Coast Guard’s Proposed Maritime Preemption Assessment Framework
In the May 2013 issue of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News, Dennis Bryant published a provocative article titled Rebuilding the Presumption of Preemption. The Coast Guard has asserted in the past and believes today that consistent standards of universal application and enforcement, coupled with Federal initiatives to meet unique regional concerns, best meet local and national safety and environmental goals with the least disruption to maritime commerce. 78 Fed. Reg. 79,243.
The Coast Guard’s Proposed Maritime Preemption Assessment Framework
What it may foretell about the coming towing vessel rule. In the May 2013 issue of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News, Dennis Bryant published a provocative article titled Rebuilding the Presumption of Preemption. The Coast Guard has asserted in the past and believes today that consistent standards of universal application and enforcement, coupled with Federal initiatives to meet unique regional concerns, best meet local and national safety and environmental goals with the least disruption to maritime commerce. 78 Fed. Reg. 79,243.
PVA: Improve USCG Form 2692 Requirements
In a letter responding to a Federal Register notice about the renewal of Coast Guard Form 2692, Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) President Jay Spence insisted that the Coast Guard issue new instructions clarifying the circumstances in which a Form 2692 should or should not be submitted by passenger vessel operators. The Coast Guard solicited comments on its proposed application to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) renewing approval of Coast Guard Form 2692. OIRA is part of OMB and was created as a result of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980.
Not in Compliance with Ballast Rules? You Will Pay
The U.S. Coast Guard published regulations establishing penalties for ships headed to the U.S. that fail to submit a ballast water management reporting form, as well as vessels bound for the Great Lakes or portions of the Hudson River that violate mandatory ballast water management requirements. These regulations also increase the number of vessels subject to the reporting and recordkeeping provisions and expand the reporting and recordkeeping requirements on ships, increasing the Coast Guard’s ability to prevent the introduction of nonindigenous species as required by the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act and the National Invasive Species Act.
OMSA to Host Legal Forum
The Offshore Marine Service Association will hold the 2nd annual OMSA Legal Forum on Thursday, November 15 at the Hilton New Orleans - St. Charles Avenue Hotel. This event is a practical common-sense look at the legal issues facing the offshore workboat sector. Some of the topics will include a look at shipyard contracts from both the vessel owner and the shipyard’s perspective, the impact of the proposed Coast Guard medical fitness for duty standards and case studies of offshore collisions involving both vessels and rigs. The forum will also feature speakers from the U.S. Coast Guard who will talk about new policies that affect the offshore industry and private investigators who will talk about using surveillance techniques to bolster a legal case.
