Headlines:

Lower Mississippi River – spill response update;

Alaska – CDU Kulluk update;

USCG – safety alerts;

Boston – Chelsea River safety zone;

USCG – standard numbering system for boats;

FMC – Commissioner William P. Doyle;

DOJ – conviction in price-fixing conspiracy;

Gulf Coast – restoration plan;

Senate – bill introduced to prohibit drilling off Pacific coast;

Senate – bill introduced re navigation construction projects;

Senate – bill introduced re artificial reefs; and

Ireland – accessible passenger vessels.

January 31, 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.

Lower Mississippi River – spill response update

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that response to the crude oil spill on the Lower Mississippi River near Vicksburg continues. The river remains closed to navigation between mile marker 425 and mile marker 441, but efforts are being made to coordinate the transit of vessels to test the effects on response operations. (1/30/13).

Alaska – CDU Kulluk update

The Kulluk Response Unified Command issued a news release stating that the engineering analysis of the condition of the CDU Kulluk continues. The vessel is being made ready for potential tow operations. (1/30/13).

USCG – safety alerts

The US Coast Guard posted an 85-page compilation of Safety Alerts issued from 2008 through 2012. (1/30/13). Note: This item was first brought to my attention by my good friend Richard Hiscock of Off Soundings.

Boston – Chelsea River safety zone

The US Coast Guard seeks comment on the continued need for the safety zone on the Chelsea River, Boston Inner Harbor due to recent changes to the Chelsea Street Bridge. Public meetings will be held in Boston on 6 March and 24 April. Written comments should be submitted by 31 May. 78 Fed. Reg. 6782 (January 31, 2013).

USCG – standard numbering system for boats

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements stemming from recent amendments to regulations regarding the standard numbering system for undocumented vessels and the reporting of boating accidents. The new requirements come into effect immediately. 78 Fed. Reg. 6732 (January 31, 2013).

FMC – Commissioner William P. Doyle

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a news release stating that William P. Doyle was confirmed as a Federal Maritime Commissioner by the Senate on 1 January. He was sworn in on 10 January. The ceremonial swearing-in took place on 30 January. (1/30/13).

DOJ – conviction in price-fixing conspiracy

The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a news release stating that, following a two-week trial, the former president of Sea Star Line was found guilty of participating in a conspiracy to fix rates and surcharges for water transportation of freight between the continental United States and Puerto Rico. (1/29/13).

Gulf Coast – restoration plan

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council posted “The Path Forward to Restoring the Gulf Coast: A Proposed Comprehensive Plan”. The goal is to ensure the long-term health, prosperity, and resilience of the Gulf Coast. (1/29/13).

Senate – bill introduced to prohibit drilling off Pacific coast

Senator Boxer (D-CA) introduced the West Coast Ocean Protection Act of 2013 (S. 45) to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permanently prohibit the conduct of offshore drilling on the outer Continental Shelf off the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington. (1/23/13).

Senate – bill introduced re navigation construction projects

Senator Vitter (R-LA) introduced the Corps of Engineers Project Delivery Flexibility Act of 2013 (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. (1/23/13).

Senate – bill introduced re artificial reefs

Senator Vitter (R-LA) introduced the Rigs to Reefs Habitat Protection Act (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).

Ireland – accessible passenger vessels

The Irish Department of Transport, Tourism, and Sport issued a notice encouraging owners and operators of passenger vessels to continue their voluntary efforts to improve the accessibility of maritime passenger transport services. Marine Notice 05-2013 (1/28/13).

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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