Headlines:
San Francisco Bay – investigation of tanker allision;
Alaska – Kulluk response update;
USCG – bridge navigational watch alarm system;
DOJ – company convicted for false ORB;
OFAC – sanctions against Iran;
Court – cert granted in Port of LA case;
Court – DWH medical benefits class action settlement;
ReCAAP – Tug Boats and Barges Guide;
Australia – canisters probably lost overboard;
India – SSO training course;
UK – crew evacuated from tug; and
Costa Concordia casualty – 13 January 2012.
January 14, 2013
Bryant’s Maritime Blog 
Bryant’s Maritime Consulting – 4845 SW 91st 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. Bringing the idiot back to idiosyncratic.
San Francisco Bay – investigation of tanker allision
The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it has completed interviews, evidence collection, and a thorough safety inspection of the tanker that allided with a pier of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. The tanker is safe to sail to another port for repairs. Investigation into the incident continues. The San Francisco Bay Harbor Safety Committee has been tasked with conducting a swift review of the Critical Maneuvering Area (CMA) guidelines established in the wake of the 2007 Cosco Busan incident. (1/11/13).
Alaska – Kulluk response update
The Kulluk Response Unified Command issued a news release stating that assessment of the CDU Kulluk anchored in Kiliuda Bay continues. A second news release states that the initial assessment of the CDU Kulluk has been complete and is being analyzed. (1/12/13).
USCG – bridge navigational watch alarm system
The US Coast Guard issued a notice reminding stakeholders that SOLAS regulation V/19 was amended to require covered vessels engaged on international voyages to be equipped with a bridge navigational watch alarm system (BNWAS) to detect operator disability that could lead to marine accidents. The requirement had an effective date of 1 January 2011. Implementation dates vary depending on whether the vessel is new or already constructed and on the type and size of the vessel. The US Coast Guard has yet to promulgate regulations on this requirement, but allows for voluntary compliance by US flag vessels. 78 Fed. Reg. 2683 (January 14, 2013).
DOJ – company convicted for false ORB
The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a news release stating that a foreign fishing company and a former chief engineer on their fishing vessel were sentenced in federal court for environmental crimes and obstruction of justice. The company was sentenced to pay a criminal fine of $1.9 million and to pay $500,000 in community service following conviction of, among other things, causing the vessel to enter a US port with a knowingly false oil record book (ORB). The former chief engineer was sentenced to 30 days in jail to be followed by two years of supervised release and to pay a criminal fine of $6,000 following conviction for failing to properly maintain an ORB and making false statements. (1/11/13).
OFAC – sanctions against Iran
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued an Advisory reminding US persons that Iranian financial institutions are relying more heavily on third-country exchange houses and trading companies in an attempt to circumvent US and international economic sanctions. (1/10/13).
Court – cert granted in Port of LA case
The Supreme Court of the United States issued an Order granting writs of certiorari in various cases, including American Trucking Assn v. the Port of Los Angeles. This case involves the authority of ports to regulate, for the purpose reducing air emissions, trucks hauling cargo to and from the ports. (1/11/13). Note: This item was brought to my attention by my good friend Louis J. Le Gendre, International Shipping & Logistics Consultant.
Court – DWH medical benefits class action settlement
The US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in the Multi-District Litigation regarding the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon (DWH) issued an Order and Reasons and a separate Order and Judgment granting final approval to the medical benefits class action settlement. The remaining claims (primarily those of the federal government and the states) are scheduled for to be tried at the Phase One liability trial to commence on 25 February. In re DWH Oil Spill, MDL 2179 (ED La, January 11, 2013).
ReCAAP – Tug Boats and Barges Guide
The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre, in cooperation with the Information Fusion Centre, issued the Tug Boats and Barges (TaB) Guide against Piracy and Sea Robbery. (1/11/13).
Australia – canisters probably lost overboard
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a media release stating that analysis indicates that the canisters that washed up on the beaches across a long stretch of Queensland shores probably originated as an accidental cargo loss from a vessel outside the Great Barrier Reef. (1/11/13).
India – SSO training course
The Indian Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) issued a circular forwarding revised guidelines for the Ship Security Officer (SSO) Course, as required by the Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention. STCW Cir. 1-2013 (1/9/13).
UK – crew evacuated from tug
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a press notice stating that eight crew members have been taken off a tug near Torbay after it began taking on water when it was struck by the vessel it was towing. Efforts are now being made to keep the tug afloat. (1/14/13).
Costa Concordia casualty – 13 January 2012
The cruise ship Costa Concordia entered service in 2006 and was one of the largest and best equipped cruise ships devoted to Mediterranean operations. On 13 January 2012, the ship departed Civitavecchia, Italy for a seven- day journey of various Mediterranean ports. She was carrying 3,229 passengers and had a crew of 1,023. At about 9:45 pm local time, while passing just offshore Giglio Island, the ship struck a rock, tearing a 150 foot gash in its port side below the waterline. It lost power and flooded, eventually grounding in shallow water just off the island. For a variety of reasons, evacuation of the ship took hours. Thirty of the persons on board died and two are missing and presumed dead. The Italian government is investigating the incident. Meanwhile, the world’s most complex and expensive salvage operation is underway.
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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 91st Way
Gainesville, FL 32608-8135
USA
1-352-692-5493
dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com
© Dennis L. Bryant – January 2013
Redistribution permitted with attribution
