Tag: USCG

  The U.S. Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology will host a spill preparedness conference May 20 - 21 at the Jackson Federal Building in Seattle. The two-day seminar is an opportunity to discuss the latest in spill-recovery theory and technology. The sessions focus on topics including remote oil sensing technology, sinking oils, software tools and best practices. "In the response business, there is no room for complacency,” said Capt. Robert Pearce, chief of response, Coast Guard 13th District. “Knowing about the latest game-changing technology is important. Opportunities are everywhere. We need to continue to identify them." The marine environment that dominates the Pacific Northwest is essential to the high quality of our lives. The balance between private and public interests in the waterways is constantly being tested and debated, because a potential for an oil spill always exists. To stay current with groundbreaking ideas in oil spill recovery and preparedness, state and federal agencies and industry are constantly looking for advancements in the field. This conference is intended to provide a forum for collaboration and innovation. Topics and expert speakers include: Subsurface Oil Detection and Mapping on Shoreline, Shallow Water and Inland Spills; Dr. Ed Owens, Principal/Coastal Consultants Ltd. ...

The USCG is responding to a 603-foot bulk carrier

NTSB has issued marine accident brief regarding vollision of Bulk Carrier Mesabi Miner and US Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock

  The United States National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) are performing a study on oily water separators (OWSs) and shipboard environmental management. The study, called MAX1, is being organized and managed by Messrs. Martin & Ottaway. A summary of the overall objectives of the study can be found here. As part of this study, a survey – which will be carried out on an entirely anonymous basis – has been developed to gather more information on actual OWS operations and shipboard waste management, particularly with regard to the point of view of shipowners/managers and vessel crews. The survey can be found here. Shipowners/managers  may wish to participate in this anonymous survey in order to provide information on their experiences with OWS systems and provide valuable feedback to the study. Martin & Ottaway have been involved in OWS work for many years. Part of the study is related to consolidation of the massive amount of information they have collected over those years. This is now available in the form of a chronology which may be of interest to Members. This chronology can be found here. Source: The American ClubIn the outbreak, I was outspoken with you ...

USCG is responding to a carrier which ran aground in in the St. Lawrence River

  The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) issued a policy letter regarding the design standards for U.S. Barges carrying LNG in bulk. The policy  recommends design details for barges carrying LNG in bulk within the existing regulatory framework.  The increase in domestic production of natural gas has generated renewed interest in the transportation of LNG in bulk via barge. Applications include the transportation of LNG between shore-based facilities along inland and coastal routes and the use of barges to bunker ships which use LNG as a fuel. All barges designed to carry LNG in bulk must meet the requirements of 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Chapter I, Subchapter D (Subchapter D); however, Subchapter D is silent on details with respect to many design aspects (e.g., it requires “adequate notch toughness”, “suitable material”, “suitable for the temperatures”, etc.) Self-propelled vessels carrying LNG, in addition to Subchapter D, are required to meet Part 154 in 46 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter O (Subchapter O), which provides more detail specific to carrying LNG in bulk. Non self-propelled vessels carrying LNG, however, are not required to meet Subchapter O. The USCG has received requests from industry seeking clarity regarding the application of Subchapter D to non-self-propelled vessels carrying ...

An aerial view of the submerged USS Arizona at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickham, Hawaii, shows the release of oil from the battleship’s corroding hull. (Image Credit: National Park Service)   A tank barge that sank amid rough seas on January 24, 1936, in Long Island Sound carried 500,000 gallons of heating oil. To officials at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, the submerged vessel, known as Cities Service Number 4, poses a serious risk of contaminating the tidal estuary should corrosion of the barge structure cause an oil leak. The hull and rivet structure of Cities Service No. 4 is similar to the Navy battleship USS Arizona, now a hallowed tomb for 1,177 men who died when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Oil still trickles from her damaged hull, which makes the vessel an ideal subject for corrosion rate analysis. In February, the National Park Service transferred hull and rivet pieces from the USS Arizona to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy for analysis by team of marine and environmental science majors. Three senior-level cadets are working to find parallels between the USS Arizona’s propensity for corrosion in the Pacific Rim and several wrecked vessels on the northeast ...

USCG issues Port Security Advisory The US Coast Guard (USCG) issued a Port Security Advisory (PSA) announcing that, effective 24 April, it is imposing conditions of entry on vessels arriving in the United States after having called at any port in Libya during their last five port calls.The USCG has determined that Libya is not maintaining effective anti-terrorism measures in all of its ports. Actions required as listed in paragraphs C and D of this Port Security Advisory take effect for all vessels that arrive in the United States on or after April 24, 2015, after visiting ports in Libya as one of the their last five ports of call.Furthermore, vessels are advised to proceed with extreme caution when approaching all Libyan oil terminals, particularly in eastern Libya, due to potential violent and criminal activity based upon recent attempts by armed, non-state actors to engage in illicit export of oil. UN Security Council Resolution 2146 authorizes the UN Sanctions Committee to impose certain measures on vessels attempting to illicitly export crude oil from Libya. This resolution imposes several restrictions regarding loading, transporting, or discharging crude oil from Libya which may include the possible denial of port entry.Actions Required by Vessels ...

The US Coast Guard (USCG) issued a Port Security Advisory (PSA) announcing that, effective 24 April

  The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is responding to an collision on the lower Mississippi River near Convent, Louisiana, Monday, 6 April. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received report at approximately 4:00 p.m., the motor vessel Privocean, a 751 foot bulk carrier, broke free from its mooring and drifted down river and collided with the 98 foot towing vessel Texas which was moored at the time. The crew of the Texas taken to hospital for medical evaluation but no injuries were reported at this time. The Privocean continued to drift down river and also collided with the motor vessel Bravo, an 816 foot tank ship, which was off loading crude oil at the time of the incident. The Bravo was able to complete emergency shutdown procedures before breaking free of her moorings and connection points, causing an oil spill. The Privocean was able to get underway and anchor at mile marker 162. The Bravo is half a mile down the river from its original position and is anchored with a two tug escort. All vessels are being actively being monitored by the U.S. Coast Guard response teams. The Mississippi River is closed from mile marker 163 to mile ...