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JUNE 2017 NEWSLETTER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Governor Signs HB 425 OMSA-Supported Legislation by Rep. Tanner Magee (R-Houma) 2
Second Call, Please Join the OMSA PAC Advisory Council 2
Regulatory Deadlines 3
OMSA 2016 Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) Statistics 4
US Coast Guard (USCG) News 5
National Maritime Center News 7
Federal Advisory Committee News 8
Cybersecurity News 9
Dynamic Positioning News 10
Other News 10 International News 13
Follow OMSA on Social Media 14
OMSA Member Support Needed for CCA Legislators’ Fishing Rodeo in Grand Isle 14
OMSA Louisiana Tax Conference, Tuesday, May 18 15
Save the Date: 3rd Quarter OMSA Member Call-In, Thursday, July 20 15
Save the Date: OMSA Clay Shoot, Friday, October 20 16
OSVDPA Accredits Houston-area Training Provider 16
OSVDPA TAC Approves Three New Assessment Scenarios 17
2017 OMSA Meetings & Events Calendar 18
Newsletter Sponsor: Advanced Logistics, LLC 19
Newsletter Sponsor: Kongsberg Maritime 20
Newsletter Sponsor: The Marine Training Institute 21
OMSA Newsletter Sponsorship Opportunities 22
Governor Signs HB 425 OMSA-Supported Legislation by Rep. Tanner Magee (R-Houma)
By: Aaron Smith
On June 26, Governor John Bel Edwards (D-Amite) signed into law HB 425, making the legislation Act No. 418.
The legislation, authored by Representative Tanner Magee (R-Houma) was heavily supported by OMSA. When
considered earlier this year, HB 425 passed the Louisiana State Legislature without a single vote in opposition. This
vote total makes passage of the bill much more certain than actually
As OMSA members will remember, HB 425 changes current law to allow vessel owners to challenge the
correctness or legality of the offshore vessel ad valorem tax, while still claiming the state Offshore Vessel Credit.
This important change is needed to ensure vessel owners do not face a stiff financial disincentive when attempting
to challenge unfair or incorrect tax bills.
Considering the increased options provided by the legislation, OMSA is hosting the OMSA Louisiana Tax
Conference next month. Please see the below notice for more information about this important event.
Second Call, Please Join the OMSA PAC Advisory Council By: Aaron Smith
As OMSA members know, your association is engaged in numerous different legislative and regulatory challenges.
To ensure our Political Action Committee (PAC) is an effective resource in these efforts, the OMSA Board of
Directors has initiated an OMSA PAC Advisory Council. This council will be charged with making and updating
recommendations on the strategic direction and tactical activities of the PAC.
Per the resolution approved by the Board of Directors, the Advisory Council shall be composed by five to 15
representatives of OMSA members. These members will be appointed by the Board from a pool of OMSA members
that have donated $2,000 or more to the OMSA PAC or to candidates at OMSA PAC events in the last two years.
Once empaneled, the advisory council will meet once a quarter for the purposed of creating these recommendations.
If you are interested in applying to be part of the advisory council, please contact Aaron Smith at
[email protected] or Ashley Smith at [email protected].
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Regulatory Deadlines
By: Richard Wells
07/01/17: IMO and USCG delayed STCW 2010 enforcement ends.
09/01/17: USCG extension of expired national mariner credentials ends.
09/08/17: IMO Ballast Water Management Convention in effect.
12/18/17: EPA sVGP effective (commercial vessel less than 79 feet).
01/01/18: IMO Polar Code effective date for Existing Ships (at next renewal or intermediate SOLAS
Certificate survey).
07/01/18: IMO Polar Code STCW training effective date (Delayed from January 1 by MSC).
07/22/19: USCG Towing Vessel first 25% of existing tugs require Certificate of Inspection.
Reducing Regulations: President Trump issued an executive order on Reducing Regulation and Controlling
Regulatory Costs. Among other things, it calls for the repeal of two regulations for each new one published and
directs that the total incremental cost of new regulations shall be no greater than zero, unless otherwise required by
law. Each agency is rolling out their process for suggesting regulations to be modified or repealed separately and
the OMSA staff will advise the OMSA membership when relevant agency requests are available, and when
appropriate ask you to submit comments to the regulators. Reviews currently in progress are:
USCG Process: The USCG has published a formal request in the Federal Register, with a very short deadline. If
you have items for inclusion in OMSA's submission, please submit your requests no later than Wednesday, July
5, 2017 so that OMSA may submit its comments to the USCG prior to the July 10, 2017 deadline.
