Volcanic ash stops traffic

An ash cloud from an erupting volcano in Iceland grounded more than 100,000 airline flights between April 15-22.

The International Air Transport Association said that the flight cancellations have cost the world's airlines an estimated $1.7 billion, according to a story in the Washington Post.

The cancellations have made that week the worst breakdown in civil aviation since the Second World War, according to a story in the San Francisco Examiner, far surpassing any emergency measures taken after Sept. 11 when airports closed for three days. 

Tim Davey, president of Ft. Lauderdale-based Global Marine Travel, found creative ways to get some of his clients home from Europe during the crisis."We flew crew that needed to get from Germany to Florida from Frankfurt to Dubai, and they connected with Emirates to Houston and then onto Ft. Lauderdale," he said.

The last time the Eyjafjallajokull volcano exploded more than 180 years ago, the eruptions lasted more than a year. The volcano was still erupting even though air traffic has resumed on April 22.

USCG warns about channel switch

The U.S. Coast Guard announced that an automatic channel switching feature found on certain models of DSC-equipped VHF marine radios may create an unintended hazard by automatically switching from a working channel to Channel 16 when the VHF marine radio receives a DSC (Digital Selective Calling) distress alert, distress alert acknowledgment or other DSC call where a VHF channel number has been designated.

Since this unsafe condition can happen at any time, the Coast Guard strongly recommends disabling the automatic channel switching feature when maintaining a listening watch or communicating on the designated bridge-to-bridge radio telephone, or while monitoring the vessel traffic services channel. Radios that lack the disabling feature should not be used for bridge-to-bridge or VTS communications.

For more information, visit www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/dsc.htm. Questions should be directed to Russell Levin at +1 202-475-3555 or Russell.S.Levin@uscg.mil.

Young angler hits Royal Slam

In April, 9-year-old Jack McCluskey of Palm Beach, Fla., became the youngest angler ever to achieve the Billfish Royal Slam, the successful catch of each of the nine different species of billfish from their indigenous waters around the world. McCluskey caught his first in the Bahamas 10 months ago and his last, a White Marlin off the coast of Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic, in April.

E50 decision expected this summer

This summer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will decide on whether to allow a 50 percent increase in the amount of ethanol in the nation's gasoline supply, from the current E10 (or containing 10 percent ethanol) up to E15 (containing 15 percent ethanol). 

However, with testing data on the new "mid-level" ethanol formulation to be completed on only a small group of 2001 and newer model vehicles by this time frame, consumers with older cars, boats, non-road vehicles or gas-engine powered equipment may find that the fuel is not compatible or safe for use, according to a statement by BoatU.S.

"Some of our members have advised us of performance, compatibility and possible safety issues with the current E10 blend," said BoatU.S. Vice President of Government Affairs Margaret Podlich. "To add 50 percent more ethanol to every gallon of gas without first knowing what it will do to the older vehicles and other gasoline engines we currently own, is simply irresponsible."

The U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety has also raised concerns about higher levels of ethanol and the lack of independent testing. Ethanol can accelerate the deterioration of fuel system components such as fuel lines, causing them to fail and increasing the level of risk for fire or explosions, BoatU.S. said.

BoatU.S. is part of followthescience.org , a coalition of 46 motor sports, environmental, food and citizen advocate groups asking for "science first" before the EPA allows a new fuel on the market. BoatU.S. is also a member ofAllSAFE , the Alliance for a Safe Alternative Fuels Environment.

S.C. plans for marine park

South Carolina plans to establish Bucksport Marine Park, an industrial marine park near the existing Bucksport Marina outside of Conway, according to Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority. GSWSA will contribute the land. Santee Cooper will provide the engineering and permitting and Horry County will help with the infrastructure.

“This is a work in progress and will take some time before the park is tenant-ready,” said Fred Richardson, GSWSA chief executive officer. "In the meantime, we’ll improve the existing facilities at Bucksport Marina which will remain a fully-functioning marina for residents and transient boaters to enjoy even after the marine park is operational."

“Like most industries, the marine industry has taken a hit as the U.S. economy struggles,” said Jimmy Yahnis, chairman of the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corp. “The business climate will improve, and as it does, Horry County will be in an exceptional position to attract industry. We’re optimistic that by the time the park is ready for tenants, we’ll be able to attract boat builders, marine repair businesses, boat refurbishment companies and other marine service organizations."

U.S., Germany merge travel programs

The United States and Germany agreed to integrate their trusted traveler programs.

“Integrating one of our biometric trusted traveler programs with Germany’s will facilitate legitimate trade and travel between our two nations while allowing law enforcement to focus on the most serious security threats at points of entry to our country,” said Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute.

“The joint program will make trans-Atlantic air travel easier and make it more secure at the same time,” said German Interior Ministry State Secretary Klaus-Dieter Fritsche.

Under this statement, the United States and Germany will develop processes for qualified citizens of either country to apply for both the United States’ Global Entry program and Germany’s Automated and Biometrics-Supported Border Controls (ABG) program, which each use biometrics to identify trusted travelers.

Citizens of the Netherlands may also apply under a special reciprocal arrangement—similar to the one initiated today between the United States and Germany—that links Global Entry with the Privium program in Amsterdam.

For more information, visit www.cbp.gov/travel.

U.S. boats need pirate protection

Protecting maritime industry workers from pirates is among the action items in the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD) 2010 legislative agenda, approved in March by union leaders strategizing for the coming year. 

“Transportation labor urges the U.S. government to prevent acts of piracy in the short term through immediate military and other government assistance and over the long term through international engagement,” reads the statement approved by the group. “Specifically, transportation labor believes the most effective means to prevent and repel acts of piracy is for our government to immediately provide U.S.-flag vessels operating in high-risk waters with on-board armed force protection.”

Reported in a recent edition of Wheelhouse Weekly, a newsletter of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots. It has been reprinted with permission.

Criminal charges hurt industry

The shortage of skilled seafarers is being exacerbated by the negative impact of criminalization and the problem of global piracy, according to InterManager, the international trade association for the ship management industry whose members represent more than 200,000 seafarers.

“Legislative measures following an accident or incident have put the seafarer increasingly at risk of criminalization, and a rising incidence of piracy has led to correspondingly high personal risks,” Brian Martis, chairman of InterManager’s Criminalization Committee, told delegates at a recent conference in Mumbai in late March.

“These factors have had a direct, negative impact on crew retention and the natural replenishment of the workforce. Potential recruits are hesitant to take up a career at sea. The current shortage of skilled and qualified seafarers – already a significant crisis in the maritime industry – is further exacerbated. The eventual impact the global economy and the environment cannot be underestimated.”

Recent studies identified 14 cases of seafarers’ detainment in an 11-year period, Martis said. These cases involved lengthy detainments, “questionable” applications of law, and resulted in no charges.

These cases show seafarers are still being criminally prosecuted for maritime accidents beyond their control and indefinitely detained as “security” or “material witnesses” until the ship owner or insurance company pays.

Martis suggested that the world take 2010, the Year of the Seafarer, as an opportunity to improve working conditions by protecting the rights of professional mariners.

Reported in a recent edition of Wheelhouse Weekly, a newsletter of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots. It has been reprinted with permission.