Final Rule
USCG Adopts Final Rule on Towing Vessels
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a final rule adopting, with minor changes, its prior interim rule requiring installation of fire-suppression systems and use of voyage planning on certain U.S. towing vessels. The final rule comes into effect on July 19. Source: HK Law
Secretary Ridge Announces Steps in Enhancing Maritime Security
Within one year of President Bush’s signing of the Maritime Transportation Security Act on November 25, 2002 U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge today announced approval and publication of the final maritime industry security rules which are designed to significantly improve protection of America’s ports, waterways, and ships from a terrorist attack. “With 95 percent of our nation’s overseas cargo carried by ship
FMC Approves NVOCC Service Arrangements Rulemaking
The Federal Maritime Commission announced that it would issue a Final Rule in Docket No. 04-12, Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier Service Arrangements, 46 CFR Part 531, to exempt non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) from the publication requirements of the Shipping Act of 1984, subject to certain conditions. The Final Rule will allow NVOCCs and their affiliates to offer NVOCC Service Arrangements, or NSAs, to their shipper customers
MARAD Final Rule on Maritime Security Fleet Program
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued an interim final rule establishing the Maritime Security Fleet Program, which was authorized by Congress last year to renew and expand the Maritime Security Program. The program provides for a fleet of active, commercially viable, privately owned vessels available to meet national defense and other security requirements and to maintain a United States presence in international commercial shipping
Emissions Standards Published, Category 3
The Federal Register has published the final rule setting new emission standards for Category 3 marine diesel engines. The rule also includes an extensive set of technical amendments to our other highway and non-road engine programs. The final rule and supporting documents are available for download at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/oceanvessels.htm
DOT Publishes CCF Final Rule
Published in Federal Register on Sept. 27, 2011, is the Department of Transportation’s Final Rule regarding the use of the Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form (CCF). Importantly, the Final Rule extends the deadline for use of the old CCF until November 30, 2011, and finalizes procedures for use of the new CCF. You can access the Federal Register document from: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-09-27/pdf/2011-24818.pdf
MMS Publishes Final Regulations for Bonus Bids
The Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service (MMS) published a final rule regarding the use of electronic funds transfer (EFT) by oil and natural gas companies bidding on Outer Continental Shelf federal leases. The final rule provides additional administrative flexibility to allow the agency to require EFT payment methods when appropriate. The rule will save time and money for the oil and natural gas industry and the Federal government.
Inland River Barges Reporting Requirements Issued
The U.S. Coast Guard is converting the current temporary regulated navigation area (RNA) within all inland rivers of the Eighth Coast Guard District into an interim final rule, effective November 1, 2003. The regulation requires that reports be submitted regarding planned movements of barges loaded with dangerous cargoes. Various changes have been instituted, based on comments submitted regarding the temporary rule. Comments on the interim rule should be submitted by January 2, 2004.
CG Final Rule for 2009 Lakes Pilotage Rates
The U.S. Coast Guard's Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship Directorate announced publication in the Federal Register of the final rule amending the Great Lakes Pilotage Rates for 2009. Pilotage rates on the Great Lakes will increase by 10.77 percent when the final rule takes effect Aug. 1. The increase is an effort to align compensation levels between Great Lakes pilots and industry. The rate amendment was made in accordance with regulations relating to the annual review of
Coastwise-Qualified Vessels for Platform Jacket Transport
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued a final rule establishing regulations governing administrative determinations of availability of coastwise-qualified vessels to be used in the transportation and, if needed, launch or installation of offshore drilling or production platform jackets in specified projects only. Federal law permits use of non-coastwise-qualified launch barges only if it is determined that coastwise-qualified vessels are not available
Salvage Response under OPA 90: Non-Tankers are Next
Maritime casualties have always been tackled by a relatively small, egotistical, passionate and intrepid group of mariners called “salvors.” Salvage as history knows it, however, may be taking a sharp turn as a result of the new game rules being injected by the Oil Pollution Act
Balpure BWTS Receives USCG Certification
The IMO Type-Approved Balpure ballast water treatment system from Severn Trent De Nora has become one of the first ballast water treatment technologies to receive the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) Alternate Management System (AMS) certification.
Key Salvage Issues for 2013 – and Beyond…
This is a good time to look aft and reflect on the accomplishments achieved in 2012, as well as to the distant horizon to see what challenges loom in 2013, and beyond. It is fair to say that the Coast Guard and salvage industry have come a long way in the last few years with implementation of a
BSEE Announce Final Safety Culture Policy Statement
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s (BSEE) Director James Watson released the Bureau’s final Safety Culture Policy Statement. The non-regulatory statement defines nine characteristics that are indicative of a robust safety culture
A Regulatory Seascape
Regulation shapes the workboat industry perhaps more than any other single factor. This regulatory seascape includes a myriad of onerous and ever-changing rules. A ‘SITREP’ on those choppy waters is therefore in order.
North American Emission Rules for Ships to Enter Force
On 1 August 2012, enforcement of the North American Emissions Control Area (ECA) is due to commence. This third and largest ECA (the other two encompass the North Sea and the Baltic Sea areas) was first proposed by Canada and the United States on 27 March 2009
Baker Lyman Taps TBS for RCP-TSMS Transition Plan
Baker, Lyman & Co. announced the appointment of Tug & Barge Solutions, LLC (TBS) as the lead implementation manager for Baker Lyman’s signature “RCP-TSMS Model Transition Plan”. The USCG’s proposed Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) has received much industry
TSMS Transition Program Debuts at SUNY Towing Forum
Baker, Lyman & Co. will offer UTV operators a unique opportunity to review the TSMS Transition Program though an hour long interactive presentation during the October 17, 2012 Towing Forum at SUNY Maritime. TSMS, or Towing Safety Management System
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
First AWO Members Enroll Into TSMS Transition Program
Ivy Marine opts for Baker Lyman's Sub-Chapter M Solution & CORSAIR TVR v.2. Baker, Lyman & Co announced the enrollment of the first RCP Operator into the TSMS Transition Program. Ivy Marine of Daphane, AL, a red-flag carrier, entered the program earlier this month
US Non-tank Vessel Response Plan Approved
T&T Salvage remind that the OPA 90 Vessel Response Plan regulatory package has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) & offers its services. On March 9th, 2013, the OPA 90 Vessel Response Plan regulatory package outlining requirements for nontank vessels trading in U.S
Conference to Address Crane Operator Certification Question
Joint industry conference to consider Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s (OSHA) Crane Regulation requirements. With the Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard requiring U.S. operators to be certified by November 2014
Navy Training, Testing & Marine Mammals
Rear Adm. Kevin R. Slates Director, Chief of Naval Operations Energy and Environmental Readiness Division comments on the authorization process: The Navy is renewing authorizations that will enable us to continue to train and test live sonar and explosives at sea for another five years (2019)
BSEE Completes Final Rule
As part of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s (BSEE) commitment to promoting offshore safety at all levels, at all times, Director Jim Watson has announced another step in a series of efforts to further identify, address and manage operational safety hazards and impacts
USCG Accepts BWTS as Alternate Management Systems
The U.S. Coast Guard announced the acceptance of nine ballast water treatment systems today as Alternate Management Systems (AMS) in compliance with the service’s March 2012 final rule for Standards for Living Organisms in Ships’ Ballast Water Discharged (SLOSBWD) in U.S. waters.