Marine Exchange of Alaska
News Archives from 12-19-08 to 1-13-09Vessel General Permit issued by EPA . . . - 01/13/2009 Effective December 19, 2008, the U.S. EPA has issued a Vessel General Permit for incidental discharges from vessels. The 2008 Vessel General Permit (VGP) regulates discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels operating in a capacity as a means of transportation. The VGP includes general effluent limits applicable to all discharges; general effluent limits applicable to 26 specific discharge streams; narrative water-quality based effluent limits; inspection, monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements; and additional requirements applicable to certain vessel types. Recreational vessels as defined in section 502(25) of the Clean Water Act are not subject to this permit. In addition, with the exception of ballast water discharges, non-recreational vessels less than 79 feet (24.08 meters) in length, and all commercial fishing vessels, regardless of length, are not subject to this permit. See related news story on this issue from June 17, 2008. The link to the Background Information from the EPA below has all of the information on this issue. This includes a copy of the Vessel General Permit and and several fact sheets. Background Information on the Vessel General Permit Alaska TWIC Statistics Released . . . - 01/07/2009
Ice Rules for Cook Inlet were updated as of January 6, 2009. Mariners planning voyages through Cook Inlet any time this winter should be sure to consult the modified Ice Rules now in effect. Seafarers should watch for additional changes published as Local Notices to Mariners as required. Coast Guard photograph shows Coast Guard petty officer from Marine Safety Detachment Kenai on ice observation flight over Cook Inlet. January 6 Operating Procedures for Ice in Cook Inlet January 6 Navigation Advisory for Cook Inlet
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The
Transportation Security Administration has released the latest figures
concerning enrollments and activations of the Transportation Worker
Identification Credentials in Alaska. For Anchorage there have been
3918 enrollments and 2613 activations. These numbers include persons
who have enrolled at the mobile centers in Kodiak, Cordova and Dutch
Harbor. For Juneau there have been 2135 enrollments and 1509 activations.
These numbers include persons who have enrolled at the mobile centers
in Ketchikan, Craig, Sitka, Petersburg, Haines and Skagway. Nikiski
has enrolled 1298 persons and activated 1017 cards. Valdez has enrolled
1139 persons and activated 1017 cards. Nationwide there have been 782,395
enrollments and 554,547 cards activated and issued. The TWIC Cards
are required for persons who need unescorted access to waterfront facilities
with security plans required by the Marine Transportation Security
Act and for all persons holding Coast Guard issued merchant mariner
documents and licenses. The date when persons are required to have
a TWIC card in their possession for access to secure facilities in
Alaska is February 12, 2009. The compliance date for persons holding
merchant mariner documents or licenses is April 15, 2009. For questions
concerning enforcement of the regulations concerning the Transportation
Worker Identification Credentials contact your nearest U.S. Coast Guard
Sector Office.
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