What are the USCG rules that eliminate jobs, or inhibit job creation; are outdated, unnecessary, or ineffective; or
impose costs that exceed benefits that we should ask the USCG to repeal, replace, or modify? As only you can
know what USCG regulations or policy documents cause you the most pain, the OMSA staff needs your input.
When submitting concerns to OMSA, please include the citation in the Code of Federal Regulations (such as 46
C.F.R. 15.1101(a)) for any rule suggested for modification. Here is your chance to tell the USCG about your pain
points! Please advise the OMSA staff of the USCG regulations that the OMSA staff should comment upon by
emailing your comments to [email protected].
DOT Process: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is reviewing its existing policy statements, guidance
documents, and regulations to identify unnecessary obstacles to transportation infrastructure projects. As part of
this review, the Department invites affected stakeholders and the public to identify non-statutory requirements that
the Department imposes that should be removed or revised. Comments should be received by July 24, 2017. Full
details are located here.
FMC Process: The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a notice stating that it seeks information and
comments to identify existing FMC regulations that are outdated, unnecessary, ineffective, eliminate jobs or inhibit
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job creation, impose costs that exceed benefits, or otherwise interfere with regulatory reform initiatives and policies.
Comments should be submitted by July 5, 2017. Full details are available here.
NOAA Process: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced it is conducting a
review of all designations and expansions of National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine National Monuments since
April 28, 2007. Comments must be submitted by July 26, 2017. Details are here.
OMSA 2016 Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) Statistics
By: Richard Wells
Here is the result of the annual OMSA collection of offshore vessel crewmember “lost time” and “other recordable”
incident data. For 2016 we had 24 total OMSA members report five lost time and nine other incidents in over 26
million mariner exposure hours for an OMSA LTR (Lost Time Rate) of 0.038 and a TRIR (Total Recordable
Incident Rate)--the primary OSHA benchmark–of 0.107.
Although vessels don’t report their lost time or other recordable injuries to OSHA, we ask OMSA offshore vessel
operators to report to OMSA using the OSHA definitions and data collection format to allow OMSA members to
benchmark your safety record against the OMSA average and against other industries that do report to OSHA. It is
very gratifying to be able to announce four OMSA members had one million mariner exposure hours or more, yet
had a zero TRIR. Congratulations to all 20 of the OMSA members that achieved “Goal Zero” in 2016.
You can benchmark your specific company performance against other industry segments here. The OMSA staff
also uses this data to show the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) that OMSA members are very safe and we don’t need
additional safety regulations applied to your vessels.
Our thanks to these vessel operators that shared their data:
Adriatic Marine LLC
Aries Marine Corporation
Barry Graham Oil Service LLC
C & G Boats Inc
Edison Chouest Offshore LLC
Guice Offshore LLC
Harvey Gulf International Marine LLC
Hornbeck Offshore Services Inc
Hot Energy Services Inc
Jackson Offshore Operators LLC
Marine Transportation Services Inc
McDonough Marine Service
Montco Offshore Inc
Odyssea Marine Inc
Offshore Liftboats LLC
Offshore Oil Services Inc
Offshore Towing Inc
Sea Horse Marine Inc
Sea Support Ventures LLC
SEACOR Marine LLC
SEAMAR LLC
Tidewater Inc
Versamarine LLC
Y&S Marine Inc
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U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) News
By: Richard Wells
STCW Relaxed Enforcement Ends: A reminder that the relaxed enforcement of the STCW changes that went
into effect on January 1, 2017 will end on July 1, 2017. Please ensure all mariners holding an STCW officer
endorsement have completed the required gap-closing courses and submitted their training certificates to the USCG
National Maritime Center (NMC) for issuance of an updated STCW page to be added to their Merchant Mariner
Credential. Your mariners holding an STCW rating (AB or QMED) should have applied for and received updated
STCW endorsements for Able Seafarer Deck or Able Seafarer Engine. Please see the OMSA STCW Deadline web
page for full details.
Also, the additional time the USCG gave our industry to receive STCW endorsements limited to service on OSVs
as Master, Mate, Chief Engineer, or Assistant Engineer ends on December 31, 2017. A 100 percent complete
application must be submitted to the NMC via one of the Regional Examination Centers (REC) before that deadline
to be able to use this alternative route. As this date is a Sunday the realistic deadline for hand-delivered applications
to a local REC is Thursday December 28, 2017. This process allows issuance of an OSV STCW endorsement with
much lower formal training time and tuition than will be needed beginning in 2018. The full details and links to the
USCG policy documents are on the OMSA STCW Deadline web page by clicking on the relevant STCW credential
Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) link near the top of the web page.
