National Administration News

A national table-top exercise on maritime security concluded in Tegucigalpa, Honduras (28-29 August). The aim of the event was to encourage a multi-agency approach to maritime security and maritime law enforcement issues. The exercise also highlighted the need for an integrated approach to the implementation of SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPSCode. Broader security measures were looked at with a view to strengthening national implementation of the special measures to enhance maritime security. Under the guidance of International Maritime Organization (IMO) consultants, participants reviewed and discussed a number of possible maritime and port security scenarios and identified gaps and opportunities for improvement…

On-board practice in assessing maritime security measures on a ship was a key feature of a recent workshop which took place in Montevideo, Uruguay (8-11 August). Some 45 participants, representing the national Administration and designated authority for maritime security, ship companies, recognized security organizations and ship security officers. The workshop was designed to equip participants with the necessary skill and knowledge to assess the effectiveness of International ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code implementation on board a ship, using as a basis International Maritime Organization (IMO)  guidance on voluntary self-assessment by administration and for ship security.

IMO/adopted guidelines for the mandatory carriage of damage stability verification instruments (software, computers, etc.) onboard all (new and existing) tankers beginning in January 2016. IMO has adopted guidelines and applicable IMO Code amendments for the mandatory carriage of damage stability verification instruments onboard new and existing tankers. Amendments to MARPOL Annex I, BCH Code, IBC Code, IGC Code and to the Survey Guidelines under HSSC to mandate the provision of a computer program capable of calculating the applicable damage stability requirements were agreed.

Videotel has launched a new edition of its Training, Mentoring and Assessment On Board program which supports the IMO requirement for a standardization of training and assessment for all member state countries as part of the revised and updated STCW - the ‘Manila Amendments’. Training, Mentoring and Assessment On Board covers the full range of revised competencies now required for certification as Deck Officers, Engineer Officers and the qualifications required for ratings. Nigel Cleave, CEO of Videotel, explained, “Training is a vital element to progress within the industry.

Lloyd’s Register releases new Rules, Class Notation and Guidance Notes for ‘Wind Turbine Installation and Maintenance Vessels and Liftboats’ to reflect industry best practice and new novel designs. The new Rules form part of the wider Mobile Offshore Unit Rule set 2013 launched by Lloyd’s Register in June, and is for vessels engaged in installation and/or maintenance activities relating to offshore wind turbines. It covers a number of unit types as well as liftboats, whose primary function is to provide support services to offshore wind turbine installations or other types of offshore installation. Vessels which comply with the requirements of the new Rules will be eligible for a new classification notation (MainWIND).

Evacuating large numbers of passengers is now easier than ever with the new VIKING fully automatic liferaft and slide system. Marine and fire safety equipment leader VIKING Life-Saving Equipment has developed a 153-person, open reversible liferaft and mini slide system packed into a single aluminum stowage box. Named the VAS (VIKING Automatic Slide), and designed and certified for vessels on domestic voyages such as ferries sailing in protected waters, the liferaft and slide system enables crew to evacuate up to 153 people in one go.While its size and evacuation capacity may be impressive…

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta announced the appointment of Julie Nelson as Chief Counsel for the Department’s Maritime Administration. “Julie brings the right combination of experience to the job,” said Acting Maritime Administrator John Jamian. “Her experience in industry and her credentials in the field of Maritime and Admiralty Law give her a solid understanding of the work we do here,” he said. Nelson joins MARAD from Oceaneering International, Inc., an ocean engineering development group, where she served as General Manager and Maritime/Contracts Attorney. Previously she served as General Counsel and General Manager for Nauticos Corporation of Hanover, MD, also a high-technology ocean engineering firm. Nelson received her B.G.S.