Subsea Discovery: SOI Releases Images from Study of NW Australian Deep Corals
Scientists circumnavigate and map the seafloor of the entire mesophotic (deep water) zone in Ashmore Reef Marine Park.Scientists discovered a sea snake thought to be locally extinct and saw several species such as the great spotted cowrie (Perissersoa guttata) for the first time in the Ashmore Reef Marine Park, off Australia, during Schmidt Ocean Institute's 18-day expedition that concluded this week.A team of scientists, led by Dr. Karen Miller of the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)…
Montgomery McCracken Names Two Maritime Attorneys to Firm Partnership
Montgomery McCracken announced it has named attorneys Robert E. O’Connor and Davis Lee Wright to the firm’s partnership. O’Connor, located in the firm’s New York office, was previously an associate. Wright, who is located in the firm’s Wilmington office, was of counsel. O’Connor is a general litigator and a member of the firm’s Maritime and Transportation practice group. He represents insurers, owners and operators of vessels, and marine fuel suppliers among others. O’Connor also…
'USS Guardian' Navy Update
The Navy has determined that 23-year old 'USS Guardian' will be dismantled & removed in sections from the reef. "Guardian is badly damaged and with the deteriorating integrity of the ship, the weight involved, and where it is grounded on the reef, dismantling in sections is the only supportable option," said Capt. Darryn James, U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesman. The first Navy contracted floating crane from Singapore is due to arrive in the next few days, and then the dismantling operation will take more than one month.
Hurricane Isaac Passed, 'Jireh' Salvage Continues
Salvage crews & coral ecologists return to Mona Island, Puerto Rico, to cut apart the grounded freighter M/V Jireh. The U.S. Coast Guard and the rest of the response crew have been working carefully to cut up portions of the ship, in order to lighten the vessel enough to refloat and remove it from the reef. Once disassembled, the removed portions of the ship are loaded onto a barge and taken to Puerto Rico for recycling. In previous ship salvage cases involving coral habitats…
Ship Assessed $565,796 for Coral Damage
Ship Assessed $565,796 for Coral Damage The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a News Release stating that a ship was assessed a total of $565,796 for coral damage caused by anchoring in a no-anchor zone in the Dry Tortugas Ecological Reserve of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. On the total, $100,000 was to pay for response and natural resource damage assessment, with the remainder for further monitoring and restoration. Source: HK Law
Keys Coral Reefs First In U.S. To Receive International Protection
historic steps through the International Maritime Organization to create the first U.S. and collisions from large international ships. square nautical miles and is one of only five such areas in the world. Starting Dec. 1, ships greater than 164 ft. in length transiting the zone will be held to internationally accepted and enforceable rules. areas within the zone altogether and abide by three no-anchoring areas within the zone. the Florida Particularly Sensitive Sea Area and address, these protective measures. More than 40 percent of the world's commerce passes through the Florida Straits each year. since 1997. resources while simultaneously supporting shipping and economic growth. Secretary of Commerce Samuel W. the Commerce Building in Washington, D.C. from U.S.