Another Fuel Spray Vessel Fire: In USCG Safety Alert 06-17, the details of an OSV engineroom fire are detailed.
The crew member on watch entered the engine room and identified a high pressure fuel leak spraying over and on
the port engine’s turbocharger. The master then went down into the engine room and saw the ignition of the fire.
The master activated the general alarm, secured the hatches, had crew members secure the ventilation dampers and
closed the remote fuel shut-off valves to the engine room. The fire then quickly self-extinguished.
Lessons learned include:
Unmanned machinery spaces should be inspected at least daily, preferably several times per day,
Inspect fuel and lubricating systems closely from source tanks to system end points,
Ensure all insulation, blankets, and lagging are maintained and tightly fastened,
Minimize the use of nonmetallic flexible hoses carrying flammable liquids particularly around hot
engine areas, and
Determine if a fuel hose replacement schedule is beneficial considering exposure to heat.
USCG Key Personnel Changes: The following USCG personnel changes have or will soon happen. Have you
introduced yourself to the new USCG unit leadership for ports where your vessels operate? Now is the time to meet
them, rather than at 3 AM after a vessel incident.
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Eighth CG District Commander: Rear Admiral Paul Thomas (in August)
He is coming from USCG HQ where he sponsored the OMSA/USCG partnership meetings while serving as
Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy. He was also OCMI at MSU Galveston.
Eighth CG District Prevention Division: Captain Thomas Kaminski (in late summer)
He is coming from serving as OCMI at Activities Europe. He previously served as Chief of the Vessel and
Facility Operating Standards Division at USCG HQ where he developed regulations for vessels, facilities and
offshore platforms. He also served as the Designated Federal Officer for the National Offshore Safety Advisory
Committee and as USCG liaison to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
MSU Port Arthur: Captain Jackie Twomey
She came from the Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise. Her local assignments include MSU Port Arthur
Executive Officer and Sector New Orleans Prevention Department Head.
Sector Houston-Galveston: Captain Kevin Oditt
He came from serving as Chief of the Eighth District Prevention Division and is familiar with OMSA members and
our issues.
Sector Mobile: Captain Malcolm McLellan
He reported from USCG Sector Houston-Galveston where he was deputy sector commander.
MSU Houma: Captain Blake Welborn
He was at MSU Morgan City and is moving his desk and some staff closer to Port Fourchon
MSU Morgan City: Commander Heather Mattern
Previous assignments included working on hazardous material issues for OSVs at USCG HQ.
Marine Safety Advisory on Vessel Documentation: The USCG National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC),
located in Falling Waters, West Virginia, is the only entity authorized to issue Form CG-1270, Certificates of
Documentation (CODs). This document is required for vessels engaged in commercial trade and is optional for
vessels engaged in recreational use. The NVDC is aware that there are commercial entities that offer to manage the
certification/renewal process on behalf of vessel owners for a fee. The USCG does not endorse any of these
companies, and the companies do not operate on behalf of the Coast Guard in any way. Full alert is located here.
Changes to NVDC Website: The USCG National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) website is scheduled to
move to a new platform on June 29, 2017. Users visiting www.uscg.mil/nvdc will be redirected to the slightly
different looking NVDC homepage, which will be hosted on the U.S. Department of Defense’s American Forces
Public Information Management System. The website address will change, but the new address is not yet available.
The old address will continue to work during the transition period.
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Proceedings Published: The USCG released the spring 2017 edition of the Proceedings of the Marine Safety &
Security Council. The theme of this edition is the “21st Century Maritime Workforce.” OMSA member HR and
training staff personnel can get the views of peers and leaders from other maritime industry segments to help plan
for the replacement of the large number of current mariners that are retire eligible in this current decade.
CGSIC Meeting: The USCG Navigation Center (NAVCEN) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
will host a meeting of the Civil Global Positioning System Service Interface Committee (CGSIC) on September
25, 2017, in Portland, Oregon. Please click here for details on this SatNav/GPS forum.
Towing Vessel Inspection Policy Update: The USCG released Policy Letter 17-03 to provide guidance to the
USCG and the towing industry on how to obtain initial COIs for greater than the percentage of the towing vessels
required by 46 C.F.R. 136.2.
Existing SMS for Towing COI: The USCG issued a policy to clarify the process for all stakeholders using an
existing Safety Management System (SMS) to get issuance of a Certificate of Inspection (COI) for a towing vessel
rather than a Towing Safety Management System (TSMS). The process is slightly different between a vessel with
the Responsible Carrier Program (RCP) and a SOLAS compliant SMS. Full details are here.
