MINUTES OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND MEETING
OF THE LA/LB HARBOR SAFETY COMMITTEE

 

(Local Coast Guard Briefing follows)

WEDNESDAY, 02 FEBRUARY 2005

The One Hundred and Second Meeting of the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor Safety Committee was convened in the main auditorium of the Port of Los Angeles Administration Building.  Chairman Strong called the Meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.  The Executive Secretary determined that there was a quorum present, as listed below --

FOR THE PORT OF LONG BEACH

FOR THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES

FOR THE LONG BEACH PILOT ORGANIZATION

Ms. Yvonne Allen (Ch.Wharf.)

(ABSENT)

Capt. John Strong (JPS)
     

FOR THE TANKER OPERATORS

FOR THE LOS ANGELES PILOT ORGANIZATION

FOR THE MOORING MASTERS

Capt. Norman George (MTL)

Capt. Mike Rubino (POLAPS)

(ABSENT)
     

FOR TUG & BARGE OPERATORS

FOR THE DRY CARGO CARRIERS

FOR RECREATIONAL BOATERS

Mr. Jeff Browning (Sause Bros.)

Mr. Philip Wright (Zim)

(ABSENT)
     

FOR ORGANIZED LABOR

FOR THE CALIF. COASTAL COMM.

FOR THE MARINE OIL TERMINAL OPERATORS

Mr. John C. Cox (SIU)

Ms. Ellen Faurot-Daniels

Capt. Jim Bobbitt (BP)
     

FOR THE U.S. COAST GUARD

FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS

(SANTA MONIKA BAY)

FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS

(LA.LB HARBOR REGION)

CDR Marc Nguyen, USCG MSO/Group LA/LB

(ABSENT)

Mr. Gary Brown (Orange County CoastKeeper)
     

FOR THE CDF&G/OSPR

FOR PASSENGER FERRY OPERATORS

FOR THE USACOE

Mr. James Rolin, Field Rep.

(ABSENT)

Mr. Jim Fields

FOR THE CALIF.STATE LANDS COMM.

Mr. Gary Gregory

FOR THE FISHING COMMUNITY

Mr. Orlando Amoroso

FOR THE U.S. NAVY

(ABSENT)
 

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

  
 

Capt. Richard B. McKenna (MX-SOCAL)

ALTERNATES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, AND OTHER PARTIES (SEE ATTACHED LIST)

  

Chairman Strong opened the meeting by welcoming everyone in attendance, thanking them for their interest and participation in the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor Safety Committee.  He expressed the Committee’s appreciation and thanks to the Port of Los Angeles for making their facilities available for this gathering and for providing the continental breakfast enjoyed by all.

The Chairman then advised the audience that they would be offered the opportunity to speak before this panel, after Item IV under “New Business” was announced.  He also encouraged all present to be sure to “sign-up” on the attendance sheet being circulated amongst the audience.  The Chairman explained that certain members of the LA/LB HSC panel were “non-voting” and therefore would not be participating in any “show of hands” vote called to determine a decision on any particular agenda or action item.

ITEM  I -- APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND PROCEDURAL MOTION:

Chairman Strong called for approval of the Minutes of the 101st  Meeting.  Mr. Gregory  moved, seconded by Mr. Cox, to accept and approve the Minutes of the 101st  Meeting, as presented.  Motion carried unanimously by a show of hands from voting members present.

Captain McKenna moved, absent of official paperwork currently enroute, to accept Mr. Orlando Amoroso as the Representative of Fishing Interests for purposes of the current meeting. Seconded by Mr. Brown and carried unanimously by a show of hands from voting members present. 

ITEM  II -- OLD  BUSINESS:

            (A) Update On Marine Exchange Vessel Traffic Center:

 Capt. Dick McKenna, Deputy Executive Director, MX-LA/LB Harbor, reported. A positive update was given on the health and welfare of Captain Manny Aschemeyer, Committee Executive Secretary,  currently recuperating from heart surgery. Vessel traffic number count is up again, after two relatively slow months in November and December because of last year’s cargo congestion. The level of traffic has return to pre congestion figures.

