Bryant’s Maritime Blog–21 April 2011

Headlines: White House – one-year anniversary of Gulf oil spill; CSB – Deepwater Horizon accident investigation continues; DOD – charges filed against USS Cole bombing suspect; DHS – National Terrorism Advisory System; EPA – NESHAP for marine tank vessel loading operations; NIST – National Fire Codes – proposals for revision; NIST – National Fire Codes – request for comments; Columbia River – cofferdam completed around derelict barge; House – bill introduced re HMT exemption; House – bill introduced to amend OPA 90; House – bill introduced re safety at manned offshore installations; Senate – bill introduced to reauthorize port security programs; Senate – bill introduced to coordinate OCS leases and permits; and UAE – Final Declaration of Counter-Piracy Conference.

April 21, 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. “Honesty is the best policy, but insanity is a better defense.” (Steve Landesburg).

White House – one-year anniversary of Gulf oil spill

The White House released the Statement of President Obama marking the one-year anniversary of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. He notes that we remember the eleven lives lost as a result of this tragic event and thank the thousands of responders who worked to mitigate this disaster. (4/20/11).

CSB – Deepwater Horizon accident investigation continues

The Chemical Safety Board (CSB) issued a news release stating that its investigation of the Deepwater Horizon accident continues. The first component of the investigation is intended to determine if the current and proposed US regulatory scheme can adequately prevent another major accident and protect offshore workers. (4/20/11).

DOD – charges filed against USS Cole bombing suspect

The Department of Defense (DOD) issued a news release stating that the chief prosecutor of the DOD Office of Military Commissions has recommended that capital charges be brought against Abd al Rahim Hussayn Muhammad al Nashiri, the alleged mastermind behind the October 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in the Port of Aden, Yemen. That suicide bombing resulted in the death of 17 US Navy personnel and the wounding of 40 others. The charges assert that Nashiri also planned the attempted bombing of the USS The Sullivans in January 2000 and the attack on the tanker Limburg off the coast of Yemen on October 6, 2002. Nashiri is currently in the detention facility at Guantanamo. (4/20/11).

DHS – National Terrorism Advisory System

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is implementing the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS), replacing the former color-coded alert system. The NTAS alerts will provide a concise summary of the potential threat including geographic region, mode of transportation or critical infrastructure potentially affected, actions being taken to ensure public safety, and recommended steps to prevent, mitigate, or respond to the threat. The threat will be defined as either an “Elevated Threat”, warning of a creditable terrorist threat against the United States; or an “Imminent Threat”, warning of a creditable, specific, and impending terrorist threat against the United States. Additional detail regarding the new system is provided in the NTAS Guide. (4/20/11).

EPA – NESHAP for marine tank vessel loading operations

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule for four national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP), including marine tank vessel loading operations. In this respect, the EPA is finalizing emission standards to address certain emission sources not previously regulated under the NESHAP, as well as emissions during periods of startup, shutdown, and malfunctions. The rule also promulgates provisions addressing electronic submission of emission test results. This final action comes into effect immediately. 76 Fed. Reg. 22565 (April 21, 2011).

NIST – National Fire Codes – proposals for revision

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking proposals to amend various existing National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fire safety codes and standards. Among the standards under consideration is NFPA 1925-2008: Standard on Marine Fire-Fighting Vessels. Comments on possible changes to this standard should be submitted by May 23. 76 Fed. Reg. 22383 (April 21, 2011).

NIST – National Fire Codes – request for comments

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking comments on technical reports on various standards published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Among the technical reports is one related to NFPA 301: Code for Safety to Life from Fire on Merchant Vessels. Comments should be submitted by August 30. 76 Fed. Reg. 22381 (April 21, 2011).

Columbia River – cofferdam completed around derelict barge

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that construction of a cofferdam around the wreck of the derelict barge Davy Crockett on the Columbia River has been completed. The cofferdam will contain pollutants while work crews dismantle the barge and remove it from the river. (4/19/11).

House – bill introduced re HMT exemption

Representative Tiberi (R-OH) introduced the Short Sea Shipping Act of 2011 (H.R. 1533) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt certain shipping from the harbor maintenance tax. (4/14/11).

House – bill introduced to amend OPA 90

Representative Woolsey (D-CA) introduced the Oil Pollution Research and Development Program Reauthorization Act of 2011 (H.R. 1568) to amend title VII of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, and for other purposes. (4/14/11).

House – bill introduced re safety at manned offshore installations

Representative Landry (R-LA) introduced the Offshore Installation Emergency Evacuation Act (H.R. 1572) to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to improve safety at manned offshore installations, and for other purposes. (4/15/11).

Senate – bill introduced to reauthorize port security programs

Senator Collins (R-ME) introduced the SAFE Port Reauthorization Act (S. 832) to reauthorize certain port security programs, and for other purposes. This bill, if enacted into law, would, among other things, extend the Automated Targeting System, the Container Security Initiative, and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism programs through 2016. It would also establish a broad waiver of the 100% cargo scanning requirement. (4/14/11).

Senate – bill introduced to coordinate OCS leases and permits

Senator Begich (D-AK) introduced the Outer Continental Shelf Permit Processing Coordination Act (S. 843) to establish outer Continental Shelf lease and permit processing coordination offices, and for other purposes. (4/14/11).

UAE – Final Declaration of Counter-Piracy Conference

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued the Final Declaration of the UAE Counter-Piracy Conference, 2011. The Conference attendees agreed on the need to work together and actively pursue a comprehensive and fully-resourced approach to combatting piracy and conditions from which it arises. (4/19/11).

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 – April 2011

Redistribution permitted with attribution