Headlines:

USCG – Bayonne Bridge modification;

GLPAC – meeting;

House – bill introduced to slow Asian carp spread;

House – bill introduced to amend OPA 90;

Senate – bill introduced re navigation construction projects;

Senate – bill introduced re artificial reefs;

Alaska – input urged for offshore drilling assessment;

Alaska – bill introduced re wastewater discharge;

EC- SAR repeaters on Galileo satellites;

EC – continuing the fight against maritime piracy;

Antarctic – cruise liner freed from ice;

Antarctica – search for missing Canadians; and

Panama Canal – expansion 50% complete.

January 25, 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 – Bayonne Bridge modification

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that a third public meeting will be held to receive comments on the proposed modification of the Bayonne Bridge across Kill Van Kull. The meeting will be held in Newark on 13 February. Written comments must be submitted by 5 March. 78 Fed. Reg. 5471 (January 25, 2013).

GLPAC – meeting

The Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee (GLPAC), sponsored by the US Coast Guard, will meet in Cleveland on 11 February. Topics on the agenda include arrangements with Canada for pilotage in shared waters of the Great Lakes. 78 Fed. Reg. 5474 (January 25, 2013).

House – bill introduced to slow Asian carp spread

Representative McCollum (D-MN) introduced a bill (H.R. 358) to direct the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Park Service, and the United States Geological Survey, to lead a multiagency effort to slow the spread of Asian Carp in the Upper Mississippi and Ohio River basins and tributaries, and for other purposes. Official text of the bill is not yet available. (1/23/13).

House – bill introduced to amend OPA 90

Representative Capps (D-CA) introduced a bill (H.R. 373) to amend title VII of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, and for other purposes. Official text of the bill is not yet available. (1/23/13).

Senate – bill introduced re navigation construction projects

Senator Vitter (R-LA) introduced a bill (S. 66) to establish a pilot program to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and project delivery efficiency of non-Federal sponsors as the lead project delivery team for authorized civil works flood control and navigation construction projects of the Corps of Engineers. Official text of the bill is not yet available. (1/23/13).

Senate – bill introduced re artificial reefs

Senator Vitter (R-LA) introduced a bill (S. 96) to authorize the use of certain offshore oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico for artificial reefs, and for other purposes. Official text of the bill is not yet available. (1/23/13).

Alaska – input urged for offshore drilling assessment

The State of Alaska issued a press release stating that Governor Sean Parnell has requested that officials from the State be included on the panel conducting the Expedited Assessment of 2012 Arctic Operations convened by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. (1/22/13).

Alaska – bill introduced re wastewater discharge

At the request of the Governor, a bill (SB29) has been introduced in the Alaska Senate to amend the regulation of wastewater discharge from commercial passenger vessels in state waters. If enacted into law, the bill would, among other things repeal the requirement that wastewater discharges meet state water quality standards at the point of discharge. (1/18/13).

EC – SAR repeaters on Galileo satellites

The European Commission (EC) issued a press release stating that the search and rescue (SAR) repeaters on two Galileo satellites have been activated. (1/24/13).

EC – continuing the fight against maritime piracy

The European Commission (EC) posted the speech delivered by Maria Damanaki, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries on the importance of continuing the fight against maritime piracy. (1/23/13).

Antarctic – cruise liner freed from ice

The UK Royal Navy issued a news release stating that the ice patrol ship HMS Protector freed a cruise liner trapped in the ice in Antarctic Sound. (1/22/13).

Antarctica – search for missing Canadians

Maritime New Zealand issued a media release stating that a search is underway for three Canadian men overdue on a flight from the South Pole to the Italian base at Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica. The Twin Otter’s emergency beacon is transmitting from the northern end of the Queen Alexandra Range, halfway between the South Pole and McMurdo Station. There is solid cloud cover in the area, with hurricane force winds and heavy snow. (1/24/13).

Panama Canal – expansion 50% complete

The Panama Canal Authority issued a press release stating that the Canal Expansion project is 50% complete. It is estimated that commercial transits can begin mid-2015. (1/23/13).

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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