Tag: USCG

GPS enhanced EPIRBs will include the distress position The US Coast Guard strongly urges vessel owners/operators to replace and upgrade existing Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) with newer ones that include the GPS transmission feature.To view the Advisory please click here Source: USCG

New solution for electronic Notice of Arrival/Departure compliance Communications provider Datacom has announced the launch of its new solution for electronic Notice of Arrival/Departure (eNOAD) compliance.eNOAD is a requirement by the United States Coast Guard (USCG), which obliges a representative (i.e. the captain or fleet operator) of a vessel to notify the USCG upon arrival and departure at the US border.Fulfilling this obligation, says Datacom, can create an administrative challenge, especially if vessels were not previously required to carry a satcom system with access to the internet.As a result Datacom and KVH have jointly created a system for the workboat sector, incorporating KVHs mini-VSAT broadband system using 60cm or 30cm antennas, and offering specialised rate plans.This solution now makes it affordable for vessels like tugs, barges, and fishing boats to get reliable broadband service, said John Poindexter, CEO of Datacom.Theres no better combination of size, speed, and coverage on the market today"Source: Digital Ship

Response Plans for Hazardous Substances The U.S. Coast Guard has proposed regulations regarding Tank Vessel Response Plans for Hazardous Substances and Marine Transportation-Related Facility Response Plans for Hazardous Substances.These proposed regulations were published (in 1999) to implement the requirements put into place by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, but were never published as Final Rules. As a result of the lapse in time since the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the Coast Guard has reopened the comment period to allow for any additional or updated comments and feedback before publishing these as Final Rules.INTERTANKO had, in response, submitted comments to the USCG in March 1999. However following discussions within the Association's Chemical Tanker Committee (CTC) and its Chemical Tanker Committee, Americas (CTSCA), it was decided to review the comments submitted in 1999 and to submit fresh, updated comments. INTERTANKO has also liaised with the Chamber of Shipping, Americas (CSA) and the International Group of P&I Clubs (IG) who have also submitted comments.The comments submitted to the USCG in response to their request for comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) can be accessed hereINTERTANKO, on behalf of its Members, continues to work closely with the U.S. Coast Guard ...

The one sank with 16 persons aboard The Coast Guard is responding to a report of a collision between two vessels. Wendesday, 10 miles south of Gulfport near Ship Island in the Gulf of Mexico.At 8:50 pm, watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Gulfport were notified that a collision had occured between the Sandy Point, a 163-foot fishing vessel, and a 660-foot container vessel, the Eurus London, approximately eight miles offshore Gulfport between Cat Island and Ship Island. The Sandy Point sank, following the collision with 16 persons abroad.A pilot boat safely recoverd 11 people from the water and transferred them to the fishing vessel Frosty Morn. Two additional crewmembers of the Sandy Point made it on theri own to the Eurus London.The Coast Guard is currently searching for three people who were aboard the Sandy Point.The Coast Guard has established a safety zone of approximately 25-square miles between Cat Island and Ship Island south of Gulfport to allow for safe search and rescue and pollution response operations.The cause of the accident is under investigation.Source: USCG

Required to submit a pre-arrival notice All ships to be lightered (STBL) in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States (including the US EEZ) are required to submit a pre-arrival notice at least 24 hours in advance to the relevant USCG Captain of the Port (COTP).Sector Houston/Galveston issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) explaining the requirement and a template for possible use in notifying either COTP Houston/Galveston or COTP Port Arthur.To view the Marine Safety Information Bulletin please click hereSource:USCG

The issue includes matters which may advance the investigation The US Coast Guard issued a letter to Parties-In-Interest (PIIs) in Deepwater Horizon Investigation reminding them of the opportunity to provide input to the Coast Guard on matters which may advance the investigation.Issues of interest include: the explosions, the resulting fire, evacuations, the flooding and sinking of the MODU, and the safety systems onboard the Deepwater Horizon.To view the letter please click hereSource: USCG

Implementation of the new assumed average The US Coast Guard issued guidance for implementation of the new Assumed Average Weight Per Person (AAWPP) with respect to existing passenger vessels.Effective December 1, 2011, the AAWPP for use in determining the maximum number of persons permitted on a vessel will be 185 pounds. Previously, the assumed weight in most situations was 160 pounds.To view the policy letter please click hereSource: USCG

Coast Guard continues clean up Coast Guard pollution response teamscontinuecleanup efforts and pollution assessments of Luquillo Beach Tuesday, after receiving a report that oily tar balls had been located on the shoreline.Coast Guard pollutions responders expect to conclude cleanup and recovery efforts to collect oilytar balls on Luquillo BeachTuesday, after shoreline and offshorecleanupassesmentsby pollution investigatorsaboard CoastGuardMH-65 Dolphin helicopters and surface unitsrevealed no additional findings of further contamination in the water.Coast Guard pollution responders will continue to monitorfor any additional signs of pollutionand are prepared to respond and mitigate any potential future environmental impacts in the area."We are working with local and federal partners as well as specialized oil recovery contractors to clean the tar balls from Luquillo Beach," said Capt. Eduardo Pino, Sector San Juan commander. "The Coast Guard has accessed the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to immediately execute oil and pollution clean-up efforts to mitigate any environmental hazards associated with the contamination."Coast Guard Watchstanders in Sector San Juan initially received notification of the oily tar ball report at approximately 3:30p.m. Monday from Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources personnel in Luquillo.The Coast Guard immediately accessed the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSTLF) to initiate pollution cleanup ...

Wider Caribbean Region Special Area The United States Coast Guard (USCG) announces the date for the entry into effect of discharge requirements from ships in the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR) special area (SA) as specified in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex V, Regulation 5 and Coast Guard regulations. MARPOL Annex V and the US regulations apply to vessel and reception facility activities in the WCR region.The date of entry for discharge requirements in the WCR SA as 1 May 2011 was adopted via IMO Resolution MEPC.191(60).The discharge restrictions are contained in 33 CFR 151.71 which reads in full as follows:(a) When a ship is located in a special area referenced in 151.53 of this part, no person may discharge garbage from the ship, except as allowed in paragraph (b) or (c) in this section.(b)Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, disposal into the sea of victual waste must be made as far as practicable from land but, in any case, not less than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land.(c)Disposal into the Wider Caribbean region of victual wastes which have been passed through a comminuter or grinder shall be made as ...

26-foot sailboat collided with a 901-foot container ship Coast Guard and Long Beach Lifeguard rescue crews assisted the passengers of a 26-foot sailboat after it collided with a 901-foot container ship in the Port of Los Angeles, at 4:30 a.m., Friday morning.Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles - Long Beach Command Center personnel received a call on VHF marine radio channel 16 from the master of the sailboat Free Spirit, reporting a collision with the container ship YM Plum approximately one mile southwest of Angels Gate.The YM Plum reported no damage to its hull, however, the sailboat suffered minor damage to its stern.There were no reports of injuries or pollution stemming from the incident, and sailboat was towed to Cabrillo Marina in San Pedro.The cause of the collision is under investigation.The Coast Guard reminds boaters that the entrances and navigation channels inside the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are considered Narrow Channels as described in Rule 9 of the of the Navigation Rules of the Road.As such, small boat operators are reminded that all vessels under 65 feet, sailing vessels and vessels engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of a vessel that can safely navigate only within ...