is soliciting public comment on the Proposal from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Ministry of Transport to amend the financial responsibility requirements of the China Bond Rider. The PRC proposal seeks to adjust the amount of the supplemental bond required of US NVOCCs doing business in the PRC to account for changes in the US-PRC exchange rate since the amount (in US currency) was established in 2003. Comments should be submitted by July 15. 76 Fed. Reg. 34945 (June 15, 2011).

House – hearing on Marine Transportation System

The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure conducted an oversight hearing on the Marine Transportation System. A briefing memo was prepared in advance of the hearing. The Honorable David Matsuda, Administrator, MARAD, testified concerning the role of the MTS in the economic structure of the United States. Mr. Joseph Cox, Chamber of Shipping of America, testified concerning the Marine Highways Cooperative, short sea shipping, and piracy. Mr. Michael Roberts, American Maritime Partnership, testified concerning government regulation, government spending, and government promotion of the MTS. Mr. Augustin Tellez, Seafarers International Union, testified concerning the importance of the Maritime Security Program (MSP) and the program for government-impelled export cargo transportation on US-flag vessel. Mr. John Mohr, Port of Everett, testified concerning the need for regulatory reform, increased federal investment, and changes to the Harbor Maintenance Tax. (6/14/11).

House – hearing on USCG homeland security missions

The Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the House Committee on Homeland Security conducted an oversight hearing on a Review of the Coast Guard’s Post 9/11 Homeland Security Missions. An opening statement was made by Subcommittee Chair Candice Miller (R-MI). Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr., Commandant, US Coast Guard, testified the layered security system and maritime domain awareness, among other things. (6/14/11).

Texas – The Responder newsletter

The Texas General Land Office (TGLO) posted the June 2011 edition of The Responder newsletter. Articles in this edition include a report on the January spill of safflower oil in the Brownsville Ship Channel and the March Gulf of Mexico PREP exercise. (6/14/11).

Somali Basin – pirate skiffs sunk

The EU NAVFOR issued a press release stating that one of its warships intercepted a suspected pirate action group (PAG), consisting of a fishing dhow and two skiffs, in the Southern Somali Basin. Concern for the safety of hostages prohibited direct action against the dhow. Instead, the two skiffs were sunk by gunfire. The dhow then changed course and returned to Somalia. (6/14/11).

Pacific – regional SAR workshop

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a media release stating that the Fourth Pacific Regional Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) workshop was held in Cairns last week. (6/14/11).

Singapore – ratification of MLC 2006

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a news release stating that the Government of Singapore has submitted to the International Labour Organization (ILO) its instrument of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006). The Convention is expected to enter into force in 2012. (6/14/11).

In memoriam – fire on passenger vessel General Slocum

On June 15, 1904, the passenger vessel General Slocum caught fire while operating on the East River in New York City. More than 1,000 passengers and crew lost their lives.

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