MARITIME INTERNATIONAL

Safe Transfer of Wind Farm Personnel

James Fisher and Sons plc announces the launch of two new exciting products to assist in the safe transfer of personnel during offshore wind farm operations.   • Vessel Motion Monitoring System (VMMS) provides accurate motion monitoring, improves safety during vessel transfer operations and offers impact load measurement combined with additional data logging capability • Eco-Fender provides enhanced turbine transfer performance and safety • High quality, in-house developed solutions using the proven technologies and capabilities of companies within James Fisher and Sons plc • Developments that further underscore the commitment of James Fisher and Sons plc to the offshore wind sector   Fendercare Marine and Strainstall, members of James Fisher and Sons plc, in conjunction with Maritime International have launched two new products – the Eco-Fender range and the Vessel Motion Monitoring System, both specifically targeted  to assist in the safe transfer of personnel during offshore wind farm operations. Vessel Motion Monitoring System   Fendercare in conjunction with Strainstall, have developed the Vessel Motion Monitoring System (VMMS) to provide accurate motion monitoring during wind turbine transfer operations offshore. Vessel motion is the main safety factor when transferring personnel from shore to wind farm & turbines

Robert Allan Designs Tug for Rio Tinto

The Pilbara Apollo, the latest addition to the RAstar 3200 escort tug series was delivered to its owners, Rio Tinto Ltd., earlier this year. The vessel was constructed at Uzmar Shipbuilding Industry Co. in Turkey and will operate at Rio Tinto’s iron ore export facilities at Cape Lambert (Port Walcott) and Dampier, Australia. The Pilbara Apollo is the first of six new RAstar 3200 tugs to be delivered to Rio Tinto as part of this contract

World Maritime Day Celebrates International Shipping

Today marks the 28th celebration of World Maritime Day, the annual occasion when the International Maritime Organization (IMO) leads the world in honoring shipping. This year the theme for World Maritime Day is International Shipping - Carrier of World Trade and is intended to highlight the importance and significance of shipping along with IMO's work in promoting safety, security and efficiency in the industry together with protecting the marine environment

Hearing on International Maritime Security

On December 13, the National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations Subcommittee and Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee of the House Government Reform Committee will conduct a joint hearing on “International Maritime Security,” focusing on jurisdictional conflicts and coordination assistance in the event of an attack. Source: HK Law

Allan Awarded IMO International Maritime Prize

The International Maritime Prize for 2005 has been presented to Dr. Tom Allan (United Kingdom), former Chairman of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) and Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to IMO. Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, presented the prize to Dr. Allan during a special ceremony (on Monday, 6 November) during the 97th session of the IMO Council, which met at Central Hall, Westminster, London.

Offshore Drilling

BSEE Issues New Requirements and Policies Addressing Offshore Activities The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (“BSEE”) issued three significant documents addressing response, enforcement, and safety issues related to offshore operations in August 2012.  Specifically, BSEE issued (1) new guidance concerning regional Oil Spill Response Plans (“OSRPs”), (2) formalized policy addressing direct enforcement actions against contractors engaged in offshore

Warde Joins Blank Rome

Blank Rome LLP announced that Conor T. Warde has joined the as an Associate in the maritime group. Warde brings experience in international maritime law and will be based in Blank Rome’s Washington, D.C. office. Prior to joining Blank Rome, Warde served as Associate General Counsel of International Registries, Inc., which administers the Marshall Islands Maritime Registry. In this capacity, Warde guided the Registry on the interpretation and enforcement of national and international

DHS Names Maritime Security Advisory Committee Members

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security today announced the appointment of the following individuals to serve on the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee. "On behalf of Secretary Ridge, I am delighted to welcome these advisors to our team," said Admiral Thomas H. Collins, commandant of the Coast Guard. "We look forward to working with the Committee to continue strengthening our efforts to protect our ports and waterways while keeping them open for commerce."

OMU Holds Rally Today At WorkBoat Show

Offshore Mariners United, (OMU), a federation of five U.S. maritime unions organizing workers in the Gulf of Mexico oil patch offshore service industry, will hold a rally in front of the Ernest N. Memorial Convention Center in New Orleans at 12 p.m. today to coincide with the International WorkBoat Show. The event is to protest the denial of worker's right to organize by the boat companies doing business in the Gulf of Mexico

Ship Disposal Encounters Enviro, Political Hurdles

By Joan M. Bondareff and Charles T. Blocksidge In 2001, Congress directed the Maritime Administration (MarAd) to dispose of all obsolete vessels in its inventory by September 30, 2006, and to do so "in the manner that provides the best value to the Government." At present, MarAd has 104 non-retention ships not under contract in three locations around the country-James River Reserve Fleet in Virginia, Beaumont Reserve Fleet in Texas, and Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet in California