Headlines:

TSAC – meeting;

Alaska – NPR-A Final IAP/EIS;

FMCS – East Coast ports labor negotiations;

NOAA – DWH early restoration projects;

Welland Canal – maximum permissible draft;

GAO – employment of retired USCG officials;

Court – personal jurisdiction and foreign arbitral award;

Washington – oil spill prevention rules adopted;

ReCAAP – November report;

Ireland – CIL strategic plan;

New Zealand – Lookout;

New Zealand – Safe Seas-Clean Seas; and

UK – ro-ro ferry casualty.

December 27, 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. When in doubt, speak louder.

TSAC – meeting

The Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC), sponsored by the US Coast Guard, will meet via teleconference on 16 January 2013 to discuss, among other things, prevention of crewmember falls overboard, entry-level training standards, and operational stability. 77 Fed. Reg. 76299 (December 27, 2012).

Alaska – NPR-A Final IAP/EIS

The Department of the Interior (DOI) issued a press release stating that it completed an Integrated Activity Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final IAP/EIS) for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). In addition to allowing for development of 72% of the estimated economically recoverable oil in the Reserve while protecting subsistence resources and wildlife populations, it allows for the potential construction of pipelines carrying oil or gas from operations in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas through the NPR-A. (12/19/12). Note: This item was brought to my attention by my good friend Louis Le Gendre of International Shipping & Logistics Consulting.

FMCS – East Coast ports labor negotiations

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) issued a news release stating that it has called a meeting of the ILA and the Maritime Alliance in advance of the 29 December expiration of the contract extension. The parties have agreed to attend. (12/24/12).

NOAA – DWH early restoration projects

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a news release stating that the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Natural Resource Trustees have approved two more early restoration projects for the Gulf coast. (12/21/12).

Welland Canal – maximum permissible draft

The Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway System issued a notice cancelling implementation of recent draft restrictions in the Welland Canal. The maximum permissible draft in the Welland Canal will remain at 80.8 dm (26’-6”) to the end of the navigation season. Seaway Notice 16-2012 (12/20/12).

GAO – employment of retired USCG officials

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report stating that a total of 22 of the 39 former high-ranking officials (admiral-level and SES officials) who separated from the Coast Guard from 2006 through 2010 were compensated at some point from 2006 through 2011 by contractors that received obligations from the Coast Guard in calendar year 2011. No allegations, though, have been received of any violations of post-government employment restrictions by any of the officials. GAO-13-153R (12/20/12).

Court – personal jurisdiction and foreign arbitral award

The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court order denying confirmation of a foreign arbitral award for lack of personal jurisdiction. The dispute between a Marshall Islands ship owner and a Chinese shipbuilder involved a refusal by the shipbuilder to honor an option agreement. First Investment v. Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding, No. 12-30377 (5th Cir., December 21, 2012).

Washington – oil spill protection rules adopted

The Washington Department of Ecology issued a news release stating that it has formally adopted changes to two state rules to enhance protection of the state’s environment, economy, and cultural resources from the impacts of a potential major oil spill. The spill contingency plan rule was amended to require additional response equipment and additional training of response personnel. In addition, the mathematical formulas used in the state natural resource damage assessment rule have been changed to better calculate the dollar value for spill-related injuries. (12/17/12).

ReCAAP – November report

The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre issued its report for November 2012. A total of 16 incidents were reported during the month, an increase from the same month in 2010 (12) and 2011 (13). (12/20/12).

Ireland – CIL strategic plan

The Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) posted its strategic plan, entitled: 2015 & Beyond. Among other things, the plan explains how funding adjustments will be accommodated and reviews future developments. (12/26/12).

New Zealand – Lookout

Maritime New Zealand posted the December edition of its safety magazine Lookout. The publication reviews lessons learned from recent marine casualties. (12/24/12).

New Zealand – Safe Seas–Clean Seas

Maritime New Zealand posted the December edition of its marine environmental protection magazine Safe Seas – Clean Seas. The publication addresses a variety of topics including the RENA casualty and the new garbage disposal regulations. (12/24/12).

UK – ro-ro ferry casualty

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued the report of its investigation of windlass damage, grounding, and accident to person on a ro-ro ferry in the Firth of Clyde and at Troon, Scotland on 26-27 November 2011. This incident involved a series of casualties initiated by extreme weather and exacerbated by lack of familiarity by the crew with the operational limitations of the vessel and its machinery. Report 28/2012 (12/20/12).

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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 – December 2012

Redistribution permitted with attribution