Headlines:

USCG – random drug testing rate;

USCG – reporting requirements for CDC barges;

Sacramento River – removal of anchorage area;

NOAA – North Pacific right whale;

OFAC – Iranian sanctions;

Australia – rescue at sea;

New Zealand – garbage discharge restrictions;

UK – sleep-induced grounding; and

UK – maritime security program funding.

January 23, 2013

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. Bringing the idiot back to idiosyncratic.

USCG – random drug testing rate

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that the minimum random drug testing rate for covered crewmembers for calendar year 2013 is 25%. 78 Fed. Reg. 4855 (January 23, 2013).

USCG – reporting requirements for CDC barges

The US Coast Guard is staying (suspending) reporting requirements under the regulated navigation area (RNA) established for barges loaded with certain dangerous cargoes (CDC barges) on the inland rivers of the Ninth Coast Guard District. This stay will remain in effect through 30 September. 78 Fed. Reg. 4788 (January 23, 2013).

Sacramento River – removal of anchorage area

The US Coast Guard promulgated a direct final rule amending the Inland Waterways Navigation Regulations to remove the Decker Island restricted anchorage area in the Sacramento River. The restricted anchorage area in no longer needed. The amendment will come into effect on 23 April, unless adverse comment is received by 25 March. 78 Fed. Reg. 4785 (January 23, 2013).

NOAA – North Pacific right whale

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) seeks comments on the draft Recovery Plan for the North Pacific right whale, an endangered species. Comments should be submitted by 11 March. 78 Fed. Reg. 4835 (January 23, 2013).

OFAC – Iranian sanctions

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a Notice stating that, effective 19 January, General License No. 7 has been revoked. The license authorized certain transactions related to the arrest, detention, and judicial sale of the Iranian-owned MV Amina. (1/19/13). Note: On 18 January, the MV Amina, which had been under judicial arrest in Sri Lanka, fled to the high seas.

Australia – rescue at sea

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) issued a media release stating that a solo yachtsman was rescued by a cruise ship three days after he abandoned his disabled yacht in the Southern Ocean. The cruise ship PV Orion diverted more than 600 miles to effect the rescue. (1/21/13).

New Zealand – garbage discharge restrictions

Maritime New Zealand issued a media release reminding mariners new restrictions on the discharge of garbage at sea, as reflected in MAPROL Annex V, came into effect on 1 January. (1/18/13).

UK – sleep-induced grounding

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a press notice stating that the chief officer of a small cargo ship was fined £5,000 after pleading guilty to causing the grounding of his ship at the Isle of Bute on 2 July 2012. He was on the bridge alone at night. At about 0300, he left the bridge to go to the toilet. The ship grounded at 0500, with extensive damage, but no injuries or pollution. The chief officer was found asleep in his cabin. (1/22/13).

UK – maritime security program funding

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued a news release announcing how its maritime security program funds will be spent this fiscal year. Among other things, the funds will be on construction of a new prison in Puntland; tackling corruption in the Somali penal system; and developing a Somali coast guard. (1/21/13). Note: This item was brought to my attention by my good friend John Bennett of Maritime Protective Services.

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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 – January 2013

Redistribution permitted with attribution