National Maritime Center News
By: Richard Wells
NMC Performance Report: The USCG National Maritime Center (NMC) released their Merchant Mariner
Credential (MMC) Performance Report for April. The number of applications in processing decreased to 5,799.
The number of new applications submitted was lower than the number of credentials issued. Average total gross
processing time decreased to 50 days. Click here for full details.
NMC Med Cert Performance Report: The NMC is also reporting their performance issuing mariner medical
certificates. Currently, they report 15 days gross and 9 days net processing time, on average. Full details are here.
Changes to NMC Website: The National Maritime Center’s (NMC) website is scheduled to move to a new
platform on June 29, 2017. Users visiting www.uscg.mil/nmc will be redirected to the new, slightly differently
formatted NMC homepage, which will be hosted on the U.S. Department of Defense American Forces Public
Information Management System. The website address will change, but is not yet available. The old address will
work during the transition, but expect to see slight changes in the format of the web pages.
The NMC will make every effort to ensure this is a successful transition, and users are encouraged to provide
detailed feedback when using the new website. User feedback on the features and function of this new website
can be made by using the website feedback form. A link to the feedback form will be posted on the left side of
each website page and can be submitted by email to [email protected].
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For other questions or comments, continue to contact the NMC via the Online Chat or Ticketing System, via
email at [email protected], or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
OMSA OSV Course Extended: The NMC has extended the expiration date of the OMSA OSV assessment
programs that were scheduled to expire last year. This extension allows mariners at OMSA member company’s
one last opportunity to qualify for an STCW endorsement limited to service on an OSV under the “old” rules. If a
mariner has any sea service before March 24, 2014 they can use the extension to reduce the cost of required
formal training. The time extension and qualification requirements are in the “Grandfather” section of the OSV
STCW policy documents on the OMSA STCW web page located here.
The extension ends on December 31, 2017, so this window is closing rapidly. OMSA member companies that
hold approved courses under your company name for OSV or Large OSV endorsements should also have been
extended to the end of 2017 if they normally expired in late 2016 or early 2017. If an extension letter is needed
but was not been received, please email the NMC course approval staff asking for an extension letter by clicking
here.
Federal Advisory Committee News By: Richard Wells
CBP User Fee Advisory Committee members sought: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is asking
individuals who are interested in serving on the CBP User Fee Advisory Committee to apply for appointment.
The CBP User Fee Advisory Committee is tasked with providing advice to CBP on matters related to the
performance of inspections coinciding with the assessment of an agriculture, customs, or immigration user fees.
Application deadline is July 14, 2017. Full details on application process are here.
MERPAC Training Teleconference: The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) will
meet via teleconference on July 25-26, 2017 to work on guidelines for approval of training courses and programs.
Training providers with USCG-approved courses are urged to participate. To receive the teleconference phone
number, contact LTJG James Fortin at 202-372-1128 or [email protected]. Additional details are located
here.
MERPAC Military Service Teleconference: The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC)
will meet via teleconference on August 2-3, 2017 to review progress made by the military services toward
meeting the goals on use of Military Education, Training, and Assessment for STCW and National Mariner
Endorsements. To receive the teleconference phone number, contact LTJG James Fortin at 202-372-1128 or
[email protected]. Additional details are located here.
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Cybersecurity News By: Richard Wells
USCG Offshore Cyber Security Exercise: The USCG Area Maritime Security Committee in partnership with
BSEE and the National Cyber Exercise Planning Program will hold a security drill on Tuesday, August 8, 2017.
The drill will include a cyber-attack on vessel DP systems. Additional exercise and registration information are
located here.
Cyber Attack Hits Maritime Sector: While the global ransomware attack hit primarily education and healthcare
organizations last month, this time maritime interests are also being impacted. This cyberattack (named Petya)
began in Ukraine, before quickly spreading around the globe, infecting Windows computers across Europe, North
America and Australia. A day after the incident began, at least 2,000 attacks have been recorded across at least 64
countries.
The OMSA staff forwarded information we received from the USCG to security contacts at OMSA member
companies. Specifically, the USCG received notification of four separate cyber-attacks on maritime interests. Two
attacks were ransomware: the user is urged to pay a ransom to remove the encryption from files. One attack shut
down all computers at a facility. This included electronic security such as the main gate which was locked in the
closed position. One attack disrupted communications in a facility and also affected multiple vessels.
Media sources specifically name A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk Group), one of the world's most prominent maritime
conglomerates as one attack victim. The attack has affected Maersk's container bookings and its terminal operations.
