State Seeks Intervention in Drilling Case

Governor Sean Parnell has directed the Department of Law to ask the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for permission to intervene in the lawsuit by environmental groups challenging the U.S. Interior Department’s decision to approve an oil exploration plan for the Chukchi Sea. “OCS

This Day in Coast Guard History – Feb. 4

1859- U.S. signs "Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation" with Paraguay at Asuncion after the revenue cutter Harriet Lane, as part of a US Navy expedition, forced the opening of the Paraguay and Parana Rivers.1863-  Commissioned officers of the Revenue Cutter Service

President Requests $364.8M for MMS

With a budget designed to increase America’s energy security by expanding the nation’s energy portfolio and ensuring a fair return for these public resources, the President has proposed $364.8m in funding for the Minerals Management Service (MMS) in fiscal year 2011. While this represents an increase of $16.

Seafarers & Int'l House Awards Banquet

On Thursday evening, April 22, 2010, Seafarers & International House will hold its annual awards banquet, “Setting the Course,” at the New York Athletic Club for the purpose of honoring Donald Keefe, President of Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association, Philip J. Schapiro, President

This Day in Coast Guard History – Jan. 28

1885-Keeper Marcus Hanna of the Cape Elizabeth Light Station saved two men from the wrecked schooner Australia. For this rescue Hanna was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal. He was also awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Port Hudson in 1863. He is the only person to have ever received both awards.

Castle Shipboard Security Program at University

The Castle Shipboard Security Program is now affiliated with Nova Southeastern University providing university certificates and continuing education units in Vessel Defense and Shipboard Security.  The program is consistent with current national and international conventions including SOLAS and the ISPS Code.

This Day in Coast Guard History – Jan. 27

1909-The schooner Nelson Y. McFarland issued a distress call after dropping anchor near the White Head, Maine, Life-Saving Service station.  Although anchored against the tide, she was becalmed, yet her stern swung so close to the ledge that "a change of wind or tide would have thrown the vessel upon the rocks.

Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet subject to FWPCA

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California ruled that the non-retention vessels in the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet, operated by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), are point sources subject to the permitting requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) [also referred to as the Clean Water Act (CWA)].

Maritime Environmental Mgmt, Distance Learning

A new training course has been announced by Lloyd’s Maritime Academy. The Certificate in Maritime Environmental Management is a 12-week course offering a thorough introduction to the management of the maritime environment – totally delivered by distance learning. This unique programme starts

Crowley's Puerto Rico Liner Settlement

Crowley Liner Services, Inc. (Crowley) has entered into a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs in the Puerto Rican Cabotage Antitrust Litigation.  Although the company specifically denied violating the antitrust laws, it agreed to the settlement given the high cost and burden of litigation,

CMK’S Furman Authors Security Pamphlet

Richard L. Furman, Esq., member of Carroll McNulty & Kull LLC (CMK) of New York, has authored “Cargo Transportation Security: Legislation and Regulation Through 2009,” a pamphlet published by Matthew Bender. The terror attacks on September 11, 2001, made clear the need

This Day in Coast Guard History – Jan. 13

1853- The ship Cornelius Grinnell grounded in a heavy surf off Squan Beach New Jersey. A surf car was used to rescue all 234 persons on board.1925- Alaskan Game Law enforced by Coast Guard.1918-Surfmen from the Humboldt Bay Lifesaving Station rescued the 430-man crew of the Navy

WQIS Holds Covered, No Premium Increase

The United States Coast Guard announced that effective January 23, 2010, they will be increasing fines and other civil monetary penalties to account for inflation in accordance with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996.

