Overview of week of 22-28 December 2011. During the reporting period of 22-28 December 2011 pirate activity against vessels was low. One vessel was hijacked on 27 December approximately 50NM off the coast of Oman in the vicinity of 1818N 05736E…
After taking office on 1 January 2012, the IMO Secretary-General Mr. Koji Sekimizu today announced a number of changes in the structure of the IMO Secretariat. Mr. Sekimizu said: “The biggest challenge I see in the coming years, in terms of management of the Organization…
From the Navy News Service: 1904 - The cruiser USS Detroit (C 10) lands a Marine detachment at Puerto Plata, Dominican Replublic, to protect American interests during an insurrection. 1944 - Top Marine ace Maj. Gregory Boyington captured after shooting down 28 aircraft…
In recent years there have been a number of accidents caused by the failure of on-load release hooks during lifeboat drills, which have resulted in seafarers being seriously injured and even killed. IMO has therefore been developing measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats…
December marked the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard’s formal entry into the national intelligence community, although many had long perceived the Coast Guard as a de facto member.The Coast Guard began its long involvement with the work of intelligence in 1790…
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has issued guidance to oil and gas companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) extending existing guidance…
Over the past year a number of Asian companies and government agencies have acquired underwater search equipment to aid in the location of lost objects and assist in performing survey operations. In China, Guangzhou Advanced Maritime Academy…
Virtually everyone is, by now, familiar with the concept of electronic navigation, also called eNavigation or eNav. The problem is that the term means different things to different people. Historically, it started with radio beacons. Radar…
Somalis Sentenced to Life in Prison on Charges Relating to Piracy of the S/V Quest. Mohamud Hirs Issa Ali, a/k/a Sanadaaq, 32, and Jilani Abdiali, a/k/a Ilkasse, 20, both of Somalia, were sentenced today in Norfolk federal court to life in prison for their acts of piracy against the S/V Quest…
With a sweeping reach and wide ranging application the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006) will have a significant impact on shipowners, managers, crewing agencies and most importantly the seafarers on-board. At its entry into force…
U.S.-Canada Arctic Ocean survey partnership saved costs, increased data; 2011 mission concludes joint seafloor survey operations. A recent mission marked the completion of a five-year collaboration between the United States and Canada to survey the Arctic Ocean…
Port Projects Awarded $62 Million in TIGER III Infrastructure Grants; Critical importance of connective infrastructure to America’s seaports recognized.U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that 46 transportation projects…
U.S. Army Takes Delivery of New Fire/Rescue boat from Gladding-Hearn.Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation has delivered a new high-speed fire/rescue boat to the U.S. Army. The all-aluminum vessel, designed jointly by the Somerset…
This winter, NOAA will begin a year-long survey of the sea floor in the Port of Houston and Galveston Bay navigational areas, to aid efforts to bring more trade, more cargo, more jobs, and more economic benefits to the Houston area. The navigation survey team arrived in Galveston this week…
The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced that its Western Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Lease Sale 218, held today in New Orleans, attracted $337,688,341 in high bids and included 20 companies submitting 241…