Provides Guidance

IMO Provides Guidance on Spaces on Tankers and Bulk Carriers

The IMO issued a Circular providing guidance on application of SOLAS regulation II-1/3-6 on access to and within spaces in, and forward of, the cargo area of oil tankers and bulk carriers and application of the technical provisions for means of access for inspection. MSC Circ. 1107. Source: HK Law

Prevention of Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) issued a Port Circular reminding owners, operators, and masters of the dangers of piracy and armed robbery against ships. Reference is made to an IMO Circular issued in 2002 providing guidance on preventing and suppressing such incidents. Ship security plans should take this guidance into account. Port Marine Circular No. 31 of 2003

Implementation Issues Key to Effectiveness of Licensing Rule, AWO Tells USCG

Ensuring the smooth and effective implementation of new licensing requirements for towing vessel officers will be the most critical USCG-industry challenge as the November 2000 effective date approaches, AWO told the USCG. In its comments, AWO reiterated its support for the new approach to towing vessel officer licensing contained in the agency's November 1999 interim rule. "We believe the interim rule, with its emphasis on practical demonstration of operational proficiency

MSI Trains Evergreen Marine Instructors

The Director of MarineSafety International's San Diego learning and research center, David Ramsey, recently conducted Bridge Resource Management and Train the Trainer courses for the instructors of Evergreen Marine's Seafarer Training Center. The training took place at the Training Center in Taoyuan, Taipei. Evergreen Marine, part of the Evergreen Group, operates 120 container ships, which call at ports worldwide. Approximately 2,000 mariners are employed on their ships

HazMat Response Handbook Available

The U.S. Coast Guard released its Hazardous Materials Response Special Teams Capabilities and Contact Handbook. The thick document provides guidance on occupational health and safety, salvage capability, spill containment and recovery, environmental assessment, and analysis, among other things. To download a copy, visit: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/HAZMAT%20Response%20Special%20Teams%20Handbook.pdf (Source: HK Law)

BSEE Guidance on Suspensions of Production Requests

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) today issued a Notice to Lessees (NTL) highlighting a recent decision by the Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) of the Department of the Interior concerning the rules governing the grant or denial of requests for Suspensions of Production.   The OHA decision upheld the bureau’s requirement that lessees must demonstrate a commitment to produce in order to be eligible for a suspension

Washington State – Oil Transfer Requirement Training

Ecology field visits help operators understand new oil transfer requirements Washington companies and operators that transfer oil over water to non-recreational vessels got some unanticipated help this month on successfully complying with the Department of Ecology (Ecology) oil transfer rules adopted in September 2006. On March 8 and 15, Ecology staff made technical assistance visits to 65 oil transfer locations across the state

MARAD Warns of Increased Piracy

The Maritime Administration issued advisories to U.S. ships in the waters off the Horn of Africa and in the Indian Ocean.  The warnings advise that pirate activity could increase between now and May, due to the end of the Northeast monsoon season and increased range of recent pirate attacks. “These warnings must be taken seriously, as pirates continue to put our ships and crews at risk, even one year after the Maersk Alabama incident,” said David T

Panama Canal CEO on Progress of Expansion

Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta addressed hundreds of participants at this year’s International Navigation Organization’s (PIANC) 32nd Congress May 11 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. During his keynote address, Zubieta spoke about the Panama Canal Expansion Program and briefed the audience on the project. To date, 100 percent of the excavation work has been completed for the first two phases of the Pacific access channel and close to 30

ISF Launches New Guide

In order to help employers ensure compliance with the ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), which will enter into force in August 2013, the International Shipping Federation (ISF) has published new and comprehensive Guidelines on the Application of the ILO MLC.   The new ISF Guide takes ship operators through their obligations under the ILO Convention and provides guidance to help them apply the ILO standards on board their ships in a practical manner