Since the last meeting, there have been three incidents, one steering related and two propulsion related, all occurring in CY2004. The year ended with a total of thirty six incidents, seventy two percent of which were attributable to material failure. Several propulsion incidents of the type experienced in 2004 will likely take place outside of the Precautionary Area in the coming year thanks to the new rules for testing engines just recently implemented by the Captain of the Port. There have been no incidents reported thus far this year.

(B) Update on USCG MSO/Group Activities:

Presented by Commander Mark Nguyen, USCG – Chief of Prevention - MSO/Group LA/LB.

The Coast Guard is in the “education phase” of the implementation of Automated Identification System (AIS) rules until the end of March. The same applies for the new engine testing requirements to be completed prior to entering the Precautionary area. A Coast Guard Industry day is scheduled for 24 February to provide lessons learned and to answer any questions on the subject.

MSO is currently working on the rules for publication on the new Catalina Anchorages, the extension to the Foxtrot Anchorages, and new regulations for the Bravo and Echo Anchorages.

(C) Update on OSPR Activities in Sacramento:

Mr. Jim Rolin reintroduced Mr. Al Storm to the Committee, and announced that he would be returning as the Committee’s OSPR Sacramento Representative, a position he had held several years ago. No decision has been made on the LA Pilot position or the Labor Organization Alternate Member. Commencing February 4th,OSPR will be bringing select contingency plans from Sacramento to the pertinent facilities to verify that the plans of record match plans in place at the facilities. Every effort is being made to have this verification take place concurrently with scheduled State Lands facility inspections. Additionally, OSPR will be conducting its OSRO Unannounced Drill program on non – tank vessels throughout Southern California ports in the near future.

(D.) Update on Local OSPR Activities:

             Mr. Rolin announced that he would like tank vessel operators and tug operators to deliberate and provide input on what could be done if an escort tug was out of certification and the tug escort requirements could not be met.

(E.) Update on California State Lands Activities:

               Mr. Gary Gregory reported that annual statistics have been completed for the Calendar Year 2004, notably showing a nine percent decrease in the number of transfer operations statewide and yet there has been a five percent increase in the amount of oil that was transferred..

               Customer Service meetings have been scheduled for April up north and here in Long Beach on the 24th of March.

 The ballast water fee structure has been reviewed by the State Lands Technical Advisory Group, which has recommended a reduction from the present $500.00 to $400.00. This issue will be reviewed by the Commission in either mid February or early March. Depending on that timing, the new fee will go into effect either 1 April or 1 May. Industry will be notified once the date has been set.

 (F) Update on U. S,. Army Corps of Engineers:

Mr. Jim Fields indicated that January’s rains had caused significant shoaling in the LA River Estuary. Catalina Express ferries are currently unable to operate out of Queensway Marina. The extent of shoaling is currently under investigation with dredging anticipated in April. Port of LA Main Channel dredging is on going.

(G) Update From NOAA:

 Commander Gerry Wheaton indicated that new charts for the Harbor are out. The 37th edition of the Coast Pilot has been promulgated and is available for purchase as well as on the NOAA website. Also he announced round table discussions on the Southern California Coastal Storms program, to be conducted in San Diego on 15 February, and in Long beach on 17 February. Committee members should consider attending.

ITEM III -- NEW  BUSINESS:    

(A) Sub Committee Reports:

S/C # 1 --  Mr. Jeff Browning, Chair: The Sub Committee is still awaiting information on signs identifying submerged pipelines and cables.  A separate need is to remove chart markings where pipes and cables have already been removed.

