Welcome to the inaugural edition of Meridian Global Consulting's quarterly Newsletter.
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Since our establishment in 2009, Meridian has been known as a high-quality organization that goes the extra mile to meet client expectations. The name “Wilco” reflects our values and commitment to those we serve.
In every edition of our quarterly newsletter, we will strive to provide information that facility and vessel operators can use to ensure operational readiness and regulatory compliance. We welcome any feedback or suggestions for improvement.
Jonathan McConnell President Meridian Global Consulting
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On March 13, we welcomed a new addition to the Meridian Leadership Team. Captain Hung Nguyen, U.S. Coast Guard (retired) has over 30 years in promoting regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
Captain Nguyen successfully led the implementation of the International Safety Management Code, the Maritime Transportation Security Act, and the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.
As a Co-chairman of the Joint Department of the Homeland Security and the Department of the Interior Deepwater Horizon Casualty Investigation, he identified many safety improvement recommendations that have been enacted by the U.S. Coast Guard and the International Maritime Organization. As Vice President, Regulations, he will assist our clients with operational risk management and ensuring the effectiveness of their safety and environmental management systems.
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New Mobile ICS App - At Meridian, our goal is to provide our clients with scalable, cost-effective solution. Recently, we developed several mobile applications to facilitate Incident Command System (ICS) meetings and to support effective execution of key position responsibilities.
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Response Exercise – Anchorage, AK
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Executive Protection - Mexico
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In November 2016, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) began a stakeholder outreach effort to improve its Spill Response Exercise Program. Based on the input received, ADEC is developing a Response Exercise framework and scope. ADEC will host a Public Workshop in Anchorage on April 18th at Alaska Pacific University’s Atwood Dining Hall. The workshop will begin at 9 AM.
Meridian anticipates significant changes to the current ADEC engagement protocols. Jeremy Michels, our Vice President, Response Services, will be at the workshop and available to answer questions regarding on Meridian’s Response Services. Jeremy may be contacted at (832) 808-9971 or
jmichels@meridian.us
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January 1: IMO Polar Code entered into force, adding pollution protections against oil, noxious liquid substances, sewage, and garbage.
January 18: the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued the National Cyber Incident Response Plan, defining the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, including the private sector.
January 23: the US Coast Guard proposes to amend the monetary property damage threshold amounts for reporting a marine casualty (from $25,000 to $72,000) and for reporting a serious marine incident (from $100,000 to $200,000).
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January 5: a fire occurred on a platform located in the Gulf of Mexico about 80 miles southwest of Grand Isle, Louisiana. The four persons on board were evacuated by life raft and were recovered by an oilfield supply vessel.
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March 14: the oil tanker Aris 13 was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia. On March 17, the vessel and crew were released. This is the first successful hijacking of a commercial vessel by Somali pirates since 2012.
March 27: the U.S. Maritime Administration issued an advisory recommending that US-flag commercial vessels avoid entering or loitering near Yemen’s Red Sea ports and that vessels transiting the area exercise special vigilance.
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January 17: the U.S. Coast Guard issued a bulletin, stating that cybersecurity activities that may result in a transportation security incident must, without delay, be reported to the National Response Center.
February 3: the US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that the minimum random drug testing rate for covered crew members for calendar year 2017 is 25%.
February 23: the U.S. Department of Justice ordered a company to pay $9.5 million for false reporting of safety inspections and Clean Water Act violations following a 2012 explosion on an offshore facility in the Gulf of Mexico.
February 23: the US Coast Guard detained two bulk carriers on the Columbia River after port state control inspectors discovered substandard safety conditions on board. On one vessel, Coast Guard inspectors found the fixed fire extinguishing system was improperly serviced, with the time delays left disconnected. On the other, inspectors found cooling water leaking from the main engine and multiple issues with the vessel's steering system.
March 6: the U.S. Coast Guard Eighth District issued Cybersecurity Guidance for FSO/CSO/OGAs to provide further understanding of cybersecurity and how it relates to the maritime nexus.
March 23, Australia 2016 Port State Control – Top 5 detainable deficiencies
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Alleged Criminal Activity On Board Cruise Vessels
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Cybersecurity Incident Reporting Requirements
- If a Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) regulated entity experiences suspicious activity (SA), breaches of security (BoS) or a situation that could result in a Transportation Security Incident that is cyber-related only, it is required to report to the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) at 888-282-0870. Ensure to state to the NCCIC that they are a MTSA regulated entity in order to satisfy the reporting requirements of 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 101.305.
- If the cyber-related SA, BoS or situation that could result in a TSI has another effect, (e.g., overtaking badge system), the report must be made to the National Response Center (NRC) at 800-424-8802.
- When in doubt, the MTSA regulated entity is advised to make the report directly to the NRC; the NRC will notify the NCCIC as appropriate.
- All non-cyber related incidents should continue to be reported to the NRC.
- A MTSA regulated entity reporting to a local Captain of the Port DOES NOT satisfy the reporting requirement of 33 CFR 101.305.
Source: U.S. Coast Guard Eighth District Cybersecurity Guidance for FSO/CSO/OGAs
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PARTNERSHIPS IN LATIN AMERICA
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Meridian strives to serve our clients globally. We have recently formed strategic partnerships in Latin America to provide car service, executive protection, due diligence, threat and vulnerability assessments, and journey management. These partnerships allow Meridian to effectively respond immediately to our client’s needs that operate in Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana and Argentina. If your company operates in Latin America we have you covered. Please contact Ryan Evans directly for more information +1 (832) 444-3597 or
revans@meridian.com.
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Ryan Evans, Meridian’s Vice President of Corporate and Regulatory Security, hosts the Texas Music Throwdown annually – Held April 8th in The Woodlands, 100% of the funds raised from the benefit concert are donated to Heroes on the Water, a non-profit organization that helps wounded veterans reintegrate after deployment. To date, Ryan Evans and his team have raised over $300,000.00 for Heroes on the Water.
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Ryan Evans
Vice President, Corporate & Regulatory Security
(832) 444-3597 or
revan@meridian.us
Captain Hung Nguyen
Vice President, Regulations
(808) 282-4981 or
hnguyen@meridian.us
24/7 Emergency Response: +1 (888) 219‐6412
E‐mail: ