Headlines:

White House – Venezuela sanctions;

Texas – Hurricane Harvey;

New York – grounding in Ambrose Channel;

USCG – amalgamated navigation rules;

USCG – updated ECDIS guidance;

USN – remains of all ten USS McCain sailors recovered;

USN – heavy lift contract for USS Fitzgerald;

USN – USS Fitzgerald restoration;

NTSB – El Faro human performance report;

NTSB – El Faro trajectory study;

NTSB – El Faro ship dynamics study;

NTSB – engine ro0m fire on towing vessel;

NTSB – grounding and breakup of small passenger vessel;

Gulf of Mexico – production platforms evacuated;

USACE & EPA – public meetings re waters of the United States;

FWS – southern sea otter;

Senate – bill introduced re Florida manatees;

House – bill introduced re sale of used yachts;

Panama Canal – designated bunkering areas;

Panama Canal – locks lane outage; and

UK – new SOSRep appointed.

August 28, 2017

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

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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. ‘Getting lucky’ means walking into a room and remembering why I’m there.

White House – Venezuela sanctions

President Trump issued an Executive Order imposing economic sanctions against the Government of Venezuela. (8/24/17) [https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/08/25/presidential-executive-order-imposing-sanctions-respect-situation]. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) posted general licenses regarding certain activities authorized under the Executive Order including one related to CITGO Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. The state-owned oil company PDVSA has not been exempted from the sanctions. (8/25/17) [https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/venezuela_gl2.pdf].

Texas – Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey came ashore near Rockport as a category 4 storm. It quickly degraded into a tropical storm and continues to dump immense amounts of rain between Corpus Christi and Houston. The US Coast Guard has been engaged in non-stop search and rescue missions throughout the area, including urban search and rescue, similar to that occurring in the New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina. (8/27/17) [https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/1b36950].

New York – grounding in Ambrose Channel

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that the tanker Kamome Victoria carrying 373,000 gallons of fuel grounded in Ambrose Channel while transiting outbound. There were no injuries and no pollution. A salvage plan is being developed. The incident is under investigation. (8/25/17) [https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/1b33238]. A second news release states that the tanker refloated with the tide and is now anchored at Gravesend Bay. Divers are inspecting the hull. (8/26/17) [https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/1b34912]. A third news release states that divers confirmed that the hull incurred minimal damage and the vessel has been cleared to depart. (8/26/17) [https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/1b35427].

USCG – amalgamated navigation rules

The US Coast Guard posted the Amalgamated Navigation Rules, a combination of the international and inland rules of the road, their annexes, and associated federal rules and regulations. (8/21/17) [https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=NavRulesWithAnnexes].

USCG – updated ECDIS guidance

The US Coast Guard issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin providing updated guidance regarding electronic chart display information systems (ECDIS). MSIB 09-17 (8/25/17) [https://www.uscg.mil/msib/docs/009-17_8-25-2017.PDF].

USN – remains of all ten USS McCain sailors recovered

The US Navy issued a news release stating that the remains of a second sailor have been recovered by divers working inside USS John S. McCain (DDG 56). The divers are continuing to search for the eight missing sailors. (8/25/17) [http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=102115]. The US Navy issued a second news release stating that the remains of all ten sailors have been recovered by divers working inside McCain. (8/27/17) [http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=102156].

USN – heavy lift contract for USS Fitzgerald

The US Navy issued a news release stating that a contract has been awarded to Patriot Shipping for the heavy lift movement of USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) from Yokosuka to Pascagoula for repair. (8/25/17) [http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=102126].

USN – USS Fitzgerald restoration

The US Navy issued a news release stating that it has awarded a contract initiating the restoration of USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) at Huntington Ingalls Industries (HHI) in Pascagoula. (8/24/17) [http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=102093].

NTSB – El Faro human performance report

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) posted its Human Performance Factual Report as part of the ongoing investigation into the October 2015 sinking of the cargo ship El Faro with the loss of 33 lives. (8/18/17) [https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms/search/document.cfm?docID=455457&docketID=58116&mkey=92109].

NTSB – El Faro trajectory study

The National Transportation Safety Board posted its Sinking Vessel Trajectory Study as part of the ongoing investigation into the October 2015 sinking of the cargo ship El Faro with the loss of 33 lives. (8/17/17) [https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms/search/document.cfm?docID=455459&docketID=58116&mkey=92109].

NTSB – El Faro ship dynamics study

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) posted its Ship Dynamics Study based on VDR data as part of the ongoing investigation into the October 2015 sinking of the cargo ship El Faro with the loss of 33 lives. (8/17/17) [https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms/search/document.cfm?docID=455458&docketID=58116&mkey=92109].

