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:
DOJ – False Claims Act suit filed against shipyards;
BOEMRE – leasing for wind power off RI & MA;
BOEMRE – EA for wind power leasing off RI & MA;
USCG – waiver of citizenship requirements for fishing vessel crew;
FMC – filing of complaint;
DON – nominations for Ocean Research Advisory Panel;
DOT – funding for passenger ferry projects;
MARAD – registration open for WOW Conference;
House – bill introduced re taxation of oil spill damage payments; and
Panama Canal - visibility requirements.
August 18, 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. Remembering the future.
DOJ – False Claims Act suit filed against shipyards
The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a news release stating that suit has been filed in federal court under the False Claims Act against Ballinger Shipyards Lockport LLC and Halter Bollinger Joint Venture LLC regarding a contract to convert eight Coast Guard patrol boats by extending their hulls and making additional improvements. The suit alleges that the defendants made material false statements to the Coast Guard during the contracting process. (8/17/11).
BOEMRE – leasing for wind power off RI &MA
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) issued a notice calling for information and nominations for commercial leasing for wind power on the outer continental shelf (OCS) offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Nominations must be postmarked by October 3. 76 Fed. Reg. 51383 (August 18, 2011). The Department of the Interior issued a news release in conjunction with this initiative.
BOEMRE – EA for wind power leasing off RI & MA
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) issued a notice stating that it intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding commercial wind energy lease issuance and site characterization activities on the Atlantic outer continental shelf (OCS) offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts. 76 Fed. Reg. 51391 (August 18, 2011).
USCG – waiver of citizenship requirements re fishing vessel crew
The US Coast Guard proposes to add to its regulations a description of the procedures for requesting and processing waivers of citizenship requirements for crewmembers on commercial fishing vessels. The current policy is addressed in a policy letter, which will largely be incorporated into regulations under this proposal. Comments should be submitted by November 16. 76 Fed. Reg. 51317 (August 18, 2011).
FMC – filing of complaint
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a notice stating that a complaint has been filed by a group of ocean common carriers against the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ). Complainants allege that PANYNJ has violated the Shipping Act of 1984 by adopting a “Cargo Facility Charge” which is unlawful because complainants do not receive services commensurate with the fee; because the charge severely and unreasonably prejudices complainants while unduly preferring other users of the port’s facilities; and because the charge and the rules applying it provide for unlawful expulsion of complainants from the port. 76 Fed. Reg. 51367 (August 18, 2011).
DON – nominations for Ocean Research Advisory Panel
The Department of the Navy is soliciting nominations for membership on the Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP). Nominations should be submitted by September 15. 76 Fed. Reg. 51353 (August 18, 2011).
DOT – funding for passenger ferry projects
The Department of Transportation issued a news release announcing grants in excess of $413 million for state highway projects. Some of the projects are for passenger ferries, including $2 million to convert one of the Staten Island ferries to natural gas fuel. (8/17/11).
MARAD – registration open for WOW Conference
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued a news release stating that registration is now open for the fifth annual Women on the Water (WOW) Conference to be held on October 27-29 at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay. (8/16/11).
House – bill introduced re taxation of oil spill damage payments
Representative Palazzo (R-MS) introduced a bill (H.R. 2821) to allow damage payments from BP in connection with the blowout and explosion on the offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon to be included in gross income ratably over 3 years. Official text of the bill is not yet available. (8/16/11).
Panama Canal – visibility requirements
The Panama Canal Authority issued an advisory reminding customers of visibility requirements for the navigation bridge. Advisory 16-2011 (8/15/11).
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 – August 2011
Redistribution permitted with attribution
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