The dictionary defines “complacency” as tranquil pleasure or self-satisfaction, especially when uncritical or unwarranted. Groups are prone to complacency when events occur as expected over an extended period of time. They let their guard down…
Yesterday’s well-attended ballast water policy teleconference briefing by the Canadian Minister of Transport served notice that Canada has no intention of allowing the state of New York to dictate ballast water regulations, nor impede commerce on the St…
GIS Creates Integrated Data Workflow for More Efficient Chart Production. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has implemented a new nautical charting system based on Esri GIS technology to produce more navigational…
THE London P&I Club has warned that improvements in telecommunications technology on board ships can create unwelcome distractions, leading to casualties. In its StopLoss Bulletin, the club notes that an alleged causative factor in a recent…
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is seeking information from interested parties regarding proposed oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico Eastern Planning Areas. These sales are included in the Proposed Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2012-2017…
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) – which represents all sectors and trades of the global shipping industry and more than 80% of the world merchant fleet – has produced a briefing document for government climate change negotiators…
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today named Rear Admiral James A. Watson IV as the Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). BSEE was one of the two agencies to succeed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management…
Louisiana Manufacturer will Replace Coast Guard's Small Response Boat Fleet. Metal Shark Boats has been awarded a contract to replace the U.S. Coast Guard's fleet of Response Boat - Small (RB-S) vessels. Up to 470 boats will be delivered across the Coast Guard fleet…
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) – which represents all sectors and trades of the global shipping industry and more than 80% of the world merchant fleet – has produced a briefing document for government climate change negotiators…
Capital Development Plan Most Comprehensive Solution for Addressing Waterways’ Infrastructure Funding, Construction Reform Needs. In a letter sent yesterday to Representative Jeb Hensarling and Senator Patty Murray, Co-Chairs of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction…
The U.S. Maritime Administration issued a Report Comparing U.S. and Foreign-Flag Operating Costs. The U.S. maritime labor union(s) responded with pointed criticism. Marad issues its own statement in reponse. Text of Marad Chief Matsuda's Prepared Statement: “The U…
Protection of the Caribbean Sea and meeting the International Maritime Organization (IMO) International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) 1973 will take centre stage in Jamaica this week when the Maritime Authority…
Simplifying the bridge environment must be one of the greatest challenges faced by the shipping industry. Thomas Gunn is delighted to announce that it has teamed up with Regs4ships, to provide a complete bridge solution for the navigator…
The first International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention) was adopted in 1978. It proved to be largely toothless and vague to the point that it actually established no meaningful standards…
Mitsui OSK Line has made a firm commitment to install Bridge Navigational Watch and Alarm Systems (BNWAS) on board its ships ahead of regulatory requirements. The company has taken the opportunity of the drydocking of 17 of its vessels so far this year to install the Martek Marine Navgard BNWAS…