Weekly News Summary for July 23-29, 2007:
Virtually all crewmembers of towboats will be required to obtain Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC) by September 25, 2008, or their licenses, merchant mariner documents and STCW papers will become invalid, according to newly released Coast Guard directions.
A 63-page guide to the TWIC is available online as a Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular “NVIC 03-07” entitled “Guidance for the Implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Program in the Maritime Sector.”
The NVIC was prepared “to provide guidance to transportation workers, owners and operators, and merchant mariners on implementation of the new requirements,” the Coast Guard said in the notice published in the Federal Register on July 10 (Volume 72, Number 131, page 37537, under Notices).
The information provided in the NVIC “details enrollment and issuance process, provides guidance for successful execution and compliance requirements, provides clarification of regulations and includes a more detailed discussion of the actions required by those regulations, with examples to increase understanding and promote nationwide consistency.”
It is intended to help industry comply with the new regulations and the Coast Guard Captains of the Port (COTP) implement the TWIC Program.
The NVIC is available online at www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/nvic/index00.htm….
The Corps of Engineers has released its Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet (MR-GO) Deep-Draft Deauthorization Draft Final report and Legislative Environmental Impact Statement.
Its “tentatively selected” plan calls for immediate construction of a total closure structure across the MR-GO at Bayou La Loutre and deauthorizes navigation from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) to the Gulf of Mexico.
The 45-day public comment period is now running, with the final report to be completed for presentation to Congress in December.
To review the 120-page document, go to http://mrgo.usace.army.mil/default.aspx?p=mrgo. The public is encouraged to comment.
These documents will provide key pieces of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration (LaCPR) Plan, which is also available on line at www.lacpr.usace.army.mil.
The Corps chose the first of three alternatives it had under review, that being a total-closure structure of rock at the Bayou La Loutre ridge. In its report, the Corps said that location was chosen because the natural ridge provides the most stable foundation.
Total closure would prevent navigation and produce the greatest environmental benefits, the report said.
“The plan calls for deauthorization of navigation on the MR-GO from Mile 60 at the southern bank of the GIWW to the Gulf of Mexico,” it said….
Ingram Barge Company has completed its purchase of eight towboats from Delaware Marine Services, Port Allen, La. The acquisition was finalized July 17.
Craig Philip, president and chief executive officer of the Nashville-based barge line, said buying these boats gives Ingram a larger presence on the Gulf Coast and will improve barge velocity. The eight vessels range from 800 to 1,800 hp. and have been operated by Delaware Marine primarily on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.
They are the mvs. Elissa, Zeland M. Deloach Jr., Miss Mollye D., City of Port Allen, Vanport, Trey Deloach, Gene Huffy and Rowena.
“Ingram currently serves a number of contracts with towboats owned by others, and the acquisition means a more reliable fleet to provide the high level of service our customers expect,” Philip explained.
Ingram will charter the newly acquired boats back to a venture formed by Delaware Marine owner Z. David Deloach, named Deloach Marine Services LLC. It will operate them under a fully-found charter with a third party for the immediate future. Ultimately, the boats will be operated under a fully found charter with Ingram….
Vessel Traffic Service New Orleans is requesting that mariners use the secondary checkpoints within the 81-Mile Point Operations Area, in anticipation of the proposed Regulated Navigation Area.
The Coast Guard has developed an informational flier to assist all mariners who transit the area to better understand the rule, said Capt. L.D. Stroh, commander of Sector New Orleans.
The flier is available on the website of the Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Baton Rouge at www.uscg.mil/d8/msu/batonrouge/PortOps.html.
The final rule is expected to become effective in late August or early September, Capt. Stroh said. Until that time, he requests all vessels to check in voluntarily on marine VHF Channel 63A at the following points:
- Upbound vessels check in at the Sunshine Bridge (Mile 167) and provide tow configuration and destination. The second checkpoint is Bringier Point Light (Mile 173.1);
- Downbound vessels check in at Cosmar Lights (Mile 187.9) and provide tow configuration and destination. The second checkpoint is Wyandotte Chemical Dock Lights (Mile 183.9).
MSU Baton Rouge can answer any questions at 225, 298-5400.
VTS New Orleans will begin passing traffic advisories to vessels at the appropriate checkpoints, he said. Until the rulemaking is effective, these advisories will be based on available AIS information and voluntary check ins only….
The Waterways Journal encourages letters to the editor.
Have something on your mind?
Send letters to: jshoulberg@waterwaysjournal.net.
(Please indicate whether or not your letter is intended for publication.)
