hawaiioceanlaw.com

Hawaii Ballast Water Treatment Project

The U.S. Coast Guard announced  the availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment for the Shipboard Technology Evaluation Program on the M/V Moku Pahu.  Matson is undertaking a ballast water treatment project using Ecochlor technology.  The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment. 

The comment deadline is June 3, 2008.

Update: Hawaii's Proposed Fuel Law for Nawiliwili

Apparently, the bill to restrict fuel types in use at Nawiliwili Harbor is dead for this session.  Earlier, I posted on problems with the bill.

One alternative to consider is the "carrot" approach.  The Port of Long Beach, which lost its "stick" approach earlier this month, is proposing incentives to encourage the use of more environmentally friendly fuels. 

Ocean Law News - Cosco Busan Pilot Charged

The U.S. Attorney's Office in San Francisco has charged the pilot of the Cosco Busan with misdemeanor violations of the Clean Water Act.  The incident was discussed here. 

More on Ko Olina - "Minimal" Impact

More on the apparent diesel oil spill at Ko Olina - The Coast Guard says there was only minimal impact.  I posted about the spill earlier here.

Oil Spill Reported - Ko Olina

The Advertiser reports an oil spill in the waters surrounding the Ko Olina resort on Oahu.  The Coast Guard's news release is here.

The Coast Guard's photos show what diesel looks like on the ocean.

Exxon Valdez Puni's - Longer Argument Allowed

Looks like the Supreme Court is interested in a FULL argument in the Exxon Valdez punitive damages case.  It allowed for 45 minutes of argument per side, instead of the customary 30 minutes.  My post on this case is here.

Cosco Busan Preliminary Investigation Released

The Coast Guard released its preliminary investigation into the response to the Cosco Busan oil spill today, as promised in my earlier post, here.

It is a lengthy report prepared by a committee of various federal, state and non-governmental organization representatives.  Interesting to note that the committee found that owing to the reduction of oil spills nationwide, there are fewer numbers of experienced large spill responders.

Cosco Busan Preliminary Investigation Finished

Coastguardnews.com reports here that the Incident Specific Preparedness Review initial report on the Cosco Busan incident has been sent to Coast Guard Headquarters with public release expected in two weeks.

This review "While not an investigation, the ISPR process is an administrative assessment rooted in Coast Guard marine safety directives. It provides a method for outside entities to join the Coast Guard to review the response of the Unified Command to a particular incident. The ISPR focused on two primary areas: preparedness and response. An ISPR report identifies lessons learned and makes recommendations."

This is one of many reviews of the Cosco Busan incident, previous posts are here, here, and here.

Potential Sewage Spill in Kailua Bay

Per Hawaiireporter.com and undoubtedly as a result of last night's rains, sewage went into the storm drains in Enchanted Lake on Oahu, with potential runoff into Kaelepulu Stream and the ocean at Kailua Bay, as reported here.

Cosco Busan Departs and Pilot Surrenders Federal Pilot License

The Cosco Busan was allowed to leave San Francisco after a "customs hold" was placed on the vessel following her allision with the Oakland Bay Bridge, discussed here.  The Coast Guard press release includes links to video and pictures of the ship underway.

In related news, the Coast Guard reports that the pilot onboard during the allision has voluntarily deposited his federal license with the Coast Guard.  Pilotage in ports and harbors has been regulated by the States since 1789.  Historically, there have been complaints that the States are given the right to regulate pilotage but the same law exists today.