Commissioner Khouri Joins the FMC

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) announced that Michael A. Khouri of Louisville, Ky., has been sworn in as a Commissioner for a term to expire on June 30, 2011. Commissioner Khouri was nominated by President Barack Obama on December 3, 2009, and confirmed by the Senate on December 24, 2009.<br

Ferry Co. Charged with Dumping Sewage

A company based in Marblehead was charged on Jan. 7 in federal court with dumping sewage into North Shore waters from a popular ferry it operates out of Salem. United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, Rear Admiral J. L. Nimmich, United States Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District and William Schenkelberg,

gTrax: AIS Vessel Tracking for the iPhone

gCaptain.com has teamed up with Maritime Information Systems (MIS), U.S. provider of vessel tracking solutions to the maritime industry, to offer gTrax, Vessel Tracking For The iPhone.gTrax harnesses MIS's network of redundant secure, Automatic Identification System (AIS), antennas to gather

Cardone Named C-PORT Executive Director

C-PORT, Conference of Professional Operators for Response Towing, the national association for the Marine Assistance Industry, announced the hiring of Tina Cardone as Executive Director.&nbsp; Formerly the Director of Government Affairs at C-PORT, Cardone will consolidate that position into her newly assigned role.

Eleventh Asia Pacific Maritime

As the region gears up for stronger business recovery in 2010, Asia Pacific Maritime 2010 (APM) is poised to offer an even greater variety of solutions to meet the needs of the shipping and shipbuilding industries as they ride on the crest of a new demand curve.Scheduled to be held from 24th to 26th March 2010 at the Singapore Expo,

2009 Louisiana Super Lawyers

Fowler Rodriguez Valdes-Fauli Law Firm, with a specialty in admiralty and maritime law, announced that George J. Fowler, III, Antonio J. Rodriguez, Edward F. LeBreton, III and Mat M. Gray, III have been named 2009 Louisiana Super Lawyers. This award identifies the top five percent of attorneys in each state,

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Tug Operator, Navy

After a four-day trial, a federal judge ruled on Dec. 18 in favor of the family of Freddie Porter, Jr., a 19-year-old U.S. Navy enlisted seaman from New Jersey who in 2007 was killed when the small craft carrying him was overrun by a tugboat pushing a large flotilla on Virginia's James River. The tug,

This Day in Coast Guard History – Dec. 22

1819-The Revenue cutter Dallas seized a vessel laden with lumber that had been unlawfully cut from public land in one of the first recorded instances of a revenue cutter enforcing an environmental law.1837-Congress authorized President &quot;to cause any suitable number of public vessels,

Coast Guard Releases Top Videos of 2009

The U.S. Coast Guard released its top 11 video compilation for 2009. The top 11 video compilation (presented in no particular order) is available for viewing and downloading from the Coast Guard Visual Information site at: http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=731355The public is

Payne Named to AAPA Board

J. Stanley Payne, Chief Executive Officer of the Canaveral Port Authority, will serve on the 2009-10 Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). He was named to the 10-member board during the annual AAPA meeting held this year in Galveston, Texas.

Polembros Barred from U.S. Waters for 3 Years

Polembros Shipping LTD., a ship management company headquartered in Greece, was sentenced on Dec. 9 in federal court in New Orleans to pay a $2.7m criminal fine for violating anti-pollution laws, ship safety laws, and making false statements during a U.S. Coast Guard investigation of the M/V Theotokos, the Justice Department announced.

USS Wisconsin Transferred to City of Norfolk

Vice Adm. David Architzel, Principal Military Deputy Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, signed the donation contract officially transferring title and ownership of the historic battleship ex-USS Wisconsin (BB 64) to the city of Norfolk, Va. Wisconsin saw extensive

DOJ Bans Shipping Company for Three Years

The U.S. Department of Justice issued a news release stating that, after pleading guilty, a shipping company has been sentenced to pay a criminal fine of $2.7m for violation of pollution and safety laws and for making false statements. In addition, ships owned or managed by the company will be prohibited from entering U.

