Oil & Gas U.K. said it is pleased that a plenary vote in the European Parliament may see the introduction of a directive on offshore safety and environment.Robert Paterson, Oil & Gas U.K.’s health, safety and employment director, said: “Oil & Gas U…
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has approved 'Cruise Industry Passenger Bill of Rights' detailing members' commitment to the safety, comfort & care of guests in a number of important areas.The CEOs of CLIA North American member…
To protect the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia’s north-west region, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) to establish an area ships should avoid.A new AMSA Marine Notice will recommend ships keep at least…
Crewmembers aboard the 314-ft fishing vessel 'Arctic Storm' extinguised an engine-room fire using the ship's Halon chemical firefighting system. The Coast Guard continues to respond to the vessel approximately 30 miles west of Grays Harbor…
Wildlife conservation charities are calling for an urgent review of the marine hazard classification of the chemical (Polyisobutene) PIB.Timed to coincide with the recent IMO MEPC meeting, leading wildlife conservation charities, animal welfare charities and the UK Chamber of Shipping…
The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) authorizes the passage of vessels up to 44 metres wide in the Quebec-Montreal section of the St. Lawrence navigation channel. The previous authorized width was 32.1 metres without restrictions. The CCG has…
Uncharted Ice: The U.S. Coast Guard's New Arctic Strategy. U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Bob Papp today revealed the nation's and the Coast Guard's blueprint for Arctic strategy. Long awaited, today's speech at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington…
Five board members of owners, Costa Crociere, have been placed under investigation in connection with the January 2012 cruise ship accident.The executives are reportedly being probed for possible collusion in the crimes of dereliction of duty and manslaughter that the ship's Captain…
At their recent meeting the circumpolar states of the Arctic Council have agreed to tackle oil spill disasters as a team.The Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic—the Council’s second ever…
The passenger ship 'Serenissima' grounded Monday night in Oban Bay, was refloated the next day & awaits underwater inspection.The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency reported that the Stornoway Coastguard was alerted and was told that the ship had ran aground on sand and gravel…
At the recent 8th Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council, China and another 5 states were granted observer status in the organization.Founded in 1996, the group now has eight member states in the Arctic region, including Russia, the United States…
New NOAA report presented to the US Coast Guard examines national oil pollution threat from shipwrecks in US waters.The report finds that 36 sunken vessels scattered across the U.S. seafloor could pose an oil pollution threat to the nation's coastal marine resources…
Guidance circular to be issued for ships calling at ports without reception facilities for Harmful to the Marine Environment (HME) waste, including Hold Washing Water (HWW).Shipowners pleas for greater clarity on what to do when there are…
It’s more of a Downward Slope for Maritime, Transportation, and Energy ProgramsYou are not alone if you are bewildered by the talk in Washington about “sequester,” “continuing resolution”, “fiscal cliff,” “budget resolutions,” and “debt ceilings…
The full text of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's message on May 14, 2013 to all Department of Defense personnel follows:As you are fully aware, the Department of Defense is facing a historic shortfall in our budget for the current fiscal year…
