Curtas do Bryant´s

Gulf of Mexico oil spill – photo release

The Unified Command issued a photo release showing cofferdam being loaded for transport to the offshore oil spill and, in a separate photo, a controlled burn of contained oil. (5/5/10).

FMC – monitoring potential impacts of Gulf of Mexico oil spill

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a news release stating that it is monitoring the potential effects of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill on shipping lines, rates, schedules, ports, and terminals. (5/5/10).

USCG – cascading of OSRO resources in support of oil spill

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that a large quantity of oil spill response resources have been diverted for involvement in the response to the Deepwater Horizon/Mississippi Canyon 252 oil spill. Most of those resources are from various Captain of the Port (COTP) zones on the Gulf of Mexico. As discussed in the notice, the major oil spill removal organizations (OSROs) notified the Coast Guard when they diverted resources to respond to the recent spill. They have submitted cascade plans to the Coast Guard explaining how they will backfill for those diverted resources in the event of a worse case discharge (WCD) or maximum most probable discharge (MMPD) within the affected zones. Spill response plan holders (vessel and facility), though, are responsible for ensuring that the OSRO(s) designated in their plans are capable of responding to covered discharges. Guidance to vessel and facility response plan holders in relation to the cascading of OSRO resources is provided in NVIC 01-07. (4/30/10). Note: This item is repeated from yesterday, but (at the request of a long-suffering reader) I have added a link to the relevant NVIC.

Massachusetts – incidental taking of marine mammals

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a notice stating that it received an application for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to the commissioning and operation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) deepwater port (DWP) in federal waters off the coast of Massachusetts. Comments on the application should be submitted by June 7. 75 Fed. Reg. 24906 (May 6, 2010).

Senate – bills introduced oil spill liability

Senator Menendez (D-NJ) introduced two bills relating to oil spill liability. The first (S. 3305) is intended to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to require oil polluters to pay the full cost of oil spills, and for other purposes. The second (S. 3306) is intended to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require polluters to pay the full cost of oil spills, and for other purposes. Official text of the two bills is not yet available. (May 4, 2010).

Indian Ocean – tanker hijacked by pirates, freed by warship

The EU Maritime Security Centre-Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) issued a press release stating that an oil tanker was hijacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean approximately 350 nautical miles east of Socotra. The vessel, which has a crew of 23 Russian citizens, was not registered with the MSC-HOA for its recent transit of the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC), but it had reported to UKMTO. A second press release states that a Russian warship sent its helicopter to the hijacked vessel. The pirates fired on the helicopter. Upon learning that the crew was in a “safe room”, the helicopter returned fire. The pirates surrendered. The crew is safe and back in control of the vessel. (5/5/10).

Indian Ocean – ship evades piratical attack

The EU Maritime Security Centre-Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) issued a press release stating that a ship transiting the Indian Ocean approximately 200 nautical miles northwest of the Comoros Islands successfully evaded a piratical attack. (5/5/10).

Somali Basin – pirate action group detained

The EU Maritime Security Centre-Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) issued a press release stating that a pirate action group, consisting of a mother ship and two skiffs, was intercepted by an EU warship in the Somali Basin approximately 400 nautical miles northwest of the Seychelles. When one of the skiffs tried to flee, a marksman on the warship stopped it with disabling fire that destroyed both of the outboard engines. All twelve suspected pirates are being detained on the warship. (5/5/10).

EMSA – pollution preparedness and response services

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) posted a Fact Sheet summarizing pollution preparedness and response services in Europe. (5/5/10).

EC – reasoned opinion to Malta port state control

The European Commission (EC) issued a press release stating that it sent a reasoned opinion to the Maltese authorities for failure to implement properly the EU directive on port state control. During an inspection of Maltese practices, Malta failed to provide information requested (number of ship calls and number of inspectors) and failed to impose penalties. (5/5/10).

EC – closing discrimination case against Spain

The European Commission (EC) issued a press release stating that it has closed its legal case against Spain for discriminating against workers on the basis of nationality in accessing jobs on ships flying the Spanish flag. The decision to close the case follows Spain’s action to bring its legislation into line with EU law. (5/5/10). Fonte: Dennis Bryant.