Judicial Decision on M/V Mokihana Rebuild

On December 4, 2009, a federal district court in Va. entered judgment in favor of the U.S. Coast Guard and Matson Navigation Company, Inc. in a long-running vessel foreign rebuild case.&nbsp; Winston &amp; Strawn LLP represented Matson. The Shipbuilders Council of America, Inc. and Pasha

CG Revokes Palm Beach Princess' Certificate

The Acting Coast Guard Captain of the Port for Palm Beach, Fla., Capt. Cynthia Stowe, revoked the Palm Beach Princess&rsquo; Coast Guard-issued Certificate of Compliance Dec. 8 after the vessel failed to make required repairs to one of its main propulsion engines.The vessel is now prohibited from carrying passengers in any U.

Grant Guidance for $2.7B in FY 2010

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the release of fiscal year 2010 grant application guidance kits for 13 DHS grant programs totaling more than $2.7b&mdash;funds for state, local, tribal and territorial governments and private sector entities to strengthen our nation&rsquo;s ability to prevent,

Matsuda Nominated MARAD Administrator

President Barack Obama has announced his intent to nominate David T. Matsuda, Administrator, Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation. David T. Matsuda has been serving as Deputy Administrator and Acting Administrator of the United States Maritime Administration since July 2009.&nbsp; He

This Day in Coast Guard History – Dec. 9

1899-A Treasury Order entrusted the Bureau of Navigation &quot;with the duty of examining and disposing of petitions for the remission of fines, penalties, and forfeitures under the laws relating to navigation, vessels, steamboat-inspection, and passengers.&quot;1959- At the request of the Russian Embassy,

Anti-Piracy Efforts Must Address Root Causes

Piracy off Somalia&rsquo;s coast is a symptom of wider problems ashore, and any strategy to tackle it must also deal with its root causes and strengthen regional capacity, the United Nations envoy to the country warned on Nov. 18.Briefing the Security Council, Special Representative Ahmedou

Statoil: Horton Case Closed

Statoil (OSE: STL, NYSE: STO) announced that the Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) the company entered into as a part of the settlement of&nbsp; the Horton case, has expired as scheduled.&nbsp;On 13 October 2006 the company reached agreements with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),

Mansuy, 2010’s Best Lawyers in America

Christopher H. Mansuy, Esq., member of Carroll McNulty &amp; Kull LLC (CMK) has been named one of 2010&rsquo;s The Best Lawyers in America in the specialty of maritime law by his peers. Best Lawyers a 25-year-old, highly respected peer-review publication, compiles lists of top attorneys by completing extensive surveys with other leading attorneys.

Guilty Plea, Bribing Officials for Contract

Charles Paul Edward Jumet of Fluvanna County, Va., pleaded guilty on Nov. 13 in connection with his role in a conspiracy to pay bribes to Panamanian government officials to secure a maritime contract, announced Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division Lanny A. Breuer, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Neil H.

Hornbeck Offshore Q3 2009 Results

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. (NYSE: HOS) announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009. Third quarter 2009 revenues decreased 17.4% to $90.1 million compared to $109.1 million for the third quarter of 2008. Operating income was $27.1 million, or 30.1% of revenues, for the third quarter of 2009 compared to $52.

Safe Bulkers Q3 Results

Safe Bulkers, Inc. (NYSE: SB), an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, announced its unaudited financial results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009. Summary of Third Quarter 2009 Results Net revenue for the third quarter of 2009 decreased by 31% to $36.

Emery W. Harper, 1936-2009

On Monday, October 26th, Emery W. Harper passed away following complications from surgery, leaving his spouse/partner Louis (Luigi) Terruso and his daughter Caroline (Carrie).Harper practiced law for 45 years, representing the full spectrum of clients with major interests in the shipping industry.

Hodge Chair for IMarEST Board of Trustees

Professor Chris Hodge FREng CEng CMarEng FIMarEST, Chief Electrical Engineer of BMT Defence Services and Honorary Professor of Engineering at the University of Warwick, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), taking

IRS Focuses on Foreign Vessels Evaiding Taxes

The Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) applauded the Internal Revenue Service&rsquo;s (IRS) recently posted directive to field officers establishing an issue management team in the wake of an IRS analysis indicating that a significant number of foreign vessels permitted to work in the U.S. offshore