Combined HSC AMSC Annual Conference

Transcending Boundaries of Effort
Safety * Security * Stewardship

In June 2010, the U.S. Coast Guard harbor safety committees and area maritime security committees will hold a joint conference aimed at transcending the boundaries of efforts to improve and maintain safety and security within
the nation’s maritime transportation system and to foster stewardship of port and marine environments.

Conference Topics to Include• Integrating Safety and Security in the MTS
• MTS Recovery and Resiliency
• Port Facility and Harbor Access
• Safety and Security Elements in Port Development
• Maritime Safety and Security Research
• Best Practices and Lessons Learned

Conference Venue
Hyatt Regency Jersey City
2 Exchange Place
Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
$130/night, single/double

NOTE: On-line conference registration and hotel reservation links will be available on the conference website soon.

We welcome participation in the planning efforts from HSC and AMSC members from around the country as well as from local USCG units. We are still looking for panel members and moderators. For information on the next planning conference call, please reply to this post and someone will contact you.

For more information, please monitor the conference website!

Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 01-00

Guidelines on the Establishment of HSCs

HSC Establisment Guidance

2007 Harbor Safety Committee of the Year Citation

The Houston–Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee

The Houston–Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (HOGANSAC) is hereby recognized as the 2007 Harbor Safety Committee of the Year for significantly improving marine safety in the Houston–Galveston maritime area. In 2007, HOGANSAC strengthened its enormously successful maritime relationships and improved safety by identifying concerns and creating forums that achieve real-world results through innovation. HOGANSAC influenced policy at the national level through recommendations on deep draft ship entry facilitation, a two-day course of study known as “Brown Water University,” and its facility visit teams for safe access.

HOGANSAC’s Brown Water University grew out of its initial development of a publication to educate junior-level Coast Guard personnel, who were new to the region, on the unique characteristics of Houston’s inland towing operations. First taught in October 2007 to an audience of 30 Coast Guard personnel, the course grew in 2008 to include not only Coast Guard personnel but mariners and industry professionals as well. It is now recognized as an Industry–Coast Guard best practice to rapidly enhance the knowledge and understanding of the roles of industry and the Coast Guard in the inland transportation of goods on U.S. waterways.

HOGANSAC’s Navigation Operations Subcommittee developed safe navigation practices to reduce incidences of passing traffic pulling ships and barges off docks, efforts that resulted in a 25% decrease in parted lines in 2007. HOGANSAC also created facility interview teams who reviewed 256 vessel casualties occurring over a four-year period and implemented recommendations to reduce the number of incidents. The committee’s ATON (aid to navigation) Work Group partnered with Houston Vessel Traffic Service to revise the Quick Response Card in order to facilitate continuity of commercial operations after a self-reported ATON knockdown. ATON self-reporting has increased from 14.8% in 2006 to 48.5% today. HOGANSAC’s Harbor of Safe Refuge Subcommittee developed plans and procedures for conducting risk assessments, consistent with resolutions of the International Maritime Organization, to facilitate decision making when a vessel is in distress or seeking safe refuge. They completed chemical and gas dispersion models, identified offshore safe refuge locations, and created a decision tree for oil, chemical, gas, and other cargo vessels. The Harbor of Safe Refuge model is being incorporated into the South Texas Coastal Area Plan. Outreach and training initiatives for critical decision makers and other stakeholders is under way.

The exceptional actions and distinguished service of the Houston–Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee reflect the strong support and teamwork of both government and industry. The committee’s efforts are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the 2 highest traditions of maritime service and industry.

2006 Harbor Safety Committee of the Year Citation

The Harbor Safety Committee of the San Francisco Bay Region

The Harbor Safety Committee of the San Francisco Bay Region is hereby recognized as the 2006 Harbor Safety Committee of the Year for significantly improving marine safety in the San Francisco Bay maritime area. In 2006 the Committee responded to a number of critical issues through close cooperation with various stakeholder groups. In response to a “near miss” encounter of commuter ferries, the Ferry Operations Work Group called for meetings to be attended by the Coast Guard, four Bay Area ferry operators, and their employees to study high-speed ferry transits, safe approaches, and berthing procedures. Through the efforts of committee members, a ferry routing model and simulation identified specific risk areas, leading to identification and modification of current and future ferry routes. The National Oceanic and atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was included on the team and agreed to show these on nautical charts.

As a result of an oil spill caused when a container lashing cone hit the deck of an oil barge during bunkering, as well as other instances of containers and lashing gear falling from vessel decks and narrowly missing barge crews, the Prevention Through People Work Group convened several meetings with concerned industry and government representatives. The group determined that inadequate communications between the container vessel crew, dock personnel, bunkering barge crew, and office personnel were the principal cause of frequent near misses. With the cooperation of all stakeholders, a Bunker Barge Safety Program was established which included a Tankerman Check-off Sheet, a Bunker Delivery Notice, a Program for Agents, and Sample Crane Letters. These resources were made available online and on CD for use in the San Francisco Bay Region and other West Coast ports.

The local Physical Ocean Real-Time System (PORTS), which provides real-time tide and current data every 6 minutes, was almost shut down because of funding constraints. The PORTS Work Group obtained last-minute state funding and initiated an in-depth review of how the system could be more responsive to its various users. PORTS is vital to safe passage on San Francisco Bay with its strong currents, microclimates, and frequent fog. PORTS is now redeployed with new sensors, and an easy-to-use communications system. The Committee has taken a leadership role in seeking state funding to create a PORTS system for California’s five harbors.

The Navigation Work Group intervened with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), obtaining agreement for a safety override clause to state regulations regarding the required switch to low-sulphur fuel oil on shipboard diesel–electric auxiliary engines. As a result, these regulations did not jeopardize safety, and CARB agreed to use the Work Group as a “sounding board” for future state regulations. The exceptional actions and distinguished service of the Harbor Safety Committee of the San Francisco Bay Region reflect the strong support and teamwork of both government and industry. The Committee’s efforts are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of maritime service and industry.