Bryant’s Maritime Blog–22 August 2011

Commencing 1 September 2011, this 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:

Puerto Rico and Florida – Hurricane Irene;

DOJ – alleged Somali hostage negotiator indicted again;

Duluth-Superior – maritime security training exercise;

Tampa – test of small craft intrusion barrier;

USCG – Mariner Credentialing Program List Servers;

BOEMRE – SEIS for Chukchi Sea lease sale;

MARAD – TIGER grant webinar;

Coral Reef Task Force – meeting;

Court – houseboat is a vessel and subject to admiralty jurisdiction;

Australia – navigation safety in vicinity of barges;

Australia – minimizing ship strikes with cetaceans; and

Australia – receipt of Maritime Security Information.

August 22, 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.

Puerto Rico and Florida – Hurricane Irene

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that Port Condition ZULU has been set for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands as Hurricane Irene passes through. This means that ports in those waters are closed to maritime traffic. (8/21/11). Note: The forecast is for Hurricane Irene to track up the Atlantic coast of Florida on Friday. Vessels and port facilities that may be impacted should review their heavy weather plans and start taking appropriate action now.

DOJ – alleged Somali hostage negotiator indicted again

The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a news release stating that the Somali national who has been indicted for being the hostage negotiator with respect to the hijacked US sailing vessel Quest has now been indicted for being the hostage negotiator with respect to the M/V Marida Marguerite. The Marida Marguerite was hijacked in May 2010. It and its 22 crewmembers were held off the coast of Somalia until December 2010, when a ransom was paid by the owner. The indictment alleges that Mohammad Saaili Shibin negotiated the payment of ransom and received approximately $30,000 to $50,000 from the pirates for his services. (8/18/11).

Duluth-Superior – maritime security training exercise

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that a multi-agency, full-scale maritime security training exercise will be held in the Port of Duluth-Superior on August 24. (8/19/11).

Tampa – test of small craft intrusion barrier

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that a joint maritime security exercise was conducted in the Port of Tampa to test the capabilities of a Small Craft Intrusion Barrier (SCIB). (8/19/11).

USCG – Mariner Credentialing Program List Servers

The US Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) issued a bulletin updating the status of its Mariner Credentialing Program List Server. Interested parties may sign up for one or more of the three available lists. (8/18/11).

BOEMRE – SEIS for Chukchi Sea lease sale

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) issued a press release stating that it released a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Chukchi Sea Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193. The Final SEIS addresses concerns raised in a federal district court decision, incorporates additional public comment, and includes a new analysis of the environmental impacts of a hypothetical Very Large Oil Spill (VLOS) scenario. (8/19/11).

MARAD – TIGER grant webinar

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued a notice stating that it will conduct a webinar on August 30 to explain TIGER grant opportunities. (8/19/11).

Coral Reef Task Force – meeting

The US Coral Reef Task Force, sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will meet in Fort Lauderdale on October 21. 76 Fed. Reg. 51383 (August 22, 2011).

Court – houseboat is a vessel and subject to admiralty jurisdiction

The US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled that an undocumented houseboat is a vessel for purposes of admiralty jurisdiction. The 33-page decision involves efforts by a municipal marina to enforce its rules and efforts by the owner of one of the vessel’s at the marina to resist changes in the rules. City of Riviera Beach v. Certain Unnamed Vessel, No. 10-10695 (11th Cir., August 19, 2011).

Australia – navigation safety in the vicinity of barges

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a notice reminding seafarers, others involved in the operation of barges, and those engaged in operations in the vicinity of barges, of aspects of the COLREGS which relate to safe operations. Marine Notice 11/2011 (8/19/11).

Australia – minimizing ship strikes with cetaceans

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a notice providing guidance in reducing the risk of collision with cetaceans (e.g., whales, dolphins, porpoises). Seafarers are reminded that the Australian Whale Sanctuary encompasses all Commonwealth waters from the three nautical mile state waters limit out to the limit of the EEZ. Marine Notice 12/2011 (8/19/11).

Australia – receipt of Maritime Safety Information

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a notice reminding masters that all ships transiting NAVAREA X or otherwise approaching the Australian coast should ensure that they can receive all Maritime Safety Information (MSI) necessary for the intended voyage. This generally can be done by configuring the vessel’s Inmarsat-C Enhanced Group Calling (EGC) receivers for the NAVAREA X and coastal warning areas appropriate for the intended voyage. Marine Notice 13/2011 (8/19/11).

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