Domestic Vessel News

Congressman John Garamendi and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker reintroduced the Energizing American Shipbuilding Act (H.R.3829), that seeks to revive domestic shipbuilding and maritime industries by requiring that increasing percentages of liquefied natural gas and crude oil exports be transported on U.S.-built, flagged and crewed vessels.The bill would require 15% of LNG exports to be carried on US-built ships by 2041 and 10% of crude oil exports to be carried on US-built ships by 2033.If enacted, the bill is expected to spur the construction of dozens of ships, supporting thousands of good-paying jobs in American shipyards, as well as the domestic vessel component manufacturing and maritime industries.According to an estimate from the Shipbuilders Council of America…

The Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has announced the publication of the 2018 Domestic Annual Report.The report highlights, U.S. domestic fleet deficiencies, inspections, and marine casualty statistics and serves as a powerful tool to study trends, identify key performance indicators, and bring attention to issues in the fleet.The report presents information reflecting the entire U.S. Flag fleet, including barges, cargo vessels, passenger vessels, vessels operating on the Outer Continental Shelf…

The evidence and industry subject matter experts both say ‘yes.’In its recently released SAFER SEAS DIGEST, Lessons Learned from Marine Accident Investigations (2017), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports investigating numerous accidents across all modes of transportation where a properly implemented safety management system (SMS) could have prevented injuries, loss of life, or material damage. That document spans analysis of casualties across the full spectrum of all manners of marine craft, blue water and brown, foreign and domestic.Different authorities and subject matter experts (SME) differ on how they might explain a SMS, but it all adds up to one thing. But, what is a Safety Management System?

On December 22, 2018, a continuing resolution passed by Congress to fund a portion of the U.S. Government into the 2019 fiscal year expired and was not renewed resulting in a partial federal government shutdown. Among the affected Executive Departments are the Department of Homeland Security (which includes the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection), the Department of Transportation (which includes the Maritime Administration), the Department of Interior (which includes the Bureau of Environment and Enforcement (BSEE) and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM))…

The Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance announced the release of the 2017 Domestic Vessel Annual Report, the first of its kind issued from the Coast Guard.The report collates data from the Coast Guard’s Marine Information Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database regarding vessel population, inspections conducted, and deficiencies issued for the 2017 calendar year.In 2017, the Coast Guard’s fleet of responsibility contained 12,189 vessels with active Certificates of Inspection (COI). There were 905 Marine Inspectors (MI) assigned to field units who conducted 18,424 inspections.

Congressional and Agency Actions to Implement Changes to U.S.-Flag Vessel Safety Requirements Three Years after the M/V El Faro IncidentOctober 1, 2018 marked three years since the tragic sinking of the M/V El Faro – ranking as one of the worst maritime disasters in U.S. history and resulting in the highest death toll for a U.S. commercial vessel sinking in almost 40 years. Following this incident, both the  National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and U.S. Coast Guard spent considerable  effort to investigate this incident.

Alison Nolan is General Manager and a fourth-generation owner of Boston Harbor Cruises (BHC), a company that moves more than 2.5 million passengers annually on its fleet of 60 vessels with more than 600 daily departures seven ports and more than 30 facilities. But the story of BHC and Alison Nolan transcends raw numbers; as the company and passenger vessel industry are in her DNA, more of a lifestyle than a career. She spoke with Maritime Reporter & Engineering News recently to address the rewards and challenges inherent in her position.

The October 1, 2015 loss of the U.S. cargo vessel El Faro along with its 33 member crew led to the convening of a Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation charged with determining as closely as possible the cause(s) of the casualty; whether there is evidence that any failure of material was involved; whether there is evidence of misconduct, inattention to duty, negligence, or willful violation of law; and whether there is evidence that government personnel contributed to the casualty. The Marine Board released its report on October 1, 2017, the second anniversary of the casualty.

Maritime Cook Islands (“MCI”) joined the international maritime community in a celebration of World Maritime Day 2016 on September 29. The theme for 2016 is “Shipping: indispensable to the world”, focusing on the critical link between shipping and the global society. In the days leading up to the World Maritime Day 2016, Cook Islands government bodies – Foreign Affairs, Port Authority, Ministry of Education, Police and Ministry of Transport – and MCI got together to organise a series of activities to commemorate this important day of the maritime community worldwide. Celebrations took place at Avatiu Harbour, Rarotonga, Cook Islands with activities predominantly involved in raising awareness of the industry to youths…

DONG Energy has awarded  offshore energy support vessel operator Seacat Services with the supply contract for all crew transfer services at its 258MW Burbo Bank Extension project under development in the Irish Sea. The four-vessel charter contract, with durations of three to 11 months, is the second such agreement signed between Seacat Services and DONG Energy in 2016, following the confirmation of a four-workboat construction support deal for the Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm in April. With a handful of remaining ‘Round 2.5’ extension projects due for installation in U.K.

A cadre of volunteers navigate the regulatory labyrinth and a host of safety requirements to bring back to life an enduring symbol the nation’s can-do spirit and resiliency. Early next year, a 78-foot Patrol Torpedo 305 boat, being restored at the National WWII Museum, should be U.S. Coast Guard compliant and ready for passengers. The fast-attack PT-305, equipped with cannons, torpedoes and machine guns, served in the Mediterranean in 1944 and 1945, operating from Bastia, Corsica.