Unlike most ransomware, Petya doesn't encrypt every file on a computer. Instead it locks only the Master File
Table, which is the index that allows a computer find each file on a hard drive. If the Master File Table is encrypted,
all other files are effectively inaccessible.
As with the last attack, the most notable feature is the speed it is spreading. It appears it is exploiting vulnerabilities
in all forms of Windows software related to networking and file sharing. The result is that one machine being
infected in an organization, can quickly lead to an entire network being infected.
Experts are suggesting:
All Windows computers be aggressively updated with the latest Microsoft security patches,
All Windows computers be protected by anti-virus and anti-malware software that is aggressively updated
with current virus definitions,
Any Windows computers that can’t be updated, such as those running Windows XP software, be
disconnected from the internet and company file share servers,
Recent backup copies of all important files are routinely created (to allow restoration of a computer without
paying any ransom) and stored off of that computer,
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Reminding computer users how to spot phishing email, to not open unexpected attachments, and to
disconnect any computer from the internet at the first sign of a virus or malware to stop any problem from
spreading throughout the company.
Dynamic Positioning News
By: Richard Wells
FMEA Gap Analysis Draft Techop Released: The Marine Technology Society’s Dynamic Positioning
Committee has issued TECHOPS - RP D102 FMEA GAP ANALYSIS. This is a draft version and comments will
be accepted through September 20, 2017. Quoting from the document:
3.1.1 RP D102 methodology is intended to assist FMEA practitioners to identify the existence of common
points between systems intended to provide redundancy and to assess the risks those common points
represent for station keeping integrity.
3.1.2 The methodology was developed for applications such as DP systems and redundant propulsion where
fault tolerance depends on redundancy. The identification and analysis of fault propagation paths through
common points and external interfaces is central to this methodology.
As this will be released as an “industry consensus” document, review and comment from a very broad range of the
DP industry is needed. As the USCG and vessel charterers often adopt or have indicated the intent to adopt MTS
DP Committee documents as requirements, early review and comments on this document is strongly encouraged.
New Learning From Incidents DP Reports Released: The MTS DP Committee has published two new DP
Learning From Incidents (LFI) reports to share lessons learned from DP incidents with the DPO and vessel operator
community. They are available by clicking here.
DP Workshop and Conference Announced: The MTS DP Committee will hold its Annual DP Conference
October 9-11, 2017 at the Westin Memorial City Hotel in Houston. Details are here. Sessions to discuss draft
MTS documents including the DP Vessel Stacking guidelines will be discussed. The OMSA staff urges
knowledgeable DP vessel personnel to attend these sessions to ensure guidance you can implement and live with
are published.
Other News
By: Richard Wells
sVGP Reminder: Those OMSA members with vessels less than 79 feet in length will need to comply either with
the EPA sVGP (Small Vessel General Permit) or the VGP (Vessel General Permit) not later than December 18,
2017. If you have larger vessels currently under the VGP, it may be easier to cover all of your fleet with the same
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permit, rather than having two permit systems to manage. Details are available here for sVGP or here for VGP to
assist in compliance. If using the VGP, each vessel must select one of the two applicable options below to secure
coverage under the VGP. The electronic NOI becomes effective seven days after completing the EPA electronic
form, so to have coverage by December 18, 2017 you need to begin the EPA multiple step registration process no
later than late November.
The 2013 VGP provides two options for vessel owners/operators to obtain permit coverage:
1. Notice of Intent (NOI): Vessels of 300 gross tons or more OR that have the ability to hold or discharge more
than eight cubic meters (2,113 gallons) of ballast water must submit an NOI to obtain coverage. An NOI must
be submitted electronically at EPA’s 2013 VGP eNOI system.
2. Final 2013 VGP Permit Authorization and Record of Inspection (PARI) Form: Vessels less than 300 gross
tons AND that do not have the capacity to hold or discharge more than eight cubic meters (2,113 gal) of ballast
water are not required to submit an NOI. Instead, operators of these vessels must complete a PARI Form (Fill
and Print), as provided in Appendix K of the 2013 VGP, and keep a copy of that form onboard the vessel at all
times. Doing so provides coverage under the 2013 VGP for these vessels.
A responsible corporate officer (of a corporation), or a general partner or the proprietor (for a partnership or sole
proprietorship) must sign and certify any NOI form. If the certifying official who will sign an NOI does not have
an eNOI account, they must register to access the eNOI system through EPA’s Central Data Exchange (CDX)
interface first.
