Curtas do Bryant´s

Bill introduced to strengthen OPA 90

Senator Cantwell (D-WA) introduced the Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act of 2009 (S. 684) to provide the Coast Guard and NOAA with additional authorities under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), to strengthen OPA 90, and for other purposes. Among other things, the bill would require the Secretary of State to enter into negotiations with Canada to ensure that tugboat escorts are required for tank vessels with a capacity of over 40,000 dwt in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Strait of Georgia, and Haro Strait. By September 1, 2010, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would be required to complete the electronic navigation chart suite of US coastal waters. The bill would amend OPA 90 to include within the definition of “responsible party” the owner of cargo oil in cases where the owner of such cargo oil knew or should have known that the vessel had a poor safety or operational record. (3/24/09).

Bill introduced to require double hulls

Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced the Oil Spill Prevention Act of 2009 (S. 685) to require new vessels for carrying oil fuel to have double hulls, and for other purposes. The bill, if enacted into law, would require US-flag vessels constructed under a contract entered into after enactment of the Act or delivered after August 1, 2010, with an aggregate oil fuel capacity of 600 cubic meters or more to comply with the protective fuel tank placement requirements of MARPOL Annex I. It would also clarify the authority of Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) personnel to issue directive orders to ships in emergency situations. It would establish a Merchant Mariners Medical Advisory Committee. The bill will also require a comprehensive study of marine casualty causation. It would also establish a fund for the protection and fair treatment of seafarers who are abandoned in the United States or are required to remain in the United States for an investigation or adjudication of Coast Guard-related matters. (3/24/09).

EU – two EU ships seized by pirates

The European Union (EU) issued a press release expressing concern that two EU chemical carriers had been seized by pirates during the previous 48 hours. It advised merchant vessels transiting off the coast of Somalia or through the Gulf of Aden to register with the website of the Maritime Security Centre for the Horn of Africa. Naval vessel patrols are conducted by EU NAVFORCE ATALANTA, CFT 151, the NATO maritime group, and Russian, Indian, Japanese, and Chinese warships. It is difficult, though, for those naval forces to provide protection to vessels of which they are unaware. (3/27/09). Fonte: Bryant´s Blog.