Rear Admiral Paul Thomas is the Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy overseeing three Coast Guard directorates: Inspections and Compliance, Marine Transportation Systems, and Commercial Regulations and Standards. The programs include waterways management, navigation and boating safety, ports and facilities, merchant mariner credentialing, vessel documentation, marine casualty investigation, commercial vessel inspections, and port state control. A longtime specialist in Marine Safety…

Tom Allegretti, Chairman of the American Maritime Partnership (AMP), the voice of the domestic maritime industry, today highlighted the continued renaissance of the nation’s maritime sector, particularly its robust response to meet new water transportation demands created by the surge in domestic energy production. “The domestic maritime industry, with the Jones Act as its statutory foundation, is investing heavily to meet the transportation demands of a booming energy economy,” Allegretti said.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) informs that the  latest maritime developments will be the focus at the inaugural combined national shipping and domestic commercial vessel conference in Melbourne in November, 2014. AMSA Chief Executive Officer Mick Kinley said it was the first time a combined shipping and domestic vessel conference had been held by AMSA. “Maritime 2014 will bring together international, national and regional representatives who make up this important industry, from the largest ship to the owner operator of a domestic commercial vessel,” Mr Kinley said. It is the first conference hosted by AMSA since the commencement of the Navigation Act 2012 and the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessels) National Law Act 2012 on July 1, 2013.

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation today heard first hand about America’s booming domestic maritime industry from Mark Tabbutt, Chairman of the Board of Saltchuk, one of the country’s most recognized transportation and distribution companies, who was testifying on behalf of the American Maritime Partnership (AMP). Tabbutt told Subcommittee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) and Ranking Member Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) that American maritime, supported by the Jones Act, is strong, vibrant, and growing. “Our industry is experiencing an extraordinary renaissance and its contributions to America’s economic, national and homeland security have never been more important,” said Tabbutt.

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation today heard first hand about America’s booming domestic maritime industry from Mark Tabbutt, Chairman of the Board of Saltchuk, one of the country’s most recognized transportation and distribution companies, who was testifying on behalf of the American Maritime Partnership (AMP). Tabbutt told Subcommittee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) and Ranking Member Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) that American maritime, supported by the Jones Act, is strong, vibrant, and growing. “Our industry is experiencing an extraordinary renaissance and its contributions to America’s economic, national and homeland security have never been more important,” said Tabbutt.

The 2014 Canadian Ferry Operators Association (CFOA) annual AGM & Conference is scheduled to take place September 29-30 in Quebec City. The two-day conference will feature presentations on topics such as energy optimization and sustainability, several informative technical sessions and a trade show featuring exhibits from some of the ferry sector’s leading suppliers. This year’s conference speakers include: David Bolduc, Executive Director, Green Marine David Stocks, President, 3GA Marine Associates Julie Gascon, Executive Director, Domestic Vessel Regulatory Oversight and Boating Safety,  Transport Canada Esther Dormage, Cofounder, Ellio cfoa.ca/conference

Seven men have been issued a $2,040 infringement notice after deliberately jumping from a moving domestic commercial vessel into the Brisbane River, informs the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Queensland Water Police Senior Sergeant Warren Francis, said this was an extremely dangerous stunt and the men were lucky to escape injury. “The risk of injury or death is very high with this type of activity and it was an extremely reckless and dangerous stunt. The Queensland Police Service reminds people that any report of unsafe action on the water will be fully investigated and reported to the appropriate authority for prosecution,” Senior Sergeant Francis said.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) says its Domestic Vessel Division is to begin a thorough consultation process with domestic vessel operators, starting in Hervey Bay shortly in an attempt to streamline the National System and reduce red tape. (The National System for Domestic Commercial Vessels came into effect on July 1, 2013). AMSA Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mick Kinley explained that the National System had created one system for qualifications and standards for commercial operators nationwide. The Authority will run a series of consultation sessions across Australia to improve the system and streamline elements of it to make it easier and cheaper for the industry to comply with domestic vessel safety requirements.

Ben Billings serves as President & CEO of the Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA), a nationwide trade association headquartered in New Orleans that represents more than 200 member companies. OMSA’s membership includes approximately 100 firms operating more than 1,200 vessels that provide transportation services to the offshore oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico and around the world. It’s arguably a very good time to be at the helm of OMSA, with a resurgent U.S.

Long awaited, much hyped, the new rules require compliance in January. Will industry and more importantly, the response community, be ready? In September, the U.S. Coast Guard published the long awaited Non-tank Vessel Response Plan (NTVRP) and Other Response Plan regulations. The U.S. Coast Guard cites “Improved preparedness and reaction to an incident, including a worst case discharge, and improved effectiveness of shore-side and onboard response activities” as the primary benefits of the new rule. For all affected vessels, a mandatory compliance date of January 30, 2014 looms large the porthole. The regulations impact self-propelled non-tank vessels of 400 gross tons or greater that operate in navigable waters of the United States and carry any kind of oil as fuel for main propulsion.

Nothing stirs the maritime pot like new regulation, and coming soon to you (in less than a month) is the new iteration of the Vessel General Permit (VGP). The VGP applies to vessels operating in a capacity as a means of transportation, that have discharges incidental to their normal operations into waters subject to this permit, except recreational vessels. Unless otherwise excluded from coverage, the waters subject to this permit means “territorial seas” of the U.S. The Clean Water Act (CWA) does not require NPDES permits for vessels or other floating craft operating as a means of transportation beyond the territorial seas, such as in the contiguous zone or ocean. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a replacement VGP permit under its authority from the CWA.

Commitment Class Jones-Act Ships to Offer Lower Emissions; Increased Speed, Reliability and Capacity, and Optimized Vehicle Shipping Decks. The next chapter in Crowley’s storied history of shipping and logistics services between the United States mainland and Puerto Rico will be written with larger, faster and environmentally-friendly liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered, combination container – Roll-On/Roll-Off (ConRo) ships. Crowley today announced that it has signed a contract with VT Halter Marine Inc.…