Bryant’s Maritime Blog–30 June 2011

Headlines: White House – counterterrorism strategy; MACOSH – meeting; OFAC – listing of SDNs and blocked vessels re Iran sanctions; BOEMRE – civil penalties for OCS oil, gas, and sulphur operations; USCG – hurricane and heavy weather contingency plans; ReCAAP – hijacked/missing tug boats and barges; Australia – up to 25 Navy ships to be sold; Australia – REEFREP and REEFVTS changes; Australia – new and revised charges for marine services; India & Mozambique – maritime security agreement; Singapore – recent IMO resolutions; UK – MAIB annual report; UK – safety bulletin re boat davit proximity switch; and UK – safety bulletin re overweight rescue boat.

June 30, 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.

White House – counterterrorism strategy

The White House released the National Strategy for Counterterrorism. Among the goals articulated in the strategy is protection of the homeland. This will be accomplished by means of such efforts as enhanced port and cargo security. The strategy also addresses resiliency and recovery should an attack occur. (6/29/11).

MACOSH – meeting

The Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH), sponsored by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), will meet in San Diego on July 19-20. Topics on the agenda include working safety around radiation and safe entry and work in vessel’s sewage tanks. 76 Fed. Reg. 38428 (June 30, 2011).

OFAC – listing of SDNs and blocked vessels re Iran sanctions

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a final rule amending provisions relating to economic sanctions against the Government of Iran. Among other things, it is replacing the list of specially designated nationals (SDNs) and blocked vessels with information on how to obtain up-to-date lists. The amendments come into effect immediately. 76 Fed. Reg. 38533 (June 30, 2011).

BOEMRE – civil penalties for OCS oil, gas, and sulphur operations

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) is amending its maximum daily civil penalty assessments for violations of regulations implementing the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) to reflect increases in the consumer price index (CPI). The maximum daily civil penalty assessment for violation of OCSLA regulations will be increased to $40,000. The maximum daily civil penalty assessment for violation of the OPA 90 financial responsibility regulations will be increased to $30,000. The changes come into effect on August 1. 76 Fed. Reg. 38294 (June 30, 2011).

USCG – hurricane and heavy weather contingency plans

The list of Coast Guard Hurricane and Heavy Weather Contingency Plans has been updated, through the kind efforts of my friend Paul Westcott of MOBRO Marine, to include updated Hurricane Port Readiness Condition Requirements from Sector Miami. (6/29/11).

ReCAAP – hijacked/missing tug boats and barges

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre issued a Special Report on hijacked/missing tug boats and barges in Asia. Five incidents of hijacking and missing tug boats towing barges were reported during the period March-June 2011. This represents a significant increase in such incidents over recent years. Owners, operators, and masters of tugs operating in Asia should adopt best management practices to minimize the risk of hijacking. (6/29/11).

Australia – up to 24 Navy ships to be sold

The Australian Minister for Defence Material Jason Clare issued a media release stating that over the next 15 years the Australian Defence Force will replace or upgrade up to 85% of its equipment. This will include disposal of up to 24 ships. Submission of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the HMAS Manoora will close on 15 September 2011. Submission of RFPs for all other ships, including Adelaide Class frigates and Mine Hunters, will close on 14 October 2011. (6/29/11). Note: The HMAS Manoora is a Landing Platform Amphibious ship. It was recently decommissioned. This is a sad turn of events for Australia and its proud defence forces.

Australia – REEFREP and REEFVTS changes

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a notice advising of changes to the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Vessel Traffic Service. The mandatory reporting system (REEFREP) and the vessel traffic service (REEFVTS) have both been extended south along the east coast of Queensland to encompass the entire Great Barrier Reef. These changes come into effect on 1 July 2011. Marine Notice 7/2011 (6/24/11).

Australia – new and revised charges for marine services

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a notice advising that, effective 4 July 2011, a new fee structure for marine services and ship registration will come into effect. Marine Notice 8/2011 (6/24/11).

India & Mozambique – maritime security agreement

The Indian Ministry of Defence issued a press release stating that India and Mozambique have agreed to cooperate on maritime security in the Indian Ocean. The agreement deals with joint activities including maritime counter-piracy patrolling of the Mozambican coast. (6/29/11).

Singapore – recent IMO resolutions

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a circular drawing attention to two resolutions recently adopted by the IMO. The first establishes special requirements for use or carriage of oils in the Antarctic area, including the prohibition of the use or carriage of heavy grade oil in the area. The second designates the North American Emission Control Area (ECA) for the control of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions. Shipping Circular 13-2011 (6/28/11).

UK – MAIB annual report

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued its Annual Report 2010. (6/29/11). Note: Possibly the most interesting part of this document is the Chief Inspector’s Report. It notes that mandate to reduce funding and then points out that a new EU Directive will require MAIB to investigate and prepare published reports on substantially more casualties than previously, even in those cases that do not involve significant safety issues or lead to substantial safety recommendations.

UK – safety bulletin re boat davit proximity switch

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued a safety bulletin regarding the malfunction of a proximity switch, which resulted in failure of the fall wire of a rescue boat with the loss of one life on a car carrier. Among other things, the MAIB recommends that all devices fitted to boat davit systems to prevent overload are tested on each occasion before a boat is hoisted and that such devices are not relied upon during operation. Safety Bulletin 2/2011 (6/29/11).

UK – safety bulletin re overweight rescue boat

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued a safety bulletin regarding overweight rescue boats. During an investigation into the failure of a fall wire of a rescue boat with the loss of one life, it was discovered that the rescue boat was significantly over its design weight. Further analysis revealed that water had entered the integral polyurethane foam-filled compartments, where it was retained. The MAIB recommends that boat hulls be inspected for possible holes, cracks, or fittings through which water may penetrate and the drain plugs are regularly opened to allow for removal of excess water. Safety Bulletin 1/2011 (6/29/11).

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