Assisting the maritime industry in regulatory compliance

Bryant’s Maritime Consulting

Security

The major maritime security programs in use today have two separate, but related bases. On a worldwide scope, maritime secuirty is structured around the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code adopted on 12 December 2002 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In the United States, maritime security is structured around the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA), adopted by Congress on 22 November 2002. The ISPS Code and the MTSA are very similar. Indeed, the US Coast Guard considers, for foreign flag vessels, compliance with the ISPS Code to be equivalent to compliance with the MTSA for most purposes. The few differences between the two regimes may become significant at some future date, but, for now they are quiescent.





    logo11 Interviews on Jones Act issues re oil spill response

    I was interviewed by a reporter for NPR (previously known as National Public Radio) for their "All Things Considered" program. The interview addressed a number of issues regarding the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The only portion of the interview that made it into print and on the air was my discussion of the impact (or non-impact) of the Jones Act on the response to the spill. My comments were taken slightly out of context, but are basically correct. I find it surprising how a few individuals throwing up an obscure statute as the reason that the oil has not been swept from the Gulf of Mexico has gotten so much coverage. (7/10/10).

    Prior to the NPR interview, I was interviewed by a reporter for Florida Public Radio regarding the impact of the Jones Act (and other cabotage laws) on the response to the ongoing Gulf of Mexico oil spill. A report of that interview, with a link to the actual broadcast thereof, is attached. The interview took over 20 minutes and the radio broadcast condensed that down to about two minutes, so numerous details relating to cabotage have been glossed over or omitted. (6/23/10).