Bryant’s Maritime Blog–9 August 2011

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:

USCG – proposed regulatory changes for STCW 2010;

USCG – mariner credentialing customer survey;

Chicago – security zone amendments proposed;

Alaska – towing exercise in Kotzebue Sound;

Beaufort Sea – conditional approval for drilling of wells;

Gulf Coast IMT – severe weather plan;

House – bill introduced re assessment of seabed minerals;

Court – no duty to indemnify in absence of agreement;

India – Ports Regulatory Authority Bill drafted; and

Strait of Singapore – LPG tanker robbed.

August 9, 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.

USCG – proposed regulatory changes for STCW 2010

The US Coast Guard placed in the official docket for its rulemaking project to implement the 2010 amendments to the STCW Convention a document entitled Redline for STCW 2010. This 421-page document shows the various changes the Coast Guard proposes to make to Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (8/1/11). Note: This item was brought to my attention by my good friend Richard Wells of the Offshore Marine Service Association.

USCG – mariner credentialing customer survey

The US Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center (NMC) is conducting a Mariner Credentialing Program Customer Satisfaction Survey. The 12-question survey will provide US mariners with an anonymous method to provide feedback on the NMC’s credentialing process and the customer’s experience. (8/8/11).

Chicago – security zone amendments proposed

The US Coast Guard proposes to amend the regulations regarding to security zones on navigable waters in the vicinity of Chicago. It proposes to reduce the size on one security zone, disestablish another, and create three new security zones. Comments on this proposal should be submitted by September 8. 76 Fed. Reg. 48751 (August 9, 2011).

Alaska – towing exercise in Kotzebue Sound

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it, the Alaska National Guard, and Foss Maritime Company will conduct a towing exercise in Kotzebue Sound. The exercise is intended to test the delivery and use of the emergency towing system (ETS) in Arctic conditions and familiarize crews with the ETS and its operation. (8/8/11).

Beaufort Sea – conditional approval for drilling of wells

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) issued a press release stating that it issued conditional approval for a revised Exploration Plan (EP) submitted by Shell Offshore, Inc., for the drilling of up to four shallow water exploration wells in the Beaufort Sea beginning in July 2012. (8/4/11).

Gulf Coast IMT – severe weather plan

The Gulf Coast Incident Management Team (GC-IMT) issued a press release stating that it developed the 2011 Severe Weather Plan (SWP) to outline the GC-IMT’s supporting role to FEMA and the State Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) if called upon to respond to post-hurricane oily debris removal from Gulf Coast areas still affected by the Macondo-252 spill. (8/2/11).

House – bill introduced re assessment of seabed minerals

Delegate Faleomavaega (D-AS) introduced a bill (H.R. 2803) to direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, to conduct a technological capability assessment, survey, and economic feasibility study regarding recovery of minerals, other than oil and natural gas, from the shallow and deep seabed of the United States. (8/5/11).

Court – no duty to indemnify in absence of agreement

In an unpublished decision, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that, in the absence of a contract so providing, a company that chartered a vessel has no duty to indemnify the owner of the vessel for damages incurred when a subcontractor’s employee suffered injury. Channette v. Neches Gulf Marine, No. 10-31044 (5th Cir., August 8, 2011).

India – Ports Regulatory Authority Bill drafted

The Indian Ministry of Shipping issued a press release stating that a draft Bill titled “Ports Regulatory Authority Bill, 2011” has been formulated. When enacted, this bill will provide for the establishment of Regulatory Authorities to regulate rates for the facilities and services provided at the ports and to monitor the performance standards of port facilities and services and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. (8/8/11).

Strait of Singapore – LPG tanker robbed

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre issued an Incident Alert stating that at about 0200 hours local on 8 August, an LPG tanker was anchored approximately seven nm southeast of The Brothers beacon in the Strait of Singapore. It was boarded from an unlit speedboat by four robbers armed with long knives. They held the oiler and third engineer hostage while stealing space parts from the engine room. After ten minutes, the robbers released their hostages and fled. (8/8/11).

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