Guard Issues
Coast Guard Issues Notice on PEA for Salvage and Marine Firefighting
– draft programmatic environmental assessment The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Notice seeking comments on the draft programmatic environmental assessment (PEA) on its proposal to clarify and set new response time requirements for salvage and marine firefighting requirements in vessel response plans (VRP) for oil spills. Comments should be submitted by February 17. 71 Fed. Reg. 125 Source: HK Law
USCG Issues Report on Chesapeake Bay Grounding
The US Coast Guard issued the
Combined Report to USCG and CBP
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Press Release stating that advance notices of arrival (ANOA) submitted via its revised electronic process will satisfy basic reporting requirements of both the Coast Guard and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). For now, though, such submittal will not satisfy the requirements of the CBP electronic cargo information regulation. The new system will allow for submittal of updates and will provide the submitter with an e-mail acknowledging
Weavers Cove LNG facility – letter of recommendation
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Notice stating that, in response to a Letter of Intent to operate a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Weavers Cove, Fall River, Massachusetts to accept shipments of LNG by water, the Coast Guard is preparing a letter of recommendation as to the suitability of the Narragansett Bay waterways for LNG marine traffic. Comments pertaining to maritime operation and waterways management aspects of the proposed LNG facility should be submitted by
USCG to Issue Tamper-Resistant Merchant Mariner Licenses
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a stating that the agency will immediately begin issuing new merchant mariner license certificates with anti-counterfeiting technology to provide for better security and centralized record keeping. The new licenses will be used to replace the old ones as they expire. At the same time, mariners who have not begun the process of requesting new or upgraded USCG licenses required by STCW may face delays.
Shooting at Terminal in Freeport, Texas
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Marine Safety Bulletin advising the marine community of a shooting at the BASF Terminal in Freeport, Texas. A man who appeared to be conducting surveillance of the facility shot and wounded a security guard who challenged him. The man then fled in a truck. While there is no evidence that the man was a terrorist, the maritime community is reminded to report suspicious or criminal activity to the Coast Guard and local law enforcement
USCG & TSA to Discuss TWIC Reader Hardware
The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that it and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will host a meeting in Washington, DC on November 19 to discuss the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) reader hardware and card application specification. Interested members of the smart card technology community, vendors of biometric card readers, and the general public are invited. After an overview of the TWIC reader hardware and card application specification and
Guide to Marine Equipment Approvals Covered by US-EC MRA
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) providing guidance regarding marine equipment approvals covered by the United States-European Community mutual recognition agreement (MRA). The goals of the MRA, which came into effect on 1 July 2004, are to facilitate US-EC trade in marine equipment and to promote bilateral cooperation on international marine equipment regulations. Source: HK Law
Safety Alert – Lifeboat gripes
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Safety Alert reporting problems that have been experienced with lifeboat gripes on certain totally enclosed lifeboats. On some lifeboats, the ring on the released end of the gripe is larger than the gripe bollard or sternpost on the lifeboat. This may allow the ring to snag on the gripe bollard, causing the lifeboat to fall in an uncontrolled manner. Owners, operators, and masters should check their lifeboat arrangements and contact their lifeboat manufacturer
USCG Issues Marine Safety Alert
The US Coast Guard issued a Marine Safety Alert recommending that vessel owners and operators ensure all watertight doors and bulkheads are inspected periodically to verify their integrity and, while the vessel is underway, opened only briefly for passage of individuals. Bilge alarms and high water alarms should be inspected regularly to ensure that they are in proper operation. Source: HK Law
USCG: OPC Draft RFP
The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that it has released a draft Request for Proposal (dRFP) for the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) project. The dRFP provides the shipbuilding industry an opportunity to preview and submit feedback on contents and requirements that may
U.S. Coast Guard Provides Guidance on Ballast Water AMS
The US Coast Guard issues a policy letter describing procedures for obtaining an Alternative Management System (AMS) determination of a foreign type-approved ballast water management system (BWMS). Foreign approved systems in accordance with applicable IMO
Distress Call Hoaxer Sentenced
The U.S. Coast Guard & U.S. Attorney Office announce sentencing in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. Former Coast Guard man Shane Coxon, 24, was sentenced for knowingly making a false distress call to the Coast Guard in July 2010
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
Towards Performance Based Regulations
The US Coast Guard issues regulations to ensure maritime safety. USCG Commandant Bob Papp is interviewed in DNV’s corporate magazine DNV Forum: “To be sure, we have prescriptive regulations, such as many of the lifesaving and fire protection regulations
U.S. Coast Guard Makes "US Build" Determination
The US Coast Guard issued a determination letter concluding that installation of a foreign-manufactured crane into a new vessel when the vessel is other than in the United States would cause the vessel to not qualify as US built. The vessel was being built in the United States
SUNY Maritime Ships Sets Sail
The Empire State VI, ’s training ship departed today on schedule on its annual training cruise to . Students will complete on-board training that will qualify them for US Coast Guard issued Deck and Engine licenses. More than 400 students, as well as over 100 faculty
USCG Reorganizes Sector North Carolina
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a final rule reorganizing Sector North Carolina. Effective immediately, the headquarters for Sector North Carolina is moving from Fort Macon to Wilmington. Marine Safety Unit Wilmington is being disestablished as a separate unit. 76 Fed. Reg
Marad Advisory (2011-05) to Mariners: Risk to Vessels Transiting High Risk Waters
1. THIS MARAD ADVISORY PROVIDES INFORMATION ON THE RISK TO VESSELS TRANSITING THE HIGH RISK WATERS (HRW) OF THE GULF OF ADEN (GOA), RED SEA, INDIAN OCEAN, ARABIAN SEA AND WATERS OFF THE HORN OF AFRICA (SOMALIA). 2. THIS ADVISORY WILL BE PUBLISHED ON THE MARAD WEB SITE AT
PVA: Improve USCG Form 2692 Requirements
In a letter responding to a Federal Register notice about the renewal of Coast Guard Form 2692, Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) President Jay Spence insisted that the Coast Guard issue new instructions clarifying the circumstances in which a Form 2692 should or should not be submitted by
BIMCO to Draft Standard Security Contracts
With the increasing use of armed guards on ships and the fear that second-rate security firms may take advantage of the piracy situation, BIMCO is forging ahead with the development of a standard contract for the employment of armed guards.
USCG Eases TWIC Requirements
The Coast Guard announced the publication of a policy letter that exempts a number of mariners from the requirement to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential when renewing or obtaining a Coast Guard-issued merchant mariner credential
U.S. BWT Standard is Published
Coast Guard issues standard for living organisms in ships' discharged ballast water. The U.S. Coast Guard announced Friday the final rule for standards for living organisms in ships' ballast water discharged into waters of the United States is scheduled for publication March 23 in the Federal
AGLPA Responds to BWT Research Findings
Steven A. Fisher, Executive Director of the American Great Lakes Ports Association takes issue with the findings of a Notre Dame Ballast Water Technology research paper. To the Editor: In recent years, a debate has raged between the maritime industry and environmental activists regarding the
Maritime Security & The Useless TWIC
Experience has clearly shown that the concept that the issuance of high-tech biometric transportation security cards, called the Transportation Worker Identification Credential or TWIC, could achieve these goals was fatally flawed from the beginning.