Uscg District News

The Canadian Coast Guard's (CCG) annual icebreaking season on the Great Lakes, which provides assistance to the shipping industry, is underway. Working in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) District 9, the CCG has two icebreakers assigned to the Great Lakes for the entire winter season: CCGS Griffon and CCGS Samuel Risley. These vessels are supported as required by additional CCG vessels after the St. Lawrence Seaway reopens in March 2022.Although the St. Lawrence Seaway, Welland Canal and Sault Ste.

A mariner suffering extreme abdominal pain was airlifted from an oil tanker approximately 225 miles off Galveston, Texas, Tuesday.The U.S. Coast Guard said the captain of the Bahamas-flagged Chrysanthemum notified USCG District Eight watchstanders of the 28-year-old crewmember's condition, and that the watchstanders consulted with the duty flight surgeon who recommended the medevac.A Coast Guard Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a Coast Guard Sector/Air Station…

James “Jim” Kline, USCG (Ret)., has joined Martin, Ottaway, van Hemmen & Dolan, Inc. as an engineering and surveying consultant.Martin, Ottaway, van Hemmen & Dolan, Inc. is a New York area maritime consulting firm that has been in continuous operation since 1875. The firm provides engineering, operational, and financial analysis/ship valuation services to the worldwide maritime community. Each year the firm performs hundreds of projects related to new construction, ship surveys…

With the announcements that New York Waterway, a ferry operator running 32 boats around New York and New Jersey waters, had been largely shut down by the U.S. Coast Guard just prior to Thanksgiving, 2019, the reactions ranged from surprise to outright shock. There was also a great deal of grumbling, as commuters, the major customer group, endured delays on New York Waterway’s extensive network across the Hudson River, bringing New Jersey commuters into New York’s business districts.So, what happened?

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Navigation Center (NAVCEN) is involved in a number of activities that have an impact on all Americans, even if they don’t realize it.From motorists checking directions with their Global Positioning System (GPS) to boaters to ships coming and going to U.S. ports, the NAVCEN plays an unseen but vital role.With a staff of19 officers, 17 enlisted personnel and 19 civilians, NAVCEN falls under the Director of Marine Transportation Systems (CG-5PW) at USCG Headquarters…

The U.S. Navy has called off its search for a sailor missing from USS Lake Erie (CG 70) after four days scouring the eastern Pacific Ocean.U.S. Navy and Coast Guard assets suspended search and rescue operations at sunset, approximately 7:30 p.m. local time, Thursday, after an extensive search was unable to locate the sailor who was first reported missing Sunday.The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser was deployed on routine training operations with John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCS CSG) when it initiated man overboard procedures Sunday, at approximately 7 a.m.

An injured mariner was medevaced by U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) personnel near Sand Point, Wednesday, the USCG reported. Watchstanders at USCG District 17 command center received a report that a mariner aboard 48-foot fishing vessel Capt-Jay was suffering from a head injury. Watchstanders then consulted with the duty flight surgeon who recommended immediate medevac. A USCG Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew flew 230 miles from Kodiak, hoisted the 28-year-old man from the fishing vessel, and transported him to Sand Point.

This time last year, the U.S. Coast Guard was busy taking comments on the proposed rulemaking for Subchapter M. A very vocal discussion ensued, with the predominant comments focused on impending requirements for rebuilding vessel electrical systems, the standard six on six off “boxed” watch schedules and whether elements of the Crew Endurance Management Systems (CEMS) should be included in the rulemaking. As of today, the industry has yet to hear of any definitive outcome of Subchapter M discussions, or plans for a final rulemaking.

Units of the U.S. Navy Northern Command continues to work closely with civil authorites in Sandy clear up operations. Continue to clear debris from NJ Barrier Islands. Continue to provide afloat staging base and support to USCG District 1. Continue to rebuild Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook. Continue dewatering [or pumping out] of Rockaway Beach, NY, and Brooklyn public housing. Continued support by NMCB-11 and CRS-4 at Hoboken Ferry Terminal Port Authority. NECC’s Fleet Survey Team will go ashore in order to complete tasking in Jamaica Bay.