The Committee has also been working on some recommended changes to Bollard Pull regulations. Based on some wording developed with OSPR Sacramento staff, a proposal was made to apply for a two year extension to the present three year certification limit, reverting to three years after the extension. This was approved in Sub Committee with 11 votes for, none against. Mr. Browning sought the approval of the full Committee. Chairman Strong gave a brief summation of the problem, that the power of the new tugs was such that they were pulling bollards out of place, and Southwest Marine, the only organization permitting such testing, was closing on 31 March, leaving no testing facilities  in the LA-LB area. He then called for discussion on the matter. Mr. Browning pointed out that there is strong evidence indicating that test results on individual tugs do not vary significantly from three to five years. The extension would allow time to explore current methodologies and hopefully improve the science of bollard testing. Ms. Ellen Fourot-Daniels pointed out that, since this item was not on the agenda, and in order to comply with the Brown Act, a two thirds majority vote was required to place any resolution on the topic before the Committee. Mr. Browning moved to put the bollard pull issue on the agenda, seconded by Mr. Cox, and carried unanimously. An extensive discussion then continued, with salient points as follows: (1) the three year figure for testing as established was an arbitrary figure, because this was new territory with nothing to go on, (2) many of the original tugs at the time were in need of testing to set a benchmark; (3) newer tugs in addition to being more powerful have benefited from the experience of initial requirements and have established, documented engineering criteria that could be more appropriately used as a standard for a longer period of time, (4) There should be a common testing area established for the Port Complex. The discussion went on to explore what to ask of the OSPR Administrator. As a result of these deliberations, Mr. Browning moved to write a letter to OSPR requesting waiver of recertification of tugs in Los Angeles and Long Beach for two years, effective 1 April 2005, for purposes of exploring bollard pull testing options available to the Committee. Seconded by Mr. Cox and carried unanimously, with the exception of the U.S. Coast Guard abstaining.  

(1)                          S/C # 2 – Capt. Bent Christiansen, Chair, reports the Sub Committee is still working on its outreach to the boating community. A boating guide brochure is at the printers, with another on the way.

(B) Annual Review of  the LA/LB Harbor Safety Plan for 2005:

(1)     Capt. Strong asked for a report from the assigned facilitators for each chapter of the HSP

(a)    Chapters I – IV, & VIII (Geographic Boundaries; Weather, Tides & Currents; Aids to   Navigation; Anchorages; Bridges) – U.S. Coast Guard, Capt. Neffenger, LT Gooding –NO CHANGES FOR I – III; IV & VIII TO BE UPDATED/REVISED

(b)    Chapter V (Harbor Depths) – USACOE, Jim Fields – MINOR CHART REVISION

(c)    Chapters VI, VII, VIII, & XI (Contingency Routing; Accidents, Spill, Near Misses; Communications; Vessel Traffic Service) -- USCG, Capt. Neffenger, and MX-VTS Capt. McKenna – NO CHANGE FOR CONTINGENCY ROUTING, ACCIDENTS, SPILLS, NEAR MISSES STANDARD END OF YEAR INPUT; NO REVISIONS FOR COMMUNICATIONS; MINOR CHANGES FOR VTS.

(d)    Chapter X (Small Recreational Boats) – Tom Dessel -- CHANGES ANTICIPATED

(e)    Chapter XII (Tug Escort for Tank Vessels) – Capt. Norman George (MTL), THREE CHANGES RECOMMENDED, SC#1 REVIEW

(f)     Chapters XIII, XIV, & XIX (Pilotage, Under Keel Clearance, and Reduced Visibility operations – Capt. Strong, Capt. Rubino, Capt. Miller – NO CHANGES FOR XIV, XIX; MINOR CHANGES FOR XIII

(g)    Chapter XV (Economic Impact of HSP) – CSLC, Gary Gregory – AFTER THOROUGH REVIEW, CHAPTER TO BE DELETED.

(h)    Chapter XVI (Environmental Impact of HSP) – Garry Brown, Or. Co. Coast Keeper – CHANGES ANTICIPATED; EXTENSIVE REVIEW UNDERWAY.

(i)      Chapter XVII (Plan Enforcement) – OSPR, Jim Rolin – MINOR CHANGES SUBMITTED.

(j)       Chapter XVIII (Marine Oil Terminals) – Capt. Jim Bobbit (BP) -- NO CHANGES

(k)     Executive Summary – Capt. Manny Aschemeyer, Capt. John Strong –UPDATES ANTICIPATED.

(l)      VTS Users Manual – MX-VTS, Capt. Dick McKenna -- MINOR CHANGES SUBMITTED.