MARAD Small Shipyard Grants: The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced $9.8 million is available
for grants to qualified small shipyard facilities. Under the Small Shipyard Grant Program, there are funds available
for capital and related improvements to qualified shipyard facilities that will be effective in fostering efficiency,
competitive operations, and quality ship construction, repair, and reconfiguration. It is anticipated that
approximately five to -12 applications will be funded with an average grant amount of about $1 million.
Applications must be received by the Maritime Administration by 5 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 5, 2017. Full
details are located here.
Effect of Human Sound on Marine Mammals: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
issued a notice stating that it seeks comments on their Technical Guidance for Assessing the Effects of
Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal Hearing which must be received by July 17, 2017. Comments must be
submitted by clicking here and then click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or
attach your comments. Operators of Seismic vessels are strongly urged to review and comment on this guidance.
NTSB Releases Three Workboat Investigations: While all three cases involve specific workboats, the lessons to
be learned are universal. All NTSB investigations are available here.
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) posted the report of its investigation of the allision of a tank
barge with a pier MAB 17-18. The probable cause of the casualty was reported as the captain and the engineer's
poor communication, their inadequate assessment of the hazardous condition posed by an engine control
malfunction, and the decision to continue operations without ensuring that the malfunction had been corrected.
Contributing to the accident was crew unfamiliarity with the company's safety management system that addressed
actions in response to hazardous conditions.
Also in MAB 17-19 a fire in a tug’s engine room was reported. The fire spread from the engine room into the
accommodation area and wheelhouse. The probable cause of the fire was reported as the failure of the power
assembly components on the main engine. Contributing to the extent of the fire damage was the substantial use of
combustible materials in the interior spaces and crew unfamiliarity with the firefighting equipment.
Lastly, in MAB 17-20 the investigation of the flooding of the laid-up dive support vessel reported the probable
cause of the engine room flooding was reported as the localized corrosion of the hull structure resulting from the
lack of oversight and maintenance in preserving the hull's metal plating with an adequate marine coating and
cathodic protection system.
CMTS Infrastructure, Safety & Innovation: The Committee on the Marine Transportation System (CMTS)
hosted a series of brief talks on Infrastructure, Safety, and Innovation to discuss physical and technological
infrastructure related to the Marine Transportation System (MTS). This event was held to elevate infrastructure as
a critical issue impacting all Americans. The 90-minute event was recorded and can be viewed on YouTube.
Personnel responsible for the security or reliability of any critical part of your maritime infrastructure may find this
helpful.
EPA/USACE Waters of the United States: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE) sent a letter to governors soliciting input from states on a new definition of protected
waters to respond to a rebuke by the U.S. Supreme Court. While not related to vessels, this could impact your
waterfront facilities as well as your homes or farmland. Please click here for details and consider contacting your
Governor or state environmental agency to help them understand that a normally dry ditch or low point on your
property isn’t a waterway subject to EPA or USACE regulation.
Jones Act Seaman Status: The Texas Supreme Court ruled that a vessel taken out of service for a long shipyard
project and unable to engage in transportation for the entirety of a workers onboard employment is not a “vessel in
navigation” for the purposes of the Jones Act and no Jones Act seaman’s claim can be filed. For case details please
click here.
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International News
By: Richard Wells
ECDIS CIC: Both the Paris and the Tokyo Memorandum’s of Understanding on Port State Control (MoU) will
jointly conduct a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) for compliance with Safety of Navigation, including
Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (ECDIS) from September to November 2017. The specific
questionnaire to be used during the CIC will be published in August. Additional details are here. Most port nations
in Europe and East Asia as well as Canada are members of one of these MoU’s.
IMO BWMC Compliance: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Ballast Water Management
Convention (BWMC) goes into effect on September 8, 2017 for those countries that have ratified it. An Excel list
is available here for all IMO Conventions. Look at column “BF” for the BWMC ratification by country. The U.S.
has not ratified the BWMC, so there will be no BMWC impacts on vessel while operating in U.S. waters. The
USCG ballast water regulations that have been in effect since 2012 will continue to apply to domestic operations.
Based on the process used for the voluntary certificates issued to comply with the Maritime Labor Convention, the
likely source for BWMC certificates will be a Classification Society/Recognized Organization (RO). For a U.S.
vessel operating in the waters of a country that ratified the BWMC, the USCG provided a likely path to BWMC
compliance in the email text below:
We are working on guidance that will explain the process for vessels to receive a Statement of Voluntary
Compliance (SOVC) for the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC). You can look at NVIC 02-
13 which discusses how we approached compliance with the Maritime Labor Convention. I believe we will
take a similar path.
