Blog – 2 March 2009

March 2, 2009

Bryant’s Maritime Blog

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USCG – meeting re NOAD and AIS

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that it will hold a second public meeting to receive comments on its proposal to amend regulations governing the Notice of Arrival and Departure (NOAD) and the carriage of Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment. The second meeting will be held in Seattle on March 25. This meeting is in addition to the previously scheduled meeting in Washington, DC on March 5. 74 Fed. Reg. 9071 (March 2, 2009).

DRBOSAC – meeting

The Delaware River and Bay Oil Spill Advisory Committee, sponsored by the US Coast Guard, will meet in Philadelphia on March 18 to discuss issues related to improving oil spill prevention and response strategies for the Delaware River and Bay. 74 Fed. Reg. 9098 (March 2, 2009).

NOAA – Thunder Bay NMS management plan

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a news release stating that it is seeking comments on the draft management plan for the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (NMS) in Lake Huron. (2/27/09).

FCC – vessel owner fined for EPIRB violation

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a forfeiture order imposing a fine of $5,500 against the owner of a fishing vessel for falsely activating an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) resulting in the transmission of false distress communications. The US Coast Guard had expended 3.5 hours of fixed-wing response time (costing $35,000) to investigate the distress signal. A crewmember of the fishing vessel had thrown the old EPIRB overboard after the owner purchased a new one. The owner did not deny the facts, but asserted that the crewmember did not know what an EPIRB was and there was no intent to transmit the distress signal. The owner also asserted that it lacked the ability to pay the originally assessed amount of $8,000. The Commission ruled that the license holder (owner) is vicariously responsible for the acts of its employees. It did, though, reduce the amount of the forfeiture. (2/27/09). [This item was brought to my attention through the thoughtfulness of Stephen Johnson of Garvey Schubert Barer.]

USN – pirate attack in Gulf of Aden thwarted

The US Navy issued a news release stating that the Danish Navy flexible support ship HDMS ABSALON successfully deterred an attempted pirate attack on a Chinese merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden. (2/26/09).

"MARAD – small shipyard grant program

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued a news release stating that the Small Shipyard Grant Program has been funded in the amount of $100 million for 2009. The program funds up to 75% of qualifying projects at small US shipyards. Applications must be filed by April 20. (2/26/09).

USCG – rescue award to be presented to crew of Korean ship

The US Coast Guard issued a press release stating that, in Jacksonville on March 2, it will present an award to the crew of the Korean vessel AUTO BANNER for their rescue of the sole survivor of a sailboat that capsized and sank on January 22 approximately 180 miles south of Madagascar. The ship participates in the AMVER program, which requested that it divert to the scene of the casualty. (2/27/09).

San Francisco – TWIC requirement

The US Coast Guard issued a press release stating that, effective February 28, individuals may be granted unescorted access to regulated facilities in the San Francisco Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone only if they carry a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). (2/27/09).

Seattle – smooth TWIC implementation

The US Coast Guard issued a press release stating that implementation of the Transportation Identification Worker Credential (TWIC) program within the Seattle Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone went smoothly. Of 270 port employees randomly checked by the Coast Guard, all except one had their cards, and that individual had applied for a TWIC but it had not yet been received. (2/28/09).

Bill introduced re offshore oil and gas development

Representative Poe (R-TX) introduced the Developing Resources Immediately and Long-term Through Leases on our Nation’s Offshore Waters Act of 2009 or “DRILL NOW Act of 2009” (H.R. 1143) to achieve greater national energy independence by limiting presidential withdrawals of offshore lands from disposition for exploration, development, or production of oil and gas, to authorize States to petition for authorization to conduct offshore oil and natural gas exploration and extraction in any area that is within 50 miles of the coastline of the State and within the seaward lateral boundaries of the State extended, to share offshore oil and gas revenues with States, and for other purposes. Note: For what it’s worth, I disapprove of the practice of inventing convoluted names for legislative bills for the sole purpose of coming up with an acronym. (2/24/09).

IMO – building contract date, keel laying date & delivery date

The IMO issued a circular forwarding a unified interpretation of the application of regulations governed by the building contract date, the keel laying date, and the delivery date for the requirements of the SOLAS and MARPOL Conventions. MSC-MEPC.5/Circ.4 (12/16/08).

IMO – inconsistencies between Facilitation Convention and EC legislation

The IMO issued a circular forwarding a communication from the Government of the Netherlands pointing out inconsistencies between some provisions of the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, 1965 and provisions of European Community legislation. The Netherlands will act in conformity with the EC legislation as regards these differences. FAL.3/Circ.193 (11/26/08).

IMO – disembarking persons rescued at sea

The IMO issued a circular providing principles relating to administrative procedures for disembarking persons rescued at sea. The primary goals are efficiency, predictability, and ensuring that any necessary screening and status assessment of rescued persons be carried out after disembarkation. FAL.3/Circ.194 (1/22/09).

EMSA – newsletter

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) released the February edition of its newsletter. Among the topics discussed in the newsletter are the mobilization of an oil spill recovery vessel following the spill off the coast of Ireland and the recent EMSA workshop on greenhouse gas emissions from ships. (2/27/09).

UK – ships under detention

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a press notice stating that, during the month of January, it detained seven foreign vessels for deficiencies under various international conventions. (2/25/09).

If you have questions regarding the above items, please contact the editor:

Dennis L. Bryant

Bryant’s Maritime Blog

4845 SW 91^st Way
Gainesville, FL 32608-8135

USA

1-352-692-5493
dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com

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© Dennis L. Bryant – March 2009

Redistribution permitted with attribution