Headlines: Lake Michigan – limited service domestic voyage load lines; DHS – retrospective review of existing regulations; NOAA – search for ships lost during WWII; FMC – re-opened after power outage; BOEMRE – reporting effects of hurricanes; House – hearing on recovery from Gulf oil spill; House – hearing on wind and solar power; Gibraltar – North Mole fire extinguished; Malta – revision of registration fees and tonnage tax; UK – report on bulker making contact with bridge counterweight; UK – report on fatal man overboard; Hurricane season begins for 2011; D-Day – June 6, 1944; and Hurricane season begins for 2011.
June 6, 2011
Bryant’s Maritime Blog 
Bryant’s Maritime Consulting - 4845 SW 91st 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.
Lake Michigan – limited service domestic voyage load lines
The US Coast Guard promulgated a rule amending the special load line exemption regime for certain river barges operating on Lake Michigan, as established by the final rule published on November 18, 2010. Specifically, the weather restrictions based on Small Craft Advisory conditions are being replaced with the original weather restrictions implemented in 2002 by an interim rule. The amendment comes into effect on June 15. 76 Fed. Reg. 32323 (June 6, 2011).
DHS – retrospective review of existing regulations
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seeks comments on its Preliminary Plan for Retrospective Review of Existing Regulations. Comments should be submitted by June 25. 76 Fed. Reg. 32331 (June 6, 2011).
NOAA – search for ships lost during WWII
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a news release stating that it will lead a summer research expedition off the coast of North Carolina to locate wrecks of ships sunk in 1942 during the Battle of the Atlantic. Among other things, the expedition will seek to locate the tanker Bluefields and the German submarine U-576. (6/3/11).
FMC – re-opened after power outage
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a news release stating that its headquarters in Washington, DC has reopened. It was closed on June 1 and 2 due to a power outage. (6/3/11).
BOEMRE – reporting effects of hurricanes
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) issued a press release stating that it has issued guidelines to offshore oil and gas operators on reporting the effects of hurricanes and tropical storms. (6/3/11).
House – hearing on recovery from Gulf oil spill
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform conducted a hearing regarding “Making the Gulf Coast Whole Again: Assessing the Recovery Efforts of BP and the Obama Administration After the Spill”. (6/2/11).
House – hearing on wind and solar power
![clip_image014[1]](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r51Rsropzrs/TeyyVSMC_WI/AAAAAAAAPLg/N3XIQGmkdKc/s1600-h/clip_image014%25255B1%25255D%25255B2%25255D.gif "clip_image014[1]"){kind=small}
The House Committee on Natural Resources conducted a hearing regarding “Identifying Roadblocks to Wind and Solar Energy on Public Lands and Waters”. (6/1/11).
Gibraltar – North Mole fire extinguished
The Government of Gibraltar issued a press release stating that the fire at the sullage plant on the North Mole has been extinguished. Investigations will now focus on the causes of the fire. In addition, the Gibraltar Port Authority will carry out an analysis to assess Port Operational aspects of the matter and determine whether there is need for changes. (6/1/11).
Malta – revision of registration fees and tonnage tax
Transport Malta issued a Notice stating that the registration fees and tonnage tax for ships registered under the Malta flag are being revised. The fees for ancillary services are also under revision. (6/3/11).
UK – report on bulker making contact with bridge counterweight
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued the report of its investigation into contact with a swing bridge in the Port of Liverpool by a bulk carrier on 11 December 2010. The bulk carrier was being maneuvered stern-first from the Langton Dock to the Alexandra Dock, when it was caught in a cross-wind. The hull made contact with the relatively new counterweight on the swing bridge. As a result, the hull was pierced in way of a fuel tank and about 330 tons of fuel oil was spilled. Investigation revealed that, when the bridge was lengthened, a large counterweight was added. The counterweight extended beyond the dock wall, presenting a hazard to ships in the vicinity. No formal risk assessment was conducted when the bridge was refurbished. Report 10/2011 (6/2/11).
UK – report on fatal man overboard
![clip_image020[1]](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nxT7vPnbsQs/TeyyYtqahiI/AAAAAAAAPMA/lrpwJAjdpic/s1600-h/clip_image020%25255B1%25255D%25255B2%25255D.gif "clip_image020[1]"){kind=small}
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued the report of its investigation into a fatal man overboard from a cargo vessel in Glasgow on 13 December 2010. Investigation revealed that the crewman almost certainly fell while climbing up to the port side platform of the straddle lift used to move the vessel’s cargo hatch covers. The investigation also revealed that the crewman was working while under the influence of alcohol; the means of access to the straddle lift platforms used by the crew was unsafe; the opening and closing of cargo hatch covers had not been assessed as a risk; and important personal protective equipment was either not available on board or was not fit for purpose. Report 8/2011 (6/2/11).
D-Day – June 6, 1944
Today marks the 67th anniversary of D-Day, the greatest sea-borne invasion in history, when the allies assembled a vast armada of over 5,000 ships to land troops on the beaches of Normandy. Many brave people, on the allied side, the axis side, and the civilian populace, were killed or injured during the invasion, which eventually resulted in the end of World War II. Museums and monuments have been erected to mark the event. Peace would be the ultimate memorial.
Hurricane season begins for 2011
![clip_image004[1]](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FTQeeiYNXl4/TeyyaLPH44I/AAAAAAAAPMQ/Pr37HzSZ4YE/s1600-h/clip_image004%25255B1%25255D%25255B2%25255D.gif "clip_image004[1]"){kind=small}
June 1 marked the beginning of hurricane season in the North Atlantic. Preparation starts with reviewing your hurricane plan and applicable government plans. I have compiled the Hurricane and Heavy Weather Contingency Plans promulgated by the various US Coast Guard sectors. (6/4/11). Note: Many thanks for my friends at Sector Corpus Christi for noticing that I had not included the latest version of their hurricane plan. If other plans have been updated, please advise.
If you have questions regarding the above items, please contact the editor:
Dennis L. Bryant
Bryant’s Maritime Consulting
4845 SW 91st Way
Gainesville, FL 32608-8135
USA
1-352-692-5493
dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com
© Dennis L. Bryant – June 2011
Redistribution permitted with attribution
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