Headlines: DHS – OIG report on USCG offshore vessel inspections; USCG – new merchant mariners commissioned as Ensigns; BOEMRE – reorganization explained; Senate – bill introduced re capital construction funds; House – bill introduced re capital construction funds; EU – Entry Summary Declaration filing; EC – investigation re restructuring of SeaFrance; and UK – review of government support for maritime training.
June 23, 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.
DHS – OIG report on USCG offshore vessel inspections
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) release the report of its examination of the Coast Guard’s Offshore Vessel Inspection Program. It found that 99% of such inspections were conducted by qualified personnel and did not identify any instances of uninspected offshore vessels. It found, though, that all the guidance needed by inspectors to perform the inspections and record the results had not been developed and implemented. A formal review process for domestic vessel inspection data had not been established. As a result, the Coast Guard cannot determine its current or future resource requirements for this program. OIG-11-86 (6/22/11).
USCG – new merchant mariners commissioned as Ensigns
The Coast Guard Compass included an article reporting that thirteen of the most recent graduates of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York accepted appointments as Ensigns in the US Coast Guard. They also received their diplomas and their licenses as merchant mariners. (6/22/11).
BOEMRE – reorganization explained
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) posted remarks delivered by BOEMRE Director Michael Bromwich explaining the upcoming reorganization of the agency into three separate agencies and the rationale for the change, scheduled to take place on October 1. (6/22/11).
Senate – bill introduced re capital construction funds
Senator Wyden (R-OR) introduced a bill (S. 1208) to provide an election to terminate certain capital construction funds without penalties. (6/15/11).
House – bill introduced re capital construction funds
Representative Young (R-AK) introduced a bill (H.R. 2241) to provide an election to terminate certain capital construction funds without penalties. (6/16/11).
EU – Entry Summary Declaration filing
The European Union (EU) and its member states will commence full enforcement of Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) requirement effective 1 July 2011. The requirement for ENS filing 24 hours before cargo destined for an EU port is loaded on a ship came into force on 1 January 2011, but compliance has not been strictly enforced for the first six months. (6/22/11). Note: This item was brought to my attention by my good friend Louis J. Le Gendre of International Shipping & Logistics.
EC – investigation re restructuring of SeaFrance
The European Commission (EC) issued a press release stating that it has opened a formal investigation to examine whether the €223 million recapitalization plan for SeaFrance by the SNCF is compatible with EU rules on state aid. The Commission will consider in particular whether the company can realistically become viable in the long term without public support and whether its participation in the restructuring costs is sufficient. SeaFrance provides maritime transport services (passengers and freight) on the Calais-Dover route. The opening of an investigation gives third parties the opportunity to comment and does not prejudge the outcome of the procedure. (6/22/11).
UK – review of government support for maritime training
The UK Department for Transport (DfT) posted the statement of Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Mike Penning regarding government support for maritime training. An invitation to tender has been launched to establish an independent panel to make practical recommendations on how the economic requirement for trained seafarers in the UK can be best met, having regard to the current financial constraints. The findings are due by the end of the year. (6/22/11).
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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