Bryant’s Maritime Blog–23 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:

DOJ – Somali pirates sentenced to life imprisonment;

USCG – Hurricane Irene;

Arthur Kill – RNA;

FAA – underwater locating devices;

NOAA – Marine Operations Center – Pacific dedicated;

USAF – GPS Block IIF satellite;

IMO – WMD – Piracy: orchestrating the response;

Australia – marine occurrences 2005-2010;

Canada – maritime SAR exercise in High Arctic;

Hong Kong – marine works; and

Oman – anchored tanker hijacked.

August 23, 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.

DOJ – Somali pirates sentenced to life imprisonment

The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a news release stating that two Somali nationals have been sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to piracy in the death of four Americans on board the sailing vessel Quest. (8/22/11).

USCG – Hurricane Irene

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that the ports in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands have been reopened now that Hurricane Irene was passed through the area. A second news release states that Port Condition WHISKEY has been set for the Ports of Miami and Fort Lauderdale as the hurricane approaches. (8/22/11). Note: Copies of the Hurricane and Heavy Weather Plans for the various USCG Sectors are available on my website at: Hurricane Contingency Plans.

Arthur Kill – RNA

The US Coast Guard promulgated a temporary interim rule establishing a regulated navigation area (RNA) on certain navigable waters of the Arthur Kill in the Port of New York and New Jersey. This rule is necessary to enhance navigation and safety during drilling, blasting, and dredging operations in support of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) channel deepening project. The RNA will be in effect through April 1, 2014. Comments on this temporary interim rule should be submitted by September 22. 76 Fed. Reg. 52569 (August 23, 2011).

FAA – underwater locating devices

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice announcing the planned revocation of all current Technical Standard Order authorizations (TSOAs) issued for the production of Underwater Locating Devices (Acoustic)(Self-Powered). These actions are necessary because the planned issuance of a new TSOA will increase the minimum operating life of such devices from 30 days to 90 days. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by November 21. 76 Fed. Reg. 52734 (August 23, 2011).

NOAA – Marine Operations Center – Pacific dedicated

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a news release stating that its new Marine Operations Center – Pacific facility, located in Newport, Oregon, has been dedicated. It will serve as a homeport for four NOAA research and survey ships. (8/20/11).

USAF – GPS Block IIF satellite

The US Air Force (USAF) issued a news release stating that command and control of the second Global Positioning System (GPS) Block IIF satellite has been transferred to the USAF 50th Space Wing’s 2nd Space Operations Squadron, following a 30-day on-orbit checkout period. This next-generation satellite will provide improved accuracy through advanced atomic clocks, a longer design life, and a third civil signal (L5) that will eventually benefit commercial aviation and safety-of-life applications. (8/19/11).

IMO – WMD – Piracy: orchestrating the response

The IMO launched its Action Plan to promote the 2011 World Maritime Day theme “Piracy: orchestrating the response”. The five objectives in promotion of this theme consist of: (1) securing the release of hostages; (2) strengthening the protection of persons, ship, and cargoes; (3) ensuring compliance with adopted measures; (4) promoting cooperation among stakeholders; and (5) building capacity in the affected States. World Maritime Day events are being held worldwide to further this theme. One of the two US observances of this initiative will be the Western Gulf Observance to be held in Port Arthur on September 29.

Australia – marine occurrences 2005-2010

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) posted its report entitled Australian Shipping Occurrence Statistics 2005 to 2010. A total of 546 marine occurrences were reported to the ATSB during the period. While there were decreases in reported occurrences in 2008 to 2010, the number of serious incidents remained fairly constant. The Western Australian and Queensland coasts had the most marine occurrences. (8/22/11).

Canada – maritime SAR exercise in High Arctic

The Canadian Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans issued a media release stating that the Canadian Coast Guard is leading a maritime search and rescue (SAR) exercise in waters of Strathcona Sound on northern Baffin Island, Nunavut. The exercise is part of Operation Nanook 11, Canada’s annual whole-of-government sovereignty operation in the High Arctic. (8/19/11).

Hong Kong – marine works

The Hong Kong Marine Department issued a notice stating that, with immediate effect and for a period of approximately eight months, marine works involving dredging operations, laying of water pipeline, and backfilling operations will be carried out from the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre to Tsim Sha Tsui. Mariners should give these operations a wide berth. Marine Notice 87-2011 (8/22/11).

Oman – anchored tanker hijacked

The EU NAVFOR issued a press release stating that the tanker Fairchem Bogey was hijacked by suspected Somali pirates while anchored off Salalah, Oman. The vessel, with its crew of 21, is headed toward the Somali coast. (8/22/11).

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