RINA Deems Vroon Anchor Handler to be a 'Biosafe Ship'
VOS Champagne, a 2015-built DP2 anchor-handling tug supply vessel managed by Vroon Offshore Services (VOS) Genoa, is the first commercial vessel to be classified with RINA's new ‘Biosafe Ship’ class-notation.The Biosafe Ship notation is a new goal-based notation, based on many different systems, components and operative procedures to control and prevent possible onboard infection outbreak.In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vroon has decided to comply with the RINA Biosafe Ship guidelines…
Dispersants ... Will we ever be able to use them again?
On January 22, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a Proposed Rule on dispersants. The Proposed Rule drastically changes the EPA’s approach to dispersants and could imperil proven and effective means of responding to marine oil disasters. The Proposed Rule seems to be written from the perspective that dispersants are dangerous and should not be used and seeks to establish new toxicity and other standards. This approach may have the practical effect of prohibiting the use of dispersants when needed.
Risk & Reputation in the age of Disruption
Risks faced by today’s global businesses represent a combination of traditional concerns and newer threats that reflect changing times. The 2015 Allianz Risk Barometer, a survey of more than 500 corporate insurance experts and risk managers from 47 countries, revealed that issues related to business interruption and supply chain risk, natural catastrophes, and fire and explosion continue to top annual rankings. However, cyber risks, which include cyber crime, IT failures, espionage and data breaches, along with political risks were the most significant movers.
EPA Proposes Changes to Oil Spill Response Plan
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to amend requirements under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) to improve the nation’s ability to plan for and respond to oil spills. This proposal addresses issues raised by the public, responders, government, and industry officials during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. “Our emergency officials need the best available science and safety information to make informed spill response decisions when evaluating the use of specific products on oil discharges…
RIVGRU 1 Tests Its First RCB Boat
Riverine Group 1 is testing its first Riverine Command Boat, which gives Riverine squadrons the ability to travel not only in rivers, but also out to bays and coastal regions, expanding the capabilities of command and control and the Riverine squadrons' maritime security reach. RCB-1, which the command received in October, has a primary mission of improving maritime security. With its versatility, the boat offers the ability for use as a primary boat in combat missions, patrolling missions, as a combat information center and can even be configured as an ambulance boat. It is designed to land on a variety of shorelines, including solid rock, to drop off and extract personnel from any area.
DHS Budget Request Up 6.8%
President Bush’s fiscal year 2009 budget request for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) represents $50.5 billion in funding, which is an increase of 6.8 percent over the 2008 fiscal year level – excluding funds provided in emergency supplemental funding. The request targets five areas, detailed in the following release of information from the DHS. The Department of Homeland Security’s main priority is to prevent terrorist attacks against the nation and to protect our nation from dangerous people. DHS will continue to prevent the entry of terrorists while facilitating the legitimate flow of people by strengthening border security efforts and continuing to gain effective control of America’s borders.
DHS Issues RFI on Smart Containers
The DHS - Border and Transportation Security, United States Customs Service (USCS), Procurement Division of 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 1310 NP, Washington, DC, 20229, issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding smart and secure containers. papers), not to exceed five (5) pages per project, on a technical or project activity addressing areas of interest described in this RFI. address. Electronic submissions are preferred. Please include in a cover letter the contact information and a synopsis stating the concept, anticipated results and potential payoff to container security. The cover letter is not included as part of the 5 page limit. SPECIAL NOTICE: This announcement will be open for sixty (60) days and closes on February 17, 2004.
Port Security Legislation Reinforces Security
Like so many areas of our economy since the terrorist attacks of September 11, the port and maritime areas of the United States are being scrutinized for vulnerability to terrorism. Catastrophic scenarios are all too easy to imagine, and the threats can come from so many directions. To illustrate the complexity of the maritime law enforcement challenge, the Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral James M. "Imagine for a moment the information requirements associated with a hypothetical 6,000 TEU flag-of-convenience container ship with a multi-national crew cobbled together by a hiring agent who works for an Algerian vessel operator who chartered the vessel from a Greek ship owner whose corporate offices are in the Cayman Islands.
