Some good news if we take advantage of it!
Proposed changes by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that would change long-standing interpretations of rules for vessels transporting specialized equipment used by the offshore oil and gas industry are causing serious concern in the industry.
CaptJoe…
Thank you, thank you and thank you again for posting this. In reading the CPB Policy Letter the whole situation in the GoM is going to get turned upside down. Obviously, the foreign vessel owners will win some concessions but I feel they will be only temporary ones and that the tide is swinging over to the Americans. What a difference an Administration can make!
Can you picture US built, flagged and manned unlimited tonnage pipelayers in the Gulf?
All,
Please write letters of comment for this change of policy:
Comments must be received on or before August 16, 2009.
ADDRESS: Written comments are to be addressed to U.S. Customs
and Border Protection, Office of International Trade, Regulations
and Rulings, Attention: Trade and Commercial Regulations Branch,
799 9th Street, N.W., Mint Annex, Washington, D.C. 20229. Submitted
comments may be inspected at U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
799 9th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., during regular business
hours. Arrangements to inspect submitted comments should be
made in advance by calling Joseph Clark of the Trade and Commercial
Regulations Branch at (202) 325–0118.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa L. Burley, Cargo
Security, Carriers, and Immigration Branch, at (202) 325–0215.
MTSKIER
[quote=c.captain;16337]CaptJoe…
Thank you, thank you and thank you again for posting this. In reading the CPB Policy Letter the whole situation in the GoM is going to get turned upside down. Obviously, the foreign vessel owners will win some concessions but I feel they will be only temporary ones and that the tide is swinging over to the Americans. What a difference an Administration can make!
Can you picture US built, flagged and manned unlimited tonnage pipelayers in the Gulf?[/quote]
I am a realist. It will never happen.
Just sent an e-mail to my representatives and will be mailing a letter to Commandant Allen today regarding this issue. Let’s all do the same and hopefully our voice will be heard.
I’m sorry to say that I don’t believe the US Congress gives one goddamn about this issue…they’ve really all got their heads up their assholes and are more concerned about Obama’s birth certificate authenticity that jobs for American mariners. F’in useless bunch not fit to be toilet brush holders let alone legislators!
The only real hope for this one lies with the Administration…they appear to be starting to take note of this situation and are begining to put pressure on the foreign vessel owners and charterers to comply with the law. That is where I believe now the focus needs to be placed.
Right now there appears to be slow but growing movement by the Admin and I am now hopeful that there will be change.
I’ve posted addresses here before earlier in this thread and can do so again if readers wish.
Capt Joe, I thought you are correct. Yesterday I spoke with a guy in Op’s for a company that does have a couple of foreign flag vessels on charter.
He told me that within the next few weeks a decision is supposed to be made concerning this. But how it was explained to me, foreign flag vessels would still be able to work here, But they would not be allowed to transport cargo to and from port.
He said that this would hamper is company’s operation. So I think something will happen.
Where are the US built, US flagged and US crewed vessels that can do the work offshore that these crane barges/lay vessels can? Most of the US built iron is decades old, and most of their crews are Non US citizens. Even most of the old US built barges are now foriegn flagged.
They’re not here now but they’ll be coming…
Why do you think that Gary Chouest bought Tampa Ship?
And why is that? Because all of these U.S. companies found a way to make the money through joint ventures, offshore shell companies, even brokerage fees, etc., with absolutely no regard for us. Don’t you think that if they had been shut out that they would have been screaming to their political reps about it? But they haven’t been have they?
Personally, I believe that Gary Chouest is the driving force behind all of this as he has not been a party to the sellout to the foreign corporations and any place Gary can see a business opportunity to provide vessels to clients he takes it.
He can build 360’ AHTS’s and icebreakers so why can’t he build a 560’ pipelayer? No reason whatsoever in my mind. Charter that vessel to Allseas or Coflexip for $350k/day and it is paid off in 5 years just like all his other vessels so if the foreign ships are excluded (or at least put at a disadvantage) then he’ll have no trouble at all getting work for his ships.
I’ve said it before, Gary Chouest is the best maritime businessman in US history short of maybe Malcomb McLean but it is a toss up in my opinion.
Another potential major turnaround brought about by this proposed policy change is that the CSO DEEP BLUE or DEEP PIONEER would not be able to use their spool base in Theodore, Alabama anymore since that will be lifting coil pipe off the US and taking it out to the OCS. This coil pipe would now be considered cargo and there is no way for a supply boat to carrry it offshore to the pipelayer so it will in effect shut that operation down and force Coflexip to go overseas to load the coil pipe and bring it back to the Gulf.
very interesting to consider…
[quote=c.captain;16371]
He can build 360’ AHTS’s and icebreakers so why can’t he build a 560’ pipelayer?.[/quote]
[B]Here is another one… http://www.marinelog.com/DOCS/NEWSMMIX/2009jul00240.html[/B]
[quote=c.captain;16372]Another potential major turnaround brought about by this proposed policy change is that the CSO DEEP BLUE or DEEP PIONEER would not be able to use their spool base in Theodore, Alabama anymore since that will be lifting coil pipe off the US and taking it out to the OCS. This coil pipe would now be considered cargo and there is no way for a supply boat to carrry it offshore to the pipelayer so it will in effect shut that operation down and force Coflexip to go overseas to load the coil pipe and bring it back to the Gulf.
very interesting to consider…[/quote]
Remember that Mexico is not so far away, and the labor there is cheap. They could probably pick up around Campeche somewhere and not increase costs so very much. Just a few hours steaming.
Also if Cuba sells their drilling rights to Russia, they will be over here in droves
S.
I thought this was a really interesting article.
It was the Revenuers that brought down Al Capone as well.
Sad, that the IRS might provide the paperwork that the CG/DOT/HLS haven’t bothered to get and may provide jobs relief - someday.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
You have many good intentions on keeping U.S. jobs for U.S. citizens, but what are your feelings on the vast number of OUR vessels we operate overseas in West Africa, Brazil, Venezuela, etc.? Tidewater, Laborde, Seacor and many others operate U.S. vessels in foreign waters with U.S crews. Do you feel what you are asking is somewhat of a double standard? There are probably some folks in those countries with the same feelings you have. I would like to protect as many jobs as you would. But aren’t we committing the same actions?
Every person working aboard any vessel, be it foreign or domestic, is just trying to feed their family.
have “delivered” quite a few US vessels for contract work in other countries…it is my experience that everyone on the delivery crew gets off with the exception of the US captian and sometimes the engineer and then a “homegrown” crew is used while the vessels works in that country…would love to see that same requirement applied to non-US flag vessels working US waters.
[quote=rjbpilot;21700]Ladies and Gentlemen,
Every person working aboard any vessel, be it foreign or domestic, is just trying to feed their family.[/quote]
sorry…there is nothing ladylike or gentlemanly about it…it is “primal” that you “starve” before I do…those that think there is anything “civilized” about the society in which we live are woefully deluded…it is indeed a “jungle” out there…wish it were not so!!