Admiral: Coast Guard not ‘aggressively enforcing’ response rules
A U.S. Coast Guard admiral testified to Congress that the service has not been aggressively ensuring that vessels’ salvage and firefighting plans comply with federal regulations.
Rear Adm. Paul Thomas told a House subcommittee in May that because of a lack of resources, the Coast Guard “has not been aggressively enforcing the compliance” of vessel response plans filed under federal salvage and marine firefighting (SMFF) regulations.
The 2009 rules on the availability of 19 types of salvage services stem from the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) and are designed to prevent spills caused by a fire or explosion on a vessel. The enforcement of those rules was the subject of the May 3 hearing by the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Thomas, as assistant commandant for prevention policy, does not oversee compliance with the SMFF regulations. His assertion that insufficient resources prevent checking on whether shippers and response companies have proper plans in place aligned with concerns raised by the subcommittee chairman and some industry stakeholders.
Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., asked the Coast Guard official why vessel insurers don’t require better compliance to reduce their risk. “I think one of the reasons, and I think that most of the panel members here would agree, is because the Coast Guard has not been aggressively enforcing the compliance,” Thomas said.
This story is from the October November 2017 edition of Professional Mariner.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October November 2017 edition of Professional Mariner.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Mariner's role still unknown as autonomous shipping gains speed
Mariners’ role still unknown as autonomous shipping gains speed
Piracy edges closer to home with wave of raids in southern Gulf
In the brief cellphone video recorded by a crewmember on the offshore supply vessel (OSV) Remas, the pirates walk back and forth on the deck of the ship, clenching their guns and using them to point as they order around the crew. Their faces are draped in clothing and bandanas.
Casualties
NTSB: Dredge hit Texas gas pipeline, causing fire that killed four
IMO emissions report raises new concerns about methane slip
A recent report from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reveals that global shipping emissions increased nearly 10 percent from 2012 to 2018, with the industry facing a growing challenge concerning methane slip.
Bay State brothers find industry niche by making old into new
Zero non-conformities is what you want to hear when the U.S. Coast Guard inspects your tugboat. Once you’ve prepared your vessel, the inspectors come aboard to peruse your paperwork. They ask you pointed questions, to which they expect straightforward answers. Perusal completed, they then scrutinize all of the related safety systems, from bilge to antennas — even the ship’s bell.
Signals
A year into the pandemic, thousands ‘essentially indentured’ on ships
Analysis points to faulty loading, low ballast in Golden Ray rollover
While the salvage of the sunken vehicle carrier Golden Ray has been delayed for months due to COVID-19 and the hurricane season, analysis by the U.S. Coast Guard has determined a possible cause for the rollover: a combination of vehicles placed too high on the ship’s decks, and not enough ballast water gave the placement of the cargo.
Seastreak newcomer pushing through dip in demand
Two years ago, Seastreak LLC took delivery of Seastreak Commodore, a 600-passenger fast ferry, from Gulf Craft of Franklin, La. Designed by Australia-based Incat Crowther, the vessel is the largest of its kind in the United States and was built to meet the burgeoning demand for service in the New York-New Jersey market.
New year in a new world: Navigating COVID's maritime realities
In a matter of days, the decorative time balls will drop, “Auld Lang Syne” will fill the air, and ships at anchor will sound their horns as the world welcomes in the new year.
Advanced props, rudders provide new efficiencies below the waterline
It took a decade or two from the invention of the marine propeller in the 19th century for the technology to become widely accepted. Thereafter, adoption has been nearly universal, but progress toward improved efficiencies has come in fits and starts.
