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Issue 1/07, for the January to March 2007 quarter.
Also available as images identical to the printed version (760kb total), or in Microsoft Publisher format (2.2Mb)
Vessel and Company Security IMO's MSC.1/Circ.1217 dated 14 December 2006 contains guidance on self-assessment for Companies and Company Security Officers regarding implementation, maintenance, and compliance with the requirements of SOLAS, Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code. This is a voluntary self-assessment tool. Have you found it useful?
“Magic Pipes”, Falsifying Records, and Illegal Discharge of Oil and Oil ResiduesAs we were preparing this UPDATE we read again in just today’s press (January 30, 2007) of two cases where the owners and seafarers of the non-Vanuatu flagged vessels Sun New and the Irene Em were prosecuted for illegally falsifying records and discharging oil overboard using, in one case at least, a “magic pipe.” The penalties were severe including imprisonment for officers on the Irene Em and huge fines were imposed on both owners. Vanuatu does not condone illegal operations and will take strong action against any vessel, including any fishing vessel, or any seafarer who violates the provisions of MARPOL whether they have falsified records or illegally discharged oil or oil residues overboard. Penalties will include fines, loss of license, suspension or deletion of the vessel, and imprisonment, if found guilty in a Vanuatu court of law. See another story on illegal discharges below: P&O Sludge Discharge.
Fleet / Safety Letter 07088.GENThe “BEGINNING OF THE YEAR SAFETY LETTER11” was released on January 12. See it here.
Where Are Our Interns Now? We recently received a US Marine Corps TBS graduation announcement for Andrew Bohn who was commissioned as a second lieutenant in December 2006. Andrew worked for VMSL as an intern for a short time while attending California Maritime Academy. After graduation as a deck officer with a bachelor’s degree, Andrew shipped out before joining the Marines. We are very proud of Andrew and our other recent interns. We update their status here:
- Jenelle Guevara – graduated from SUNY Maritime with a bachelor’s degree. She is currently working towards her master’s degree in international transportation while working on the soybeans futures desk at the Japanese sogo shosha Mitsui. She expects to obtain her master’s degree in May.
- Shakur Haji – an ex-engineering officer for Mobil, Shakur worked with VMSL while studying for his master’s degree at SUNY Maritime. He was hired after graduation by Archer Daniels Midland and moved his family from India to fragrant Decatur, Illinois. He runs a fleet of ships for ADM used in the commodity trades.
- Danny Kang -- another SUNY Maritime graduate, obtained his engineering degree & license and was sailing as an engineer aboard US flag vessels, but we have lost touch with him recently. Danny, where are you?
Website Now Contains Time Estimates For Processing DocumentsProcessing seafarer applications is not seasonally cyclical, but at times we get overloaded with applications: the first and second quarters of 2006 are good examples. At other times there are fewer applications coming in: the summer holidays is an example. Either way, we are often asked about application processing times. So we recently added a “box” to the website homepage with estimates of processing times for seafarer applications, registrations, etc. This is updated weekly. Currently, with the recent influx of applications, processing time is about 20 business days. So plan accordingly. This could be the beginning of a 5 year cycle, considering the original STCW 95 start date.
 International Workboat Show / CMA Shipping 2007
It was great to see so many friends at the IWBS in New Orleans last month. Thanks to all for stopping by the booth. Now you can look for us at Booth 91 at CMA Shipping 2007 on March 19-21, 2007.
Electronic Information CD In the last Update we announced a special prize to be awarded to those who could identify the classical music in the background on the new information CD, and the actress who played in the 1979 movie which featured the music. Congratulations to Corey Denning of North Bank for being the first recipient. It turns out he trained for the triathlon listening to Ravel’s Bolero and has been infatuated with Bo Derek and “10” all his life.
P&O Sludge DischargeP&O’s Managing Director personally visited Vanuatu to assure the country that the sludge recently discharged ashore in Port Vila by one of its cruise liners was an unauthorised error which P&O is rectifying by removing and cleaning up the discharge at its cost. Why the request to discharge was made and why it was approved remains shrouded in a mystery as dense as the discharged sludge.
New Technical School Australia has announced the launch of a new technical college in Port Vila to cost approximately A$150 million. In addition, Australia will provide up to a further A$10 million to send students to other countries for technical training unavailable in Vanuatu. The new college will train students to Australian standards in tourism, health, automotive maintenance, manufacturing and construction/electrical fields. The proposed Austral-Pacific Technical College will supplement the existing Vanuatu Institute of Technology which currently trains students in the above disciplines.
Reserve Bank of VanuatuThe Reserve Bank has announced foreign reserves equal to 8.1 months of imports, an all-time high for Vanuatu, reflecting the recent high level of direct investment into the country. This is a strong economic indicator. The bank also announced its maiden dividend to the Vanuatu government of 53 million vatu, another positive sign.
European Union Provides Budget SupportThe EU has provided 100 million vatu in budgetary support in recognition of the government’s positive reform program as well as its efforts in applying strict rules and conditions to ensure proper budgetary controls and a high standard of public finance management. Vanuatu was described as unique in the region by its EU Ambassador.
Vanuatu to Open its SkiesA bill to ratify the new Pacific Islands Air Services Agreement has been passed by Parliament. The idea was first introduced in 2003 and slowly the various Pacific island countries have been formally adopting this as national policy. Telecommunications ServiceThe Vanuatu government has issued licenses #3 and #4 to two mobile communications companies conditional upon the licensees providing services not presently available from the monopoly licensee, Telecom Vanuatu Limited (TVL), in areas not serviced by TVL and at rates cheaper than TVL. For certain, competition is coming to the Vanuatu telecommunications industry. New Land Taxes; Import Duty Increases Cause Local Concern Recent actions by the Government have caused quite some concern: - The Government gazetted an Amendment Act passed in 2004 which dramatically increases the cost of land purchases, imposing a 35% tax on new sub-division leases; up to 18% payment to custom owners on rural land; and an annual 1% tax on the market value of all rural titles. None of these taxes/fees previously existed.
- Parliament has substantially increased import duty on alcohol, small engine cars and some basic food items. This may raise substantial additional revenue but will be a heavy burden for the local residents.
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