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Welcome to the Maritime Spotlight. Here you'll find hundreds of pages of information on current and recent developments, port security, government compliance, legislation and court decisions. You can access links to industry resources and organizations and archived materials on maritime matters, as well.


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Status of US Ports (10/6/08)

No significant changes in the security status of US ports have been brought to our attention in the preceding 72 hours. For a summary of maritime security requirements in the United States, access the Port Security page of our Web site - Maritime Spotlight - Port Security.

Boston – owner, manager & chief engineer indicted

The US Attorney for the District of Massachusetts issued a

news release stating that the owner, manager, and chief engineer of a tanker have been indicted on charges of covering up discharges to oil-contaminated waste water into the ocean. Charges include conspiracy, failing to maintain an accurate oil record book, and making a false statement to the US Coast Guard relating to alleged use of a pipe to bypass the oily water separator in the engine room on the tanker. (10/2/08).

IMO – agenda for MEPC session

The IMO issued a

news release summarizing the agenda for the upcoming session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC). The major items to be undertaken at this session relate to air emissions from ships and the recycling of ships. (10/3/08).

Los Angeles – investigation of suspected collision

The US Coast Guard issued a

press release stating that it is investigating a suspected collision between a recreational vessel and a barge after finding a large debris field in waters off the Port of Los Angeles. (10/3/08).

Lower Mississippi River – bunker spill

The US Coast Guard issued a

press release stating that it is responding to a bunker fuel spill from a freighter at approximately MM 135 AHP on the Lower Mississippi River. The incident is under investigation. (10/5/08).

Mobile – radiation monitors installed

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a

news release stating that radiation portal monitors have been installed at the Port of Mobile. The monitor provides a passive, non-intrusive means to screen trucks and other conveyances for the presence of nuclear and radiological materials. (10/3/08).

New Orleans – update

The US Coast Guard issued a

Marine Safety Bulletin advising that the safety zone on the Lower Mississippi River for vessels operating above MM 191 AHP limits vessels with drafts greater than 40 feet to daylight transit only. This restriction is due to the number of aids to navigation that were damaged in the recent hurricanes and have not been fully restored. The safety zone in the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) has been reduced. It now extends from the Florida Avenue Bridge (MM 1.7) to the L&M Bridge (MM 2.9) and includes the turning basin east to MM2 East of the Harvey Locks on the GIWW. Vessels are required to transit at the slowest safe speed at MM 55 AHP due to a partially submerged barge. (10/2/08).

NOAA – indirect cost rates re marine sanctuaries

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a notice providing the indirect cost rates on the recovery of indirect costs for its component organizations within the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries involved in natural resource damage assessment and restoration activities for fiscal year 2006. These indirect cost rates are applied to the direct costs for injuries to sanctuary resources caused by release of oil or hazardous substances.

73 Fed. Reg. 58126 (October 6, 2008).

UK – report re fire on ro-ro ferry

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued a summary of its

preliminary examination of a fire that occurred on a ro-ro passenger ferry in Pembroke on 30 July 2008. The fire was the result of thermal oil leaking from the heater coils into the thermal oil heater’s furnace. Although the damage was not serious, the fire was exacerbated by the lack of means to close off the air intake and the lack of a place in the system for injecting an extinguishing medium. (10/3/08).

USCG – changes to ALJ process

The US Coast Guard issued a

press release stating that it has established a toll-free number [866-612-7524] for the help desk at the USCG Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Docketing Center to assist parties in filing documents and understanding the process used in adjudicating charges against US merchant mariners. In addition, involved parties will now be provided free copies of hearing transcripts. To improve transparency, the transcripts will also be posted on the Coast Guard’s Homeport website. (10/3/08).