Headlines:
USCG – implementation of MARPOL Annex V;
FMC – tariff publication exemption for NVOCC NRAs;
DOJ – company to pay $2.2 million in criminal penalties;
Jacksonville – debris field and body found;
Tacoma – crushed cars overboard from barge;
USN – salvage of USS Guardian begins;
FMC – cruise ship Triumph passenger compensation program;
IMO – Expert Workshop on GHG emissions;
EC – offshore oil and gas accidents; and
Sinking of HMS Birkenhead – 26 February 1852.
February 26, 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. Look to the past, unless you want to see the future.
USCG – implementation of MARPOL Annex V
The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that it has developed CG-CVC Policy letter 13-01 entitled “Interim Guidance for Revised MARPOL Annex V Implementation”. On July 15, 2011, the IMO adopted Res. MEPC.201(62) amending MARPOL Annex V (garbage) by establishing a general prohibition on discharges of garbage into the sea. The amendments entered into for on 1 January 2013. The Policy Letter provides interim guidance to assist US-flag vessels (and foreign-flag vessels in US waters) regarding compliance until US regulations are updated. 78 Fed. Reg. 13073 (February 26, 2013). Note: This development was the topic of my article “The garbage revolution” published in the March 2012 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News.
FMC – tariff publication exemption for NVOCC NRAs
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) proposes to impose registration requirements on foreign-based unlicensed non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) and to extend an exemption for certain provisions and requirements of the Shipping act of 1984 and the Commission regulations to foreign-based NVOCCs that agree to negotiated rate arrangements (NRAs). Comments on the proposal should be submitted by 29 April. 78 Fed. Reg. 13011 (February 26, 2013).
DOJ – company to pay $2.2 million in criminal penalties
The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a news release stating that a foreign shipping company has been sentenced to pay $2.2 million in criminal penalties after pleading guilty to making false statements to the US Coast Guard and having a falsified oil record book (ORB) that concealed illegal waste-water discharges. A routine Coast Guard boarding revealed that the oily water separator had been inoperable for months, a fact not reflected in the ORB. (2/22/13).
Jacksonville – debris field and body found
The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that a debris field and a male body have been found in the Atlantic Ocean about 22 miles off Jacksonville, Florida. The debris field includes two large pieces of a vessel, ten life jackets, flares, and an oil sheen. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Coast Guard. (2/24/13).
Tacoma – crushed cars overboard from barge
The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it and the Washington Department of ecology are responding to a listing barge in Commencement Bay, Tacoma. The barge developed a crack in the hull, took on water, and listed. An undetermined number of crushed cars that had been stacked in deck fell into the water, causing an oil sheen. The incident is under investigation. (2/25/13).
USN – salvage of USS Guardian begins
The US Navy issued a news release stating that salvage operations have commenced on USS Guardian (MCM 5) now that weather has abated. The crane vessel Jascon 25 and other specialized equipment are dismantling Guardian and removing it from Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines. (2/23/13).
FMC – cruise ship Triumph passenger compensation program
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a news release stating that Carnival Cruise Lines has confirmed that it is in contact with most of the individuals who were passengers on the cruise ship Triumph on its 7 February 2013 voyage and is attempting the contact the remainder. It has issued $500 refund checks to many of those passengers and expects to have issued checks to all such passengers soon. (2/22/13).
IMO – Expert Workshop on GHG emissions
The IMO issued a news release stating that an Expert Workshop has begun work on updating the inventory of greenhouse gases (GHG) from international shipping, with a view to providing reliable and up-to-date information on which the IMO might base its work on further measures to reduce GHG. (2/25/13).
EC – offshore oil and gas accidents
The European Commission (EC) issued a press release stating that the Joint Research Centre completed a report on the safety of offshore oil and gas operations. Among other things, the report analyzes some landmark accidents and examines lessons learned, linking them to phases of the risk management chain. (2/25/13).
Sinking of the HMS Birkenhead – 26 February 1852
On February 26, 1852, the troopship HMS BIRKENHEAD grounded at Danger Point, near Cape Town, South Africa. It was carrying about 400 British soldiers to fight in the Kaffir War in South Africa. Also on board were about 200 civilians, mostly women and children. There were not sufficient lifeboats for everyone. The senior British Army officer onboard ordered the troops to stand fast as the women and children boarded the lifeboats. None of the soldiers broke ranks. The BIRKENHEAD sank soon afterwards. Only 193 of the approximately 643 people originally on board survived. From this event, the maritime tradition of “women and children first” is derived.
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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 – February 2013
Redistribution permitted with attribution
