Page 21: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2002)

Government Update locations when they arrive in U.S. ports.

To date, the following have agreed to participate in the CSI program: Canada,

Singapore, Netherlands, Belgium,

France, Germany, Hong Kong, and

Japan. The European Commission (EC) and others have been critical of CSI as potentially providing participating ports with an unfair competitive over smaller, non-participating ports.

INS Initiatives

In addition to the NSEERS program described above, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has begun issuing 'detain on board' orders relating to alien crew members whom the agency believes may present a secu- rity risk to the United States or whom the agency believes may not depart with the vessel when it leaves port. Issuance of a 'detain on board' order was a rare occurrence prior to the terrorist attacks.

Now, it is quite common, particularly for certain U.S. ports on Gulf of Mexi- co. At times, issuance of a 'detain on board' order has many similarities to lightning — one often doesn't know when and where it will strike. A ship making port calls in different ports, but with the same crew, has sometimes been issued such an order in one port, but not another. 'Detain on board' orders have been issued up to 24 hours after the ship arrives. Masters have been refused per- mission to fly 'suspect' crewmembers out of the country. The INS refuses to disclose, even in general terms, what triggers a 'detain on board' order. If such information were disclosed, vessel owners and operators could reduce the risk that is apparently being presented to

U.S. homeland security by the presence of these suspect crewmembers. Contro- versy over this policy continues.

The INS has also ceased granting rou- tine waivers for seafarers to come ashore without all required documents.

In many countries (and, previously, in the United States), seafarers were allowed shore leave and other privileges without the formality of passports and visas. That is no longer the situation in the U.S. A foreign seafarer without a valid passport and a current U.S. visa (either a personal visa or by being included on a crew list visa) is no longer allowed ashore in the U.S. except for urgent medical care. At the same time, the U.S. Department of State is propos- ing to eliminate the crew list visa and has increased the processing fee for a nonimmigrant visa to $100 (from the prior fee of $65). For a variety of rea-

November, 2002 sons, processing time for U.S. visa applications in many consulates around the world has increased to two months and more. These developments have effectively made U.S. visas out of reach for many seafarers, particularly those from third world nations. The Seamen's

Church Institute and other seamen wel- fare groups have complained about the adverse impact these initiatives have on morale of crewmembers.

Initially, the U.S. Coast Guard was assisting, in an ad hoc manner, with enforcement of the 'detain on board' orders. Recently, the two agencies have developed a Standard Operating Proce- dure (SOP) whereby the Coast Guard will issue a Captain of the Port (COTP)

Order requiring a vessel for which a 'detain on board' order has been issued to remain outside the three-mile limit

Maneuver.. .Propel.. .Position

Tunnel Thrusters 100 to 2000 HP

Harbormaster thrusters and outdrives are found around the world in ships, boats and barges where economical performance is required.

For unassisted maneuvering in tight quarters. For easily-moved, deck-mounted propulsion.

For critical dynamic positioning.

For precision vessel control.

Harbormaster Marine products are designed to customer specification and built with utmost care and highest quality.

They provide years of durable service and are backed by a reliable support system.

Fast world-wide support!

If you operate a Harbormaster or

Murray & Tregurtha product anywhere in the world, we can provide spare parts and on-site field service. Call us first!

Outboard and through- the-hull azimuthing drives 50 to 1500 HP

Harbormaster

Harbormaster Marine, Inc. 31777 Industrial Road

Livonia, Ml 48150 USA (734) 425-1080 Fax (734) 425-1850

Website: http://www.harbormastermarine.com

Circle 256 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com

Innovative Shipyard Tools Reduce

Staging And Fit-Up Time!

Ship Fit Tools is a remarkable new line of Specialty Tools designed specifically to aid the Ship Fitter with material handling and fit-up.

Ship Fit Tools are designed to facilitate the work of a plate fitter in ship building and steel fabrication. If staging and fit up work are a bottleneck in your yard, then there maybe a Ship Fit Tool to help you.

The Pul-Ton is a tool that converts the pushing force of a jack into a pulling force for joining large hull sections. Up to 25 ton capacity per jack.

The Bulb-Align a tool for aligning Holland Bulb Profile

Stiffners when joining panel sections.

The Bulb-Mov-R is a gripper for handling Holland Bulb

Profile Stiffners. 1.5, 3 and 5 ton models.

The Pul-Jak is a ratcheting jack for pushing or pulling bulkheads, frames and hull sections. 7, 12 and 20 ton models are available.

Ship Fit

Tools

Distributed by:

Weld Tooling

Corporation 3001 West Carson Street

Pittsburgh, PA USA15204-1899

Phone: 1-412-331-1776 1-800-245-3186

Fax: 1-412-331-0383 http://www.bugo.com <=X C€

Circle 223 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com 21