(m)   VOP Quick Reference – Capt. John Strong – REVISIONS ANTICIPATED

(n)     Appendices – Chairman Strong moved that, under Appendix C, Tug Escort, Part 4. (1994 Escort/Assist Regulations) be removed and replaced with all approved Alternate Compliance Programs for LA/LB currently on file with OSPR. Seconded by Capt. Rubino and carried unanimously by a show of hands . 

(4)    Other New Business

Chairman Strong related that the next meeting of the Area Maritime Security Committee  would be held on February 9th at the Port of Los Angeles.

The Seventh Annual National Harbor Safety Committee Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach 17-20 April. As hosts, we are soliciting sponsorship or support for sponsorship from Committee members. Everyone is encouraged to attend the Conference at a minimum. The National perspective makes it worth the effort. Registrations can be made online at Motivatorsconference.com, or by linking to same on the Marine Exchange website.

Jim Rolin  announced that the Tug and Barge Operators term expires this month and encouraged applicants to submit in a timely manner to permit seating the Representative at the April meeting. Also, he will be promulgating a list of other seats with near term expiration dates.

ITEM  IV -- QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:

Dr. Jim Fawcett, University of Southern California Sea Grant Program stated USC and NOAA are sponsoring a Maritime Cargo Security Conference on Friday, March 4. The Conference is all day and lunch will be provided. It will be conducted at the Davidson Conference Center on the USC Campus. Flyers are forthcoming.

Mr. Ike Ikert of Blue Water Services announced that his Company would be offering three oil spill courses in Los Angeles this year. The courses will consist of a three day, hands on program for operators. Later, in April, there will also be a workshop for MARSEC drills and exercises.

Mr. Jim Papp of Transmarine asked Commander Nguyen about the compliance rate for AIS among foreign flag vessels. Thus far, there have been 8 discrepancies noted, mainly of a minor technical nature. Based on the present trend, no major problems are anticipated.

ITEM V -- MEETING SCHEDULE:

The next regular meeting for the LA/LB HSC will be held on the 6th of April, 2005, at the Port of Los Angeles Administration Building, at 9:30 a.m. (breakfast reception). Announcements and materials will be mailed out to all interested parties in late March.

ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned by the Chairman at 11:29 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Capt. R.B. McKenna
Executive Secretary, LA/LB HSC    

Harbor Safety Committee “Local CG” Briefing (2 February 2005)

1. Introduction

2. Automatic Identification System (AIS)

a.      On October 22, 2003, the Coast Guard published in the Federal Register the final rule for Automatic Identification System; Vessel Carriage Requirements for vessels navigating the Los Angeles/Long Beach Vessel Movement Reporting System (VRMS) area.  The Los Angeles/Long Beach Vessel Movement Reporting System area is the navigable waters within a 25 nautical mile radius of Point Fermin Light (33-42.3N, 118-17.6W).

b.     The Coast Guard began enforcing the AIS requirements since January 1, 2005.  We appreciate industry’s support and compliance.  In all but one instance, the AIS problem has been resolved by the vessel reseting its AIS system.

3. Safety

a.      We sent out a Captain of the Port notice to remind mariners of the requirements to perform pre-arrival tests before entering 12 nm from land.  The Coast Guard will actively enforce this regulation.  Fines can be from $2,000 to $32,500.

5.  The Coast Guard closed the comment period on the three anchorage regulations, Catalina Anchorages, Extension to the Foxtrot Anchorages, and Special Anchorage regulations for portions of the Bravo and Echo anchorages.  We are working on finalizing the rules for publication.

6. Conclusion

Under the agenda of edits to the HSP the Coast Guard has the following:

Per the last meeting, the Coast Guard still does not plan on changing the following sections:

Chapter 1     Geographical Boundaries

Chapter 2     General Weather, Tides, Currents, and Monitoring Technology

Chapter 3     Aids to Navigation – only one phone number

Appendices   A: Applicable Standards and Regulations

                   D: USCG COTP Notice 03-97

J: Memorandum between VTS and LA/LB for    Vessel Traffic Management

                             L: Marine Safety and Pollution Laws

The Coast Guard will amend the language in Chapter 4 (Anchorages) if the final regulations are published.  However, at this time there are currently no changes.

Chapter 4