Ridge Global, an international provider of security and risk management services, has named Vice Admiral Brian Peterman (United States Coast Guard, Retired) and Matt Branigan as the newest members of Flag Bridge, a recently launched service focused on maritime risk and sovereignty management. "Strategic maritime challenges are increasing at an alarming rate," said Tom Ridge, Ridge Global President and CEO and former secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In addition to Peterman and Branigan, Flag Bridge members include: Admiral Tom Collins, 22nd Commandant of the USCG; Vice Admiral Jim Hull; former USCG Area Commander; Rear Admiral Norm Saunders, former USCG District Commander; and Dan Sheehan, former USCG Chief Information Officer.

Ridge Global Launches New Maritime Consulting Team - Flag Bridge; Top-tier Maritime Experts to Address Challenges in Global Maritime Risk and Sovereignty Management. Ridge Global, an international provider of security and risk management services, today announced the launch of Flag Bridge™, a new service focused on maritime risk and sovereignty management. The Flag Bridge team includes an elite cadre of former U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) admirals and distinguished maritime professionals…

The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI), organized the 12th Annual River Bell Awards Luncheon in Paducah, KY on Thursday, December 8, 2011. The awards paid tribute to three individuals whose labors have significantly enriched America’s waterways. A crowd of 335 joined SCI’s River Bell Awards committee in commending the work of Joseph H. Pyne, Chairman & CEO of Kirby Corporation; Eddie Conrad; and RADM Mary E. Landry (ret), former Commander of the United States Coast Guard 8th District. SCI established the River Bell Awards in 2000 to recognize the contributions of an individual, company or organization to the inland maritime industry. This year…

NAMEPA’s Environmental Intelligence in Maritime seminar held yesterday in Anchorage, Alaska was the forum for an examination of regulations surrounding resource extraction, and the readiness of response organizations and the government to address environmental challenges posed by this activity in Arctic regions. RADM Tom Ostebo, USCG District 17 Commander was joined by Marilyn Crockett of Alaska Oil and Gas Association, Mark Myers of the University of Alaska, Cam Toohey of Shell Oil Company, Larry Cotter of APICDA, RADM Duncan Smith of Blank Rome, Charles Parks of Tesoro and Ian Dutton of Alaska SeaLife Center. NAMEPA’s Founding Chairman, Clay Maitland, used the forum to issue a call for recognition of the critical opportunity presented by the Arctic, and the risks involved.

current topics with audience participation. 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. 1 – 3 p.m. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. information. 11 a.m. Argentina. and Mar del Plata—some statistics showing the increasing growth. 2 p.m. Record (EHR). processes. management and preventative care onboard cruise ships. targeted to the unique challenges of the cruise ship healthcare setting. 2:30 p.m. control the equipment operations on board cruises ships. not compatible with new hardware. Revive Image System. is now possible. and the ship is free to go on with shipboard operations. 3 p.m. 3:30 p.m. walls and floors. concrete slabs. TCNA Handbook. be covered. shower assemblies will be examined. railing assemblies. 4:30 p.m. 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. A view of the shape of the industry and a look ahead. Gerald R. Adam M. Daniel J. 3 - 5 p.m.

Rear Admiral (RADM) Paul Pluta, the man in charge of ensuring the security of the 361 ports and 95,000 miles of coastline in the U.S., had to quickly shift gears in the hours following September 11. Hired initially to beef up environmental protection and passenger vessel safety, Pluta realized after that day, that his role as Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection, U.S. Coast Guard, had changed dramatically in the hours following. September 11 began like any other for RADM Pluta. Working out of his office in Washington, D.C. where he was appointed to earlier that year by Coast Guard Admiral James Loy…

On July 1, 2003 the Coast Guard published in the Federal Register the long anticipated regulations concerning maritime port and vessel security. This is a major rulemaking printed in seven separate individual rulemakings. These rulemakings concern compliance with provisions of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) and implementation of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO's) International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The regulations incorporate the ISPS Code into the domestic maritime trade. The ISPS Code applies to all port facilities and vessels (MODUs, cargo & passenger vessels subject to SOLAS) in international trade. Any vessel not on the above list must still comply with the new security provisions of 33 CFR Parts 101 and 103.

