Guard Establishes

Coast Guard Establishes New IRVMC

The Coast Guard established the Inland Rivers Vessel Movement Center (IRVMC) in St. Louis, April 16, to gather information and track certain barges along the river system 24-hours a day. In a continuous effort to secure the homeland, the Coast Guard increased its presence and maritime. The Western River system tracks the movement of barges containing certain dangerous cargoes from the new operational center. Additionally, increased patrols, vessel escorts and/or boarding by river marshals could be implemented based on the Department of Homeland Security Advisory System level and other factors. These increased security measures ensure the safe transit of vessels carrying certain cargoes, the safe movement of commerce through specific portions of the river system and the safety of strategic infrastructure.

Alaska-- Passenger Vessels Security Zones Established

The U.S. Coast Guard established permanent moving security zones around all escorted high capacity passenger vessels and escorted Alaska Marine System vessels during their transits of the navigable waters of the Seventeenth Coast Guard District (Alaska). Commercial fishing vessels, while actively engaged in fishing, are exempted from the restrictions imposed by the rule, which comes into effect on May 15. Source: HK

Coast Guard Establishes Mariner Website

The Coast Guard launched a website to provide merchant mariners with real-time information on the status of pending mariner credential applications. Merchant mariners can check the status of application packages throughout the verification and approval process by logging onto http://homeport.uscg.mil/, clicking on the Merchant Mariners tab and then clicking on Merchant Mariner Application Status. When application information is entered

Allegheny River – Safety Zone

The US Coast Guard established a temporary safety zone, through December 31, on the Allegheny River between mile markers 36.1 and 36.5 due to hazards associated with the active failure of Lock & Dam #6. Entry into the safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by Captain of the Port (COTP) Pittsburgh. 73 Fed. Reg. 71555  (November 25, 2008). (Source: Holland & Knight)

Balpure BWT System in CG Evaluation Program

The S/R American Progress, a 575-ft, 30,000-gross-ton, double-hull U.S. flag tank ship, operated by SeaRiver Maritime, Inc., has been accepted into the United States Coast Guard’s Shipboard Technology Evaluation Program (STEP) to demonstrate the use of and collect data on the effectiveness of the Severn Trent De Nora BALPURE® ballast water treatment system.  In its acceptance letter, the Coast Guard stated the ship “has an accepted means of compliance with Ballast Water

Illinois River – Temporary Safety Zone

The U.S. Coast Guard established a temporary safety zone on the Illinois River from Mile Marker 231.0 to Mile Marker 271.4 due to salvage and recovery operations in the vicinity of the Marseilles Dam. The safety zone will remain in effect until June 30. 78 Fed. Reg. 28495 www.brymar-consulting.com  

USCG Seeks Advisory Committee Members

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking applications for appointment to the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Advisory Committee (CFIVAC). As a result of the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Act of 1988, the Coast Guard established the CFIVAC to provide advice to the Coast Guard on commercial fishing safety-related issues. The CFIVAC is comprised of 17 members who serve a three-year term. Applications will be considered for five positions and will become vacant October 2001 in the

Judge Approves Security Zone in Hawaii Harbor

Opponents of the Hawaii Superferry lost a round in court, according to an Associated Press report, when U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor refused to block the U.S. Coast Guard from enforcing a security zone in Kauai’s Nawiliwili Harbor when the vessel resumes service to the port. The Coast Guard established the zone and set aside a designated protest area off Kalapaki Beach after a flotilla of protesters prevented the ferry from landing Aug. 27

Oil Spill Clean-up Continues in Texas

The Coast Guard established a safety zone on the Neches River from just north of the DuPont plant to the Veteran’s bridge. No recreational boaters will be allowed into the safety zone until more of the oil has been removed. Both the Coast Guard and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will be patrolling the area to ensure that recreational boaters observe the parameters set by the safety zone. Since the Neches River’s opening at approximately 11:44 a.m

Juan de Fuca Agreement 30th Anniversary

The Co-Chairs of the Joint Coordinating Group of the Cooperative Vessel Traffic Service announced the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Cooperative Vessel Traffic Services Agreement for the Juan de Fuca region. This agreement between the Government of Canada, Canadian Coast Guard and the Government of the United States, United States Coast Guard established a coordinated Vessel Traffic Services system in the boundary waters and offshore approaches of the Juan de Fuca Strait and