Curtas do Bryant´s

Mississippi River – closed due to barge breakaway

The US Coast Guard issued a news release stating that Mississippi River between mile markers 750 and 771, approximately 20 miles north of Memphis, has been closed to navigation. The towboat Cooperative Enterprise was pushing 42 barges containing corn or soybeans when they broke away. Of those, 16 have been recovered and 26 are aground. Response efforts are ongoing. The incident is under investigation. (11/19/16) [http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2901922/].

EPA – $41,000 water pollution fine

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a news release stating that, under a settlement for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act, the shipyard in Stonington, Maine will pay a fine of $41,000 and take appropriate steps to protect water quality. The EPA alleged that the shipyard, without authorization, discharged wastewater from its boat-washing operations in waters connecting with Penobscot Bay. (11/18/16) [https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/shipyard-takes-action-protect-water-quality-stonington-maine].

MREN – America needs icebreakers

In the November 2016 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News, you will find my article entitled "America needs icebreakers". Vessel traffic and maritime activity is increasing in the polar regions and yet the United States has only one operational polar icebreaker, and that one is past its prime. I recommend that the United States commit itself to the construction of one new polar icebreaker every five years for the foreseeable future. If this is done, the nation will have a reasonably sized, creditable presence in the Arctic and Antarctic. (11/18/16) [http://www.brymar-consulting.com/wp-content/uploads/MREN/MREN161100.pdf]. Fonte: Dennis Bryant.