Maritime News
2014 Amendments to Maritime Labour Convention
The Commandant of the Coast Guard issued a bulletin on Jan. 6, 2017 regarding the 2014 Amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention which require shipowners to provide financial security for the repatriation of seafarers and for the shipowner’s liability for personal injury or death. The amendments go into force on January 18, 2017. A copy of the bulletin may be found following this link:https://www.uscg.mil/msib/docs/001_17_1-06-2017.pdf
EPA issues Document on Frequently Asked Questions about the North American/Caribbean Zone and MARPOL
The EPA issued a document on frequently asked questions about the requirements of Annex IX of MARPOL and compliance with the requirements for the North American/Caribbean Zone. The document address exhaust gas cleaning systems, low sulfur fuel requirements, NOx III – duel fuel engines and additional requirements for changing the flag of the vessel to US. The document may be found following this link:https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-01/documents/420f16055.pdf
Marine Safety Engineering Bulletin
At the end of December, 2016, the United States Coast Guard Commercial Regulations and Standards Directorate published a Marine Safety Engineering Bulletin relating to introduction of invasive species into the environment and the ballast water requirements and the new exhaust gas cleaning system requirements. The bulletin may be found at this link:https://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg52/docs/2016fall.pdf
Dept. of Homeland Security Issues Best Practices Guide for GPS Systems
On January 9, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security issued guidelines for "Improving the Operation and Development of Global Positioning System (GPS) Equipment Used by Critical Infrastructure.” The guide may be found following this link:http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/gps/Best%20Practices%20for%20Improving%20the%20Operation%20and%20Development%20of%20GPS%20Equipment.pdf
IMO Polar Code in effect on Jan. 1, 2017
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a notice to remind stakeholders that the MARPOL provisions of the IMO Polar Code went into effect on January 1, 2017. The notice may be found following this link:http://mariners.coastguard.dodlive.mil/2017/01/09/polar-code-marpol-applicability/
C.G. Issues Bulletin for Best Commercial Fishing Practices
The bulletin may be found following his link:http://mariners.coastguard.dodlive.mil/2017/01/09/completed-voluntary-safety-initiatives-good-marine-practices-commercial-fishing-vessels/
C.G. Reopens Comment Period on Alternative Planning Criteria (APC)
On January 10, 2017, the Coast Guard reopened until April 10, 2017 the period for comment on the draft Alternative Planning Criteria (APC) National Guidelines. The announcement in the federal register may be found by following this link:https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-01-10/pdf/2017-00319.pdf
