US Shutdown Impacts Shipping: North P&I Club
US Coast Guard and other federal agencies are operating at a reduced capacity following US government shutdown, said North of England Protecting and Indemnity Association (North P&I Club).Since 21 December 2018, the US Government has been in shutdown following the failure of Congress to agree federal funding. With no end in sight, it is the longest shutdown in US history, it said."We have not received any indications as yet that the shutdown is causing significant disruption to shipping," said a statement from North P&I Club. However, it outlines how the federal agencies relevant to shipping are affected by the shutdown as follows:The…
CG Units To Participate In Coastal Trident 2014
The Coast Guard is scheduled to participate in training exercises Thursday, in the vicinity of Los Angeles Harbor and Long Beach Harbor. Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) San Diego 91109 will partner with U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection, Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) as participants in the Center for Asymmetric Warfare exercise Coastal Trident 2014. The Pacific Strike Team (PST) and National Guard 9th Civil Support Team will practice first aid and decontamination capabilities. MSST San Diego was created under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 in direct response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and is a part of the Department of Homeland Security’s layered strategy directed at protecting seaports and waterways.
US Lawmakers Warning of Dirty Bomb Threat to US Ports
GateKeeper USA Inc. (OTC Symbol: GTKP) announced that in a recent Bloomberg article, it was reported by Jeff Bliss that the US Backs Off All Cargo Scanning Goals. As reported by CBP (Customs & Boarder Protection), officials' port X-ray and Gamma-ray machines were only able to facilitate scanning 4.1% of the millions of containers that arrive in US ports each year. That percentage is consistent over the last several years. Even though DHS has publically admitted that with the utilization of existing technologies 100% screening of incoming containers would be nearly impossible, lawmakers continue to favor the mandate and stated that they are concerned about terrorists detonating a dirty bomb at a port, killing workers and rendering the facility and surrounding areas uninhabitable for years.
Proposed Reinterpretation of Jones Act
The US Customs and Boarder Protection (CBP) released an advance copy of a notice stating that it is withdrawing its July 17, 2009 proposed notice of modification and revocation of ruling letters regarding the agency’s position regarding application of the coastwise trade laws to certain merchandise and vessel equipment that are transported between coastwise points. The official version of the notice should be published shortly. (9/15/09). (Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)
CBP, CG Team Intercept Stowaways
A joint federal team was mobilized Sunday, Nov. 30, to investigate a report of three stowaways aboard a barge off of Mobile, Ala. The team was made up of members from U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection and the Coast Guard. The U.S. Coast Guard Station in Mobile received a call Sunday from the Captain of the tug/barge Ann T. Cheramie/Crimson Tide in reference to three stowaways onboard the vessel. At approximately 4:30 p.m. the vessel was secured at the Alabama State Dock’s River Pier and boarded. The joint boarding team completed an extensive search of the vessel, finding an additional stowaway for a total of four. The stowaways were escorted off the vessel and transported to the Mobile Border Patrol station for processing…