I have answered three of the four questions you raised.
Question: What are the standards/requirements for a US-flag OSV to get the SOVC?
Generally, to obtain a BWMC certificate, a vessel has to (1) have an approved BWM Plan (BWMP), (2)
have and maintain a ballast water record book; (3) meet either the BWE standard in regulation D-1 or the
ballast water performance standard in regulation D-2; (4) remove sediment IAW with regulation B-3; and
(5) the officers and crew must be familiar with their duties in the implementation of the BWMP. There are
other requirements the ship will need to meet (maintenance, reporting, recordkeeping) that will need to be
included in the BWMP and demonstrated to the inspector's satisfaction.
Question: How do the IMO OSV options in Circular BWM.2/Circ.44 ("Options for ballast water
management for Offshore Support Vessels in accordance with the BWM Convention") impact getting an
OSV SOVC?
As I read this circular, the options presented in Section 3, Methods of Compliance, may be selected by the
owner/operator when developing the BWMP.
Question: Who can issue the SOVC to an OSV, any OCMI, all/some RO's, USCG MSC?
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Under development.
Question: Which OSV's need the SOVC, domestic operations, International operations, holding a MARPOL
cert, or operating in a country that ratified the BWM Convention only?
Answer: OSVs that will make international voyages to countries signatory to the Convention will definitely
need an SOVC. OSVs making international voyages to countries not signatory to the Convention would
generally not need one, but might be wise to have one in case (1) the country ratifies the Convention after
the vessel begins its journey, or (2) in case the PSCOs decide to enforce the Convention even though not
signatory to the Convention (I say this because I am aware of difficulties your members have experienced
in the past in certain countries).
ILO MLC06 New Ratifications: Jamaica and Indonesia are the latest International Labor Organization (ILO)
Member States to ratify the Maritime Labor Convention, 2006 (MLC06). No indication on any timeline for U.S.
ratification of this Convention. Additional ILO MLC06 details are available here.
Follow OMSA on Social Media By: Ashley Smith
OMSA has updated its social media presence in order to keep our membership updated and make sure our voice
is heard!
Click here to follow OMSA on Facebook.
Click here to follow OMSA on Twitter.
Click here to follow OMSA on LinkedIn.
For additional questions or concerns, please contact me directly at [email protected].
OMSA Member Support Needed for CCA Legislators’ Fishing Rodeo in Grand Isle, August 4 & 5
By: Ashley Smith
Do you have a fishing boat? Do you have a camp in/near Grand Isle? If you answered yes to either or both
questions, OMSA NEEDS YOUR HELP!
As you all are aware, unfortunately, OMSA had to cancel the 2017 OMSA Fishing Rodeo. In lieu of this event,
OMSA has partnered with Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Louisiana for its invite-only Legislators’
Fishing Rodeo to be held Friday, August 4th and Saturday, August 5th in Grand Isle. They are in need of camp
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hosts for Friday and Saturday night and boats (inshore and offshore) to fish on Saturday morning in the
Rodeo. This event poses a unique and wonderful opportunity for OMSA and its members to make contacts and to
connect one-on-one with the LA Legislators, so that they can understand the importance of our industry and all
that it does for the state of Louisiana.
If the OMSA participation for this event is great enough, we will look into possibly including a separate OMSA
sponsored Fishing Rodeo in conjunction with the CCA Legislator’s Fishing Rodeo.
If you are able to help in anyway, please contact me as soon as possible at [email protected] or (504)
528-9411.
OMSA Louisiana Tax Conference, Tuesday, July 18 By: Ashley Smith
OMSA will host a Louisiana Tax Conference on Tuesday, JULY 18 in New Orleans, LA. This event will be held
from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm and will address HB 425 and the implications it presents for our industry.
Please read the below carefully:
· AGENDA ITEMS/CALL FOR SPEAKERS & PRESENTERS: We are finalizing the agenda this
week. If you have specific items that you would like to see discussed, or are interested in presenting, please
contact me as soon as possible at [email protected] (504) 528-9411.
· REGISTRATION & CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS OFFERED: An official invitation,
including registration link and fees, will be sent in the next week. This event will be open to OMSA members
and non-members. We are working on confirming 3.0 hours of CLE Credits (LA, TX, MS and AL) and 3.5 hours
of CPE CE Credits (LA) for attendees.
· SPONSORSHIPS: There are numerous opportunities to sponsor this event; including, a working
breakfast or lunch-and-learn. Please contact me directly at [email protected] (504) 528-9411 for
more details.
As a reminder, the full text of HB 425 and amendments thereto can be found here and here.
