Bryant’s Maritime Blog–16 August 2011

Commencing 1 September 2011, my Blogspot blog will no longer be updated. Instead, readers should go to the blog on my official website, located at http://brymar-consulting.com/?page_id=6 . I apologize for any inconvenience, but my official website has the same information and more.

Headlines:

MERPAC – meeting of work group;

MERPAC – meeting;

San Pedro Bay – proposed amendments to security zones;

USCG – correction regarding Great Lakes pilotage rates;

DOT – grants to small shipyards;

Ireland – fisheries enforcement in UK waters;

Gulf of Aden – suspected pirates intercepted;

Somalia – pirates released hijacked vessel; and

UK – modernizing Customs and Excise Law.

August 16, 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. Remembering the future.

MERPAC – meeting of work group

A work group of the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC), sponsored by the US Coast Guard, will meet in Washington, DC on September 8 and 9 to discuss Task Statement 75, entitled “Review of the Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Concerning the Implementation of the Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, and Changes to Domestic Endorsements.” 76 Fed. Reg. 50746 (August 16, 2011). Note: Readers are reminded that, while the focus on the rulemaking project is on implementation of the 2010 amendments to the STCW Convention, it includes various provisions that relate to some US mariners to which the Convention is not directly applicable.

MERPAC – meeting

The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC), sponsored by the US Coast Guard, will meet in Washington, DC on October 6 and 7 to discuss issues related to the training and fitness of US merchant marine personnel. 76 Fed. Reg. 50744 (August 16, 2011).

San Pedro Bay – proposed amendments to security zones

The US Coast Guard proposes to amend its regulations regarding security zones around cruise ships in San Pedro Bay by providing for a uniform 100 yard radius on navigable waters around any cruise ship within the San Pedro Bay port area landward of the sea buoys. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by September 15. 76 Fed. Reg. 50710 (August 16, 2011).

USCG – correction regarding Great Lakes pilotage rates

The US Coast Guard issued a correction to its earlier proposal regarding 2012 rates for pilotage on the Great Lakes. The correction provides four rows that were inadvertently omitted from a table and corrects a misspelled column heading. 76 Fed. Reg. 50713 (August 16, 2011).

DOT – grants to small shipyards

The Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a news release stating that the Maritime Administration (MARAD) has awarded grants totaling $9.98 million to thirteen small shipyards to modernize facilities, increase production, and help make the yards more competitive. (8/15/11).

Ireland – fisheries enforcement in UK waters

The Irish Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) issued a news release stating that an Irish fishing vessel was inspected at sea, detained, and brought into port by the Irish Navy for possible license and registration infringements. Among other things, the vessel was suspected of illegally fishing in UK waters. In one of the more unique aspects of the incident, permission was sought and obtained from the UK government to enable the Irish Navy vessel to enter UK waters and undertake enforcement action. (8/8/11).

Gulf of Aden – suspected pirates intercepted

The Royal New Zealand Navy reported that the USS Anzio, a component of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, currently under command of Captain James Gilmour, RNZN, intercepted a suspected pirate skiff in the Gulf of Aden. The occupants of the skiff threw material (suspected pirate paraphernalia) overboard as the Anzio approached. (8/13/11).

Somalia – pirates release hijacked vessel

The Indian Ministry of Shipping issued a press release stating that the M/V Sinin has been released by Somali pirates, The vessel was hijacked on February 12 when she as 315 nautical miles off Masirah, Oman, with a crew of 21, including nine Indian nationals. All are reported safe. (8/15/11).

UK – modernizing Customs and Excise Law

HM Revenue and Customs issued a notice stating that it is seeking proposals for updating the provisions of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (CEMA) and other customs and excise legislation with a view to simplifying the legislation, closing tax gaps, removing burdens on business, and strengthening the UK’s borders. Proposals should be submitted by 7 November. (8/15/11).

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 – August 2011

Redistribution permitted with attribution