Avondale Industries, Inc. has agreed to pay $357,750 in penalties for safety and health violations at its shipyard in Avondale, La., and implement a revised safety and health program as part of a settlement agreement announced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). "We are pleased Avondale has agreed to resolve this matter," said Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman. "Avondale's new management has shown they are serious about eliminating safety hazards. OSHA originally inspected the shipyard in October 1998 following union complaints of possible imminent danger from falls, and other health issues. Based on that inspection, OSHA issued 60 citations against the shipbuilder last April and proposed fines of $537,000.

This Customs Service document proposes to amend the Customs Regulations to provide for the temporary landing in the U.S. of vessel equipment in need of repair, without requiring entry of that equipment under a Temporary Importation Bond (TIB). It is proposed such equipment be permitted to be landed for repair and relading aboard the same vessel, subject to Customs issuance of a special permit or license for the landed equipment, under an International Carrier Bond. Uncertainty exists whether the relading of repaired equipment on vessels departing the U.S. would satisfy the TIB requirement that such merchandise be exported. The proposed amendments will eliminate this uncertainty while still allowing Customs adequate control over such unladings and ladings.

The Commander, First USCG District has published the final rule for the increased safety of towing vessels and tank barges operating in the Northeastern U.S. The regional rules will apply to tugs and tank barges operating between Maine and Northern New Jersey. The new regulations create four sets of safety measures for towing vessels and tank barges operating in the waters of the Northeastern U.S. The measures include positive control for barges, enhanced communications, voyage planning and areas of restricted navigation. These measures should reduce the risk of oil spills from the many tank barges operating in the waters of the region, thereby reducing the risk of environmental damage to the unique and sensitive marine environment.

The Commander, First USCG District has published the final rule for the increased safety of towing vessels and tank barges operating in the Northeastern U.S. The regional rules will apply to tugs and tank barges operating between Maine and Northern New Jersey. The new regulations create four sets of safety measures for towing vessels and tank barges operating in the waters of the Northeastern U.S. The measures include positive control for barges, enhanced communications, voyage planning and areas of restricted navigation. These measures should reduce the risk of oil spills from the many tank barges operating in the waters of the region, thereby reducing the risk of environmental damage to the unique and sensitive marine environment.

The USCG has issued an interim rule requiring anchors and emergency retrieval systems on tank barges and the vessels towing them in coastal and Great Lakes service. In a significant change from the October 1997 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), the rule requires all single-hulled tank barges operating on the U.S. territorial sea, the Great Lakes, Long Island Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and parts of Puget Sound, be equipped with an operable anchor system. In addition, both single- and double-hulled tank barges and the vessels towing them must be equipped with an emergency retrieval system, such as an emergency towline or an Orville Hook. The rule also requires equipment be maintained and inspected regularly, and crewmembers be trained and drilled in its use.

EPA is proposing an emission control program for new compression-ignition marine engines rated at or above 37 kW. The affected engines are used for propulsion and auxiliary purposes in a wide variety of marine applications. The standards proposed for these engines would require substantial reductions in oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter emissions to correspond with the next round of emission standards for comparable land-based engines. The proposed standards are expected to provide a significant reduction in oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter from emissions from this source. When combined with other mobile source emission control programs, the program will help provide long-term improvements in air quality in many port cities and other coastal areas.

The USCG has published and made effective an interim rule authorizing Captains of the Port (COTP) to grant exemptions from the First USCG District Regulated Navigation Area requirement for twin screw tugs or tug escorts for single-hulled tank barges. COTPs may grant exemptions until July 1, 2000, provided the operator demonstrates the barge employs an equivalent level of safety. When determining whether to grant an exemption, COTPs will consider several factors, including the availability of on-call tug assistance, time of transit, route, weather, environmental factors, amount and grade of cargo, existence and sufficiency of anchoring and retrieval equipment on manned barges, construction of the tank barge and the operator's overall safety record.