Save the Date: 3rd Quarter OMSA Member Call-In, Thursday, July 20 By: Ashley Smith
Please SAVE THE DATE for the 3rd Quarter OMSA Member Call-In to be held on Thursday, July 20 at 10:00
a.m. Please reserve approximately 1.5 hours for this call.
We are working to finalize agenda items, please email me with any topics you would like to hear discussed.
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A reminder email, including a final agenda and call-in number, will be sent approximately one week before. In
the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any additional questions or concerns.
Save the Date: OMSA Clay Shoot, Friday, October 20 By: Ashley Smith
In lieu of the OMSA Fall Golf Tournament, OMSA will host its first annual Clay Shoot on Friday, October 20 at
GOL Shooting in Maurice, LA.
An email, including registration and sponsorships will be sent in the next month. In the meantime, if you have
any further questions, please let me know.
OSVDPA Accredits Houston-area Training Provider By: Ben Berson
The OSVDPA recently announced that it accredited GE Marine Technical Training Center to conduct OSVDPA
DPO Training and Certification Activities. The OSVDPA’s Training Provider accreditation process involves the
submission, and subsequent approval, of various forms and materials, as well as an on-site audit of its facilities,
simulators, and instructors by an OSVPDA-Approved Independent Auditor and an OSVDPA staff member.
GE Marine’s Senior Marine Training Manager, Rayna Layne Seamans, said, “Since first hearing of the OSVDPA,
we at GE Marine Technical Training Center have been interested in representing their training scheme. The
program by which the OSVDPA facilitates DP training should prove very effective. They are customer-driven
and industry-focused, and I am so happy that we have “joined the family” so to speak. At a time when so many
DPOs have not been in front of the controls for months or years, assessment-based training is just what we need
to keep standards high.”
GE Marine becomes the third OSVDPA-Accredited Training Provider, joining The Marine Training Institute
(TMTI) in Gray, Louisiana and Kongsberg Maritime, which has facilities in Houston, Texas and St. Rose,
Louisiana.
For more information on OSVDPA Training Provider Accreditation, please click here.
Questions regarding the OSVDPA can be directed to the OSVDPA Administrator, Ben Berson, at
[email protected] or (504) 528-9414.
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OSVDPA TAC Approves Three New Assessment Scenarios By: Ben Berson
The OSVDPA Technical Advisory Council (TAC) recently approved three (3) new assessment scenarios for use in
the conducting of OSVDPA Phase 3, Phase 4, Phase 5, Grandfathering, and Revalidation Assessments.
The OSVDPA is creating a library of scenarios in an effort to have at least one (1) scenario relevant to the operations
performed by every mariner taking the OSVDPA assessment.
A brief description of the recently approved scenarios as well as background information on the OSVDPA’s
assessment policies and procedures can be found in OSVDPA Circular (2017-1) by clicking here and scrolling to
the bottom of the page.
Questions regarding OSVDPA assessments or any other OSVDPA-related matters can be directed to the OSVDPA
Administrator, Ben Berson, at [email protected] or (504) 528-9414.
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2017 OMSA MEETINGS & EVENTS SCHEDULE
Monday, January 23 – 1st Quarter Board of Directors Meeting
BY INVITATION ONLY
Tuesday, January 31 – 1st Quarter Membership Meeting New Orleans Downtown Marriott at the Convention center – New Orleans, LA
Monday, April 3rd – 2nd Quarter Board of Directors Meeting BY INVITATION ONLY
Friday, May 5 – Spring Golf Tournament Lakewood Golf Club – New Orleans, LA
Thursday, May 18th – 2nd Quarter Membership Meeting New Orleans Downtown Marriott at the Convention center – New Orleans, LA
CANCELLED Friday, June 2 - Saturday, June 3 – OMSA Fishing Rodeo BridgeSide Maina – Grand Isle, LA
Wednesday, July 12 – 3rd Quarter Board of Directors Meeting BY INVITATION ONLY
Tuesday, July 18 – Louisiana Tax Conference
TBD – New Orleans, LA
Thursday, July 20 – 3rd Quarter Member Call-In
Wednesday, September 27 – 4th Quarter Membership Meeting
TBD – New Orleans, LA
Wednesday, October 18 – 4th Quarter Board of Directors Meeting BY INVITATION ONLY
Friday, October 20 – Clay Shoot Location TBD
Friday, December 8 – OMSA’s Christmas Cocktails TBD – New Orleans, LA
**Please note, dates are subject to change prior to the official invitation and registration links that will be sent to membership.
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