NTSB – engine room fire on towing vessel

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued the report of its investigation of the engine room fire on board the towing vessel Thomas Dann on 22 July 2016 in the Atlantic Ocean off St. Augustine. No one was injured, nor was any pollution reported. However, due to the extent of the fire damage, the vessel, which was valued at an estimated $2.5 million, was declared a constructive total loss. The probable cause of the fire aboard the towing vessel was an ignition originating near an electrical fuse box in the upper engine room. Contributing to the intensity of the fire was the presence of combustible materials in the upper engine room. MAB 17-28 (8/10/17) [https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MAB1728.pdf].

NTSB – grounding and breakup of small passenger vessel

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued the report of its investigation of the 24 July 2016 grounding and breakup of the small passenger vessel Spirit of Kona during tropical storm conditions in Kailua Bay on the island of Hawaii. About 10 minutes later, after drifting across the bay, the vessel grounded on lava rocks. Under continuous wave action, the vessel broke apart and subsequently sank. No one was on board at the time. The vessel’s fuel and lube oil tanks ruptured and about 275 gallons of oil spilled into the sea and onto the rocks. The vessel’s value was an estimated $1.1 million. The probable cause of the grounding and subsequent breakup of the vessel was the failure of the vessel’s mooring equipment in tropical storm conditions. Contributing to the vessel breaking free from its mooring was the failure of Blue Sea Cruises to take additional precautions to secure the vessel in advance of an oncoming tropical storm. MAB 17-27 (8/10/17) [https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MAB1727.pdf].

Gulf of Mexico – production platforms evacuated

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) issued a press release stating that offshore oil and gas operators in the western Gulf of Mexico took action in anticipation of Hurricane Harvey. Personnel were evacuated from 105 production platforms and various rigs. (8/27/17) [https://www.bsee.gov/newsroom/latest-news/statements-and-releases/press-releases/bsee-tropical-storm-harvey-activity-0].

USACE & EPA – public meetings re waters of the United States

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Environmental Protection agency (EPA) issued a notice announcing a series teleconferences to hear from various stakeholders regarding proposed amendments to the regulatory definition of ‘waters of the United States’. The sectoral teleconferences will be: small entities (19 September); environment and public advocacy (26 September); conservation (October 3); construction and transportation (October 10); agriculture (October 17); industry (October 24); mining (October 31); scientific organizations and academia (November 7); stormwater, wastewater management and drinking water agencies (November 14); and general public (November 21). A public meeting is also planned in Washington, DC on 23 October. Written comments must be received by 28 November. 82 Fed. Reg. 40742 (8/28/17) [https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-08-28/pdf/2017-18214.pdf].

FWS – southern sea otter

The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued a notice announcing the availability of the revised stock assessment report for the southern sea otter stock in the state of California. 82 Fed. Reg. 40793 (8/28/17) [https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-08-28/pdf/2017-18169.pdf].

Senate – bill introduced re Florida manatees

Senator Nelson (D-FL) introduced the Florida Manatee Research and Recovery Act (S. 1747) to authorize research and recovery activities to provide for the protection, conservation, and recovery of the Florida manatee, and for other purposes. (8/3/17) [https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-115s1747is/pdf/BILLS-115s1747is.pdf].

House – bill introduced re sale of used yachts

Representative Mast (R-FL) introduced the Maritime Industries Relief Act of 2017 (H.R. 3662) to provide duty-free treatment for the sale of used yachts, and for other purposes. (8/18/17) [https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-115hr3662ih/pdf/BILLS-115hr3662ih.pdf].

Panama Canal – designated bunkering areas

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) issued an advisory designating specific anchorages as bunkering areas in Panama Canal Waters. Advisory 28-2017 (8/23/17) [https://www.pancanal.com/common/maritime/advisories/2017/a-28-2017.pdf].

Panama Canal – locks lane outage

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) issued an advisory stating that from 2200 hours on 31 August until 1800 hours on 1 September the east lane of the Miraflores Locks will be out of service. Transit Reservation System Condition 2 will be in effect on 1 September. Advisory 29-2017 (8/24/17) [https://www.pancanal.com/common/maritime/advisories/2017/a-29-2017.pdf].

UK – new SOSRep appointed

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a news release stating that Les Chapman has been appointed to serve as the Secretary of State’s Representative (SOSRep) Maritime Salvage & Intervention, to replace Hugh Shaw OBE. (8/23/17) [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/maritime-coastguard-agency-appoints-new-sosrep].

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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 – August 2017

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