Headlines:

EPA – VGP newsletter and update;

EPA – project proposals to reduce marine debris;

Gulf Coast – Phase III Response Activities Completion Plan;

OCS Scientific Committee – meeting;

Capitol Hill – briefing on Nome resupply mission;

IMO – agenda for MSC 90; and

South China Sea – unsuccessful pirate boarding.

May 10, 2012

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. It’s always darkest before it isn’t.

EPA – VGP newsletter and update

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted its VGP newsletter for spring 2012. The newsletter discusses various recent developments in the Vessel General Permit (VGP) program. Among other things, it notes that the EPA has begun issuing Notices of Violation to vessels believed not to be in compliance with the permit requirements based on deficiency data received from the US Coast Guard. The EPA also issued an update on the 401 certification process of various states, territories, and tribes. (5/9/12).

EPA – project proposals to reduce marine debris

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a press release stating that it is seeking project proposals to reduce land-based marine debris at the source. The amount of funding available is approximately $280,000 and projects must occur in a coastal or estuarine watershed in EPA Region 9, which includes California, Hawaii, and the US Pacific territories. Proposals are due on June 8. (5/9/12).

Gulf Coast – Phase III Response Activities Completion Plan

The Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill issued a press release stating that the Gulf Coast Incident Management Team Phase III Response Activities Completion Plan has been finalized following extensive collaborative meetings with the Department of the Interior, State On-Scene Coordinators from Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, and BP. Under the plan, BP will continue oil spill removal activities as prescribed in the Shoreline Clean-up Completion Plan (SCCP) and will remain operational on the Gulf Coast under the oversight of the Coast Guard FOSC. (5/9/12).

OCS Scientific Committee – meeting

The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Scientific Committee, sponsored by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), will meet in Santa Barbara on May 22-24. 77 Fed. Reg. 27480 (May 10, 2012).

Capitol Hill – briefing on Nome resupply mission

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued a press release concerning the briefing provided at the US Capitol by Captain Beverly Havlik, USCG, commanding officer of the USCG icebreaker HEALY, concerning the January mission during which the cutter escorted a tanker to provide emergency fuel the iced-in city of Nome, Alaska. Senator Murkowski and Representative Don Young (R-AK) noted that the successful effort emphasized the need for the US Government to increase its presence in the Arctic. (5/8/12).

IMO – agenda for MSC 90

The IMO issued a news release summarizing the addenda for next week’s session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 90). Measures to prevent and deter piracy and passenger ship safety are high on the agenda. (5/9/12).

South China Sea – unsuccessful pirate boarding

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre posted an incident alert stating that armed pirates boarded a product tanker underway in the South China Sea at about 0208 on 9 May. The master raised the alarm, carried out evasive maneuvers, and sealed access to the accommodation block and engine room. The pirates departed empty-handed. (5/9/12).

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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 – May 2012

Redistribution permitted with attribution