Baton Rouge – security zone - update
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Marine Safety Bulletin updating its security zone between mile 229 AHP at the I-10 Bridge to mile 235 at the Ben Burman Light in the vicinity of Baton Rouge. This security zone will be in effect through at least February 22, 2004. Vessels desiring to enter or operate in the zone must obtain approval from the COTP. For vessels carrying certain dangerous cargo (CDC), permission must be obtained at least four (4) hours prior to arrival. These requirements are in addition to the reporting requirements of the Inland River Vessel Movement Center. (1/2/04). (Source: HK Law)
America's Western River: A Unique Security Challenge
Since 9-11 all facets of the media have combined to focus national policy makers, in and out of government, along with the general public on the asymmetric terrorist threat facing the United States and its global trading partners. Lengthy newspaper articles or Op-ed pieces, documentaries on television such as The Learning Channel and the Discovery Channel, along with talk radio banter have spotlighted multiple areas of concern. These have included airplanes, tanker trucks, critical infrastructure and the country's bustling seaports such as New York and Los Angles. The maritime nexus in particular has received a lot of attention as over 90 percent of the nation's commerce travels by water.
Feature: Barge Movement Tracking of Certain Dangerous Cargoes (CDCs) Mandated
On May 2, 2003, the USCG published two Temporary Final Rules establishing Regulated Navigation Areas (RNAs) in the Federal Register governing the movement (by barge) of Certain Dangerous Cargoes (CDCs) upon the inland rivers of the Eighth Coast Guard District and the Illinois Waterway System in the Ninth Coast Guard District. The rules will apply from April 16, 2003, until October 31, 2003. Any movement of CDCs by barge within the waters specified must be reported to the Inland River Vessel Movement Center (IRVMC) by telephone, fax, or e-mail. The USCG indicates that no Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was published as this notice falls under the exemption to the Administrative Procedures Act contained in the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002.
