Bryant’s Maritime Blog–5 July 2011

Headlines: USCG – qualification as OIC of navigational watch; OMB – Inspection of Towing Vessels proposal cleared; EPA & USACE – waters protected by Clean Water Act; DOT – TIGER II Discretionary Grant Program; ACRCC – Asian carp meeting; EMSA & Paris MOU – PSC reporting requirements; EC – investigation of Spanish financing of ships; Australia – expansion of REEFVTS; New Zealand – Maritime NZ Statement of Intent; UK – MCA & RN rescue mariners in distress.

July 5, 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. Searching for the Higgs bison.

USCG – qualification as OIC of navigational watch

The US Coast Guard issued guidance regarding appropriate qualifications for STCW endorsements as office in charge (OIC) of a navigational watch on ships of 200 GRT / 500 GT or more for applicants qualifying for an officer endorsement (license) through in-service experience (“via the hawsepipe”) rather than completing a comprehensive, Coast Guard-approved program such as that offered at a maritime academy. Note that the guidance and its attachments consist of 107 pages. CG-543 Policy Letter 11-07 (June 17, 2011).

OMB – Inspection of Towing Vessels proposal cleared

The US Coast Guard proposed rule on Inspection of Towing Vessels has been cleared by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) should be published in the Federal Register later in July. (6/30/11).

EPA & USACE – waters protected by Clean Water Act

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued a notice stating that the period within which to submit comments on draft guidance that describes how the agencies identify waters protected by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) [also referred to as the Clean Water Act (CWA)] has been extended to July 31. 76 Fed. Reg. 39101 (July 5, 2011).

DOT – TIGER II Discretionary Grant Program

The Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a notice stating that funding is available under the TIGER II Discretionary Grant Program for qualifying transportation projects. Comments on the proposed selection criteria should be received by July 18. Pre-applications should be submitted by October 3. Final applications should be submitted by October 31. 76 Fed. Reg. 38719 (July 1, 2011).

ACRCC – Asian carp meeting

The Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ACRCC) issued a news release stating that it will host a public meeting in Port Clinton, Ohio on July 7 to discuss proactive efforts to prevent Asian carp from establishing a self-sustaining population in the Great Lakes. (6/29/11).

EMSA & Paris MOU – PSC reporting requirements

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) posted a notice providing links to the port state control (PSC) reporting requirements of various member states of the Paris MOU. (7/1/11).

EC – investigation of Spanish financing of ships

The European Commission (EC) issued a press release stating that it has launched an in-depth investigation to check whether a Spanish scheme for the purchase of ships involving leasing and financing through tax relief is compatible with EU rules on state aid. (7/1/11).

Australia – expansion of REEFVTS

The Government of Australia and the Government of Queensland issued a joint media statement reminding stakeholders that the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Vessel Traffic Service (REEFVTS) has been extended to include the entire Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. All large ocean-going vessels are required to regularly report their position in and planned route through those waters. (7/1/11).

New Zealand – Maritime NZ Statement of Intent

Maritime New Zealand posted its Statement of Intent 2011-2014. The statement indicates that no significant changes are planned in the direction that the agency has been moving in recent years: seeking a vibrant, viable maritime community that works and plays safely and securely on clean waters. (7/1/11).

UK – MCA and RN rescue mariners in distress

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a press release stating that it and the Royal Navy worked together to rescue 13 Indian crewmen from a disabled tanker in the North Arabian Gulf. The crewmen contacted the MCA to report that the vessel has lost propulsion and was taking on water. The MCA contacted the Royal Navy, which dispatched a warship on patrol in the vicinity. An Indian merchant vessel also responded. A helicopter from the warship transferred the crewmen to the merchant vessel. (7/1/11).

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 – July 2011

Redistribution permitted with attribution