28 Mar

Coast Guard attempts to convince the public and Congress that it can fix Deepwater

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
Mariners around Key West and South Florida have enough to worry about: storms, drug traffickers, illegal aliens, terrorist activity, cruise-ship emergencies and a potentially chaotic flotilla of Cuban refugees that may follow the death of Fidel Castro. Now they have one additional problem that could aggravate all the other risks. The Coast Guard has yanked eight patrol vessels out of…
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14 Mar

Towing Safety Advisory Committee seeks new members

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
Washington - The U.S. Coast Guard is soliciting applications for seven positions to the Towing Safety Advisory Committee.  Applications must be received on or before March 30, 2007. The TSAC advises the Secretary of Homeland Security on matters relating to shallow-draft inland and coastal waterway navigation and towing safety. The Coast Guard uses this advice in formulating the position of…
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14 Mar

CBP to assess fines for violation of the wood packaging import regulations

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
Effective Friday March 9, U.S. Customs and Border Protection may issue claims for liquidated damages and/or penalties against importers, carriers or bonded custodians for importing wood packaging material (WPM) in violation of the regulations. Liquidated damages result from a breach of obligation under bond. When violations occur, liquidated damages and/or penalties will be assessed based on the value of the…
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14 Mar

Twighlight to pay $100,000 fine for negligent operation of a vessel

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News
U.S. Attorney Scott Schools announced that $800,000 has now been collected for environmental restoration projects in the San Francisco Bay as a result of three shipping pollution prosecutions.  Yesterday, Twighlight Marine, Ltd., pleaded guilty to grossly negligent operation of a vessel and was sentenced to pay a $50,000 criminal fine, $100,000 in restitution to be added to the restoration fund,…
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