Bryant’s Maritime Blog–22 June 2011

Headlines: DOD – territorial disputes in the South China Sea; NTSB – mate’s distraction resulted in fatal collision; OSHA – occupational injury and illness reporting requirements; GIWW – temporary safety zone; GIWW – temporary safety zone; DOS – SHC meeting; DOI – NOC Workshop on Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning; NASA – ICESCAPE mission; NOAA – Arctic Symposium; and Senate – bill introduced re Chicago Area Water System.

June 22, 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

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DOD – territorial disputes in the South China Sea

The Department of Defense (DOD) issued a news release stating that the United States, like the rest of the world, has a deep interest in ensuring freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and in helping defuse tensions over territorial disputes there. (6/21/11). Note: Territorial disputes in the South China Sea, particularly with regard to the Spratly Islands and the Paracel Islands, are long-standing and have involved the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines. Most recently, there have been confrontations between China and Vietnam regarding this dispute.

NTSB – mate’s distraction resulted in fatal collision

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a press release stating that its investigation has determined that the mate operating a tugboat on the Delaware River near Philadelphia on July 7, 2010, failed to maintain a proper lookout while towing a barge alongside. He was inattentive due to his repeated use of a cell phone and lap top computer while communicating with his family who were dealing with a family emergency. As a result of this inattention, the barge collided with an anchored amphibious passenger vehicle, the DUKW 34. The collision resulted in the sinking of the vehicle. Two of the 35 passengers on the vehicle were killed. Minor injuries were suffered by 26 passengers and two crew members. A synopsis of the report has been posted. The full report will be released in several weeks. (6/21/11).

OSHA – occupational injury and illness reporting requirements

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposes to amend its regulations relating to the requirement for employers to report occupational injury and illness. The proposal would require reports to be made to OSHA within eight hours of all work-related fatalities and all work-related in-patient hospitalizations and, within 24 hours, all work-related amputations. The current regulation requires an employer to report to OSHA, within eight hours, all work-related fatalities and in-patient hospitalizations of three or more employees. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by September 20. 76 Fed. Reg. 36414 (June 22, 2011).

GIWW – temporary safety zone

The US Coast Guard has established, through July 31, a temporary safety zone on specified waters of the Gulf Intracoastal Water Way (GIWW), closing the Morgan City-Port Allen Route from mile marker 0 to the Port Allen lock to all commercial traffic. 76 Fed. Reg. 36318 (June 22, 2011).

GIWW – temporary safety zone

The US Coast Guard has established, through July 31, a temporary safety zone imposing restrictions on the Gulf Intracoastal Water Way (GIWW) between West Harvey Lock Gulf West (WHL) mile marker 98.5 and mile marker 108.5. All vessels are prohibited from transiting the zone except as specifically authorized by the USCG Captain of the Port (COTP). 76 Fed. Reg. 36314 (June 22, 2011).

DOS – SHC meeting

The Department of State (DOS) issued a notice stating that the US Shipping Coordinating Committee (SHC) will meet in Washington, DC on July 21 to prepare for the upcoming session of the IMO SLF Subcommittee. Topics on the agenda include development of second generation intact stability criteria and development of guidelines for verification of damage stability requirements for tankers. 76 Fed. Reg. 36613 (June 22, 2011).

DOI – NOC Workshop on Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning

The Department of the Interior (DOI) issued a press release stating that it will host the National Ocean Council (NOC) Workshop on Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning in Washington, DC on June 21-23. (6/20/11).

NASA – ICESCAPE mission

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) issued a news release stating that a team of its scientists is departing on the Coast Guard icebreaker Healy on its second and final portion of the study of how changing ice conditions in the Arctic affect the ocean’s chemistry and ecosystems. The five-week ICESCAPE mission will depart Dutch Harbor on June 25. (6/21/11).

NOAA – Arctic Symposium

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) posted the address delivered by NOAA Administrator Janet Lubchenco at the Arctic Symposium. Among other things, she stated that NOAA’s current climate modeling capacity in the Arctic region is too gross to meet user needs. It is beyond the scope of existing ecosystem models to provide reliable indications of how loss of sea ice and increasing ocean temperatures will impact key animal species. NOAA and other stakeholders are working to improve the Arctic geospatial infrastructure in support of marine transportation, maritime domain awareness, oil spill response, and community resilience. (6/20/11).

Senate – bill introduced re Chicago Area Water System

Senator Coats (R-IN) introduced a bill (S. 1197) to provide for a feasibility study before carrying out any Federal action relating to the Chicago Area Water System. (6/15/11).

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