Page 60: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (October 1997)

LEGAL UPDATE

INTERTANKO Applauds USCG Final Rules Regarding Under-Keel Clearance For Single Hull Tankers

The Coast Guard (USCG) issued final regulations concerning the under-keel clearance requirements for single hull tank vessels enter- ing or leaving U.S. ports. "These rules are dramatically different than those issued by the

Coast Guard late last year. I applaud the Coast Guards' efforts to revise the regulations to reflect modern watch-keeping and pas- sage planning requirements," said

Dagfinn Lunde, Managing

Director of INTERTANKO.

The regulations provide that the owner and operator of a single hull tanker furnish the master with written under-keel clearance guid- ance. The guidance must include consideration of factors concerning calculation of the ship's draft, anticipated controlling depth, and weather/environmental condi- tions. It also must stipulate under what conditions the owner and operator should be contacted prior to entering port or getting under- way. If no such guidance is provid- ed, a statement to that effect must be provided.

The regulations also require that the master and pilot plan the ship's passage. This passage plan- ning must be discussed by the master and the pilot and must include the ship's planned transit, including the anticipated under- keel clearance. An entry must be made in the official log reflecting this discussion of the ship's antici- pated passage. "The final rule vindicates

INTERTANKO's stance that regu- lations must be both effective and based on sound operating and management experience. We believe that the Coast Guard has taken those steps with this regula- tion," said Richard du Moulin,

Chairman of INTERTANKO and

President of Marine Transport

Lines. The final rule goes into effect on January 21, 1998.

New BIMCO Course

Planned For Ship Agents

Ships Agents — Obligations and

Remedies: A Practical Workshop is the title of the newest BIMCO

Residential course to be held from

November 3-5, 1997, in

Copenhagen.

Designed for ship agency execu- tives, including legal, claims, insurance and accounts personnel, the course offers participants an opportunity to explore the complex issues affecting the agency sector today.

Many maritime industry experts have been invited to speak, including: — Julia Mavropoulos of ITIC, who will introduce attendees to agency law and discuss recurring

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