Predictability, or “Call your Designated Responder Early and Often”
Predictability is the aim of every human, company, or society.Humanity simply strives to increase its level of predictability whether as a person, or as a group of people. When humans attain a certain level of predictability, their hope for the future goes up and their level of anxiety goes down.Oddly, conservatives and progressives both strive for predictability, they just do it in different ways. A conservative will say: If nothing changes, then my predictability for the future will go up.
Salvage and Marine Firefighting Verification
The U.S. Coast Guard regulations regarding salvage and marine firefighting (SMFF) as elements of vessel response plans (VRPs) for tank vessels have been in place since December 31, 2008. On September 30, 2013, these regulations were expanded to include non-tank vessels with a capacity of 2,500 barrels or greater of fuel oil. The VRP requirement was established by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90). be resubmitted for approval of each significant change. The salvage and marine…
Steamship Mutual: US Vessel Response Plans – Contingency Plans
Washington State – Alaska – Non tank final rule & Washington State – Contingency Plan requirements. We refer to our circular no. B.613. As stated in that circular, every tank vessel and every other vessel over 300 GT is required under State law to file a contingency plan prior to entry into the waters of Washington State but that instead of filing his own plan an owner can subscribe to an umbrella oil spill contingency plan. Since publishing the abovementioned circular, Washington State Maritime Co-operative (WSMC) has changed its enrolment agreement and the version with footer “WSMC Enrolment Agreement – December 2013” conforms with the International Group’s guidelines on vessel response plans.
Lopez Joins T&T Bisso
Oscar Lopez joins T&T Bisso as an Assistant Project Manager and On-Site Coordinator, bringing more than 10 years of experience in Salvage Logistics support and Project Management. After serving on active duty in the U.S. Army, Lopez began his maritime career as a Salvage Diver for Titan Salvage in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., quickly moving to take over the management of Titan's ocean going Jack-Up barge fleet as well as acting as On-Site Project Coordinator on international salvage operations.
Resolve: “All In” on GOM Skimming Ops
Resolve Marine Group has deployed its fleet of vessels to serve the pollution prevention and oil skimming operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Resolve has been operating out of its Theodore, Alabama port since the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig on April 20, 2010. Resolve was initially deployed to support the firefighting effort on the Deepwater Horizon rig and has since deployed more than 50 vessels and floating assets in support of the oil spill skimming and clean-up activities, as a subcontractor to BP.
T&T Marine Salvage Responds to Oil Spill
T&T Marine Salvage helped clean up an oil spill after a collision between an oil tanker and a barge spilled 450,000 gallons of crude oil into the Sabine-Neches Waterway. T&T Marine Salvage responded to the oil spill by mobilizing 50 personnel. 20,000 ft of spill boom, a 1,500-bbl skimming vessel, response vessels, portable skimmers, eight portable fire pumps and other equipment. “T&T Marine cleanup operations were performed around the clock,” said Vice President Kevin Teichman.
Implosion on Ship, Gravesend Bay N.Y.
A concerted response by a member of the American Salvage Association (ASA), technical experts from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and New York City Fire Department (FDNY) averted the risk of a toxic material release from a chemical carrier anchored in Gravesend Bay near Brooklyn, N.Y. during the week of Feb. During operations with a barge alongside to transfer ethanol cargo, the 443-ft chemical carrier Sichem Defiance sustained an implosion on board. The main deck over a cargo tank collapsed and adjacent bulkheads were breeched. The ship’s cargo consisted of benzene LAB and ethanol, a dangerously volatile liquid. Following the violent event, the ship’s captain immediately notified Federal and port authorities.
T&T Bisso Refloats Sunken Drill Barge
T&T Bisso salvaged a 2,000-ton inland drill barge capsized by Hurricane Gustav in Southern Louisiana. T&T Bisso salvage engineers designed a method to right and refloat the inland drill barge using four derrick barges and a pull barge. “The rig sustained minimal damage from the hurricane so it was imperative that we use extreme care in salvaging the barge to mitigate further damage,” said W.A. “Beau” Bisso IV, president and chief executive officer of the company. The four derrick barges…
Texas – Barge Hits Well Head
Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur has responded to a report of a tug and barge that struck an inactive production well-head in Sabine Lake during the early hours of Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008. The well-head pipe was broken off approximately six feet above the water line and is releasing natural gas, condensate, and water. Although there are no threats to the public onshore, there is a light sheen in the area and the Coast Guard encourages marine traffic to stay clear. Results from an over flight conducted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and Coast Guard indicate no shoreline impacts in either Texas or Louisiana at this time. Initial reports suggest that there was no damage to the tug and barge.
Docked Vessel Struck, Damaged
General Maritime Management reported last week that their vessel, the Genmar Alexandra, (oil tanker, built 1992, double hull, 102262 dwt) while safely docked at a terminal in St. Charles, La., was struck by the bulk carrier Bright State, (built 1989, approx. 36000 grt). The collision resulted in a hole in one of the Genmar Alexandra's auxiliary fuel tanks and the release of approximately 500 barrels of fuel oil into the river. There were no injuries and no cargo was lost. General Maritime Management has activated its emergency response plan and its U.S. spill response contractor Gallagher Marine Systems is onsite. Oil containment and recovery operations have been initiated in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Ship Runs Aground Off St. Croix
Less than a half-mile west of the channel entrance to Krause Lagoon, the freighter Sea Cloud remains hard aground in the amidships area after a failed attempt to enter the channel yesterday morning. A Coast Guard team from St. Croix immediately responded to the incident and was assisted by a second team from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Coast Guard and local authorities along with the salvage company and environmental response contractor hired by the responsible party are working together to remove the vessel while minimizing the risk of pollution and damage to the surrounding environment. Sea Cloud is carrying a cargo of non-hazardous dry-goods loaded in containers…
Ship Fined for Failure to Have Oil Spill Readiness Plan
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has levied an $8,500 fine to the Greek shipping firm Marmaras Navigation Co. Ltd. for operating a cargo vessel in Washington waters without a state-approved oil spill readiness plan. The penalty against Marmaras Navigation marks the first time Ecology has levied a fine under its new oil spill contingency plan rule adopted in October 2006. Ecology requires that cargo and passenger ships, tank vessels, oil storage facilities and pipeline companies demonstrate that they can mount an effective, timely response if they spill oil. Under the rule, the vessel must either have their own approved spill readiness plan or be enrolled in one of the two non-profit organizations with approved plans that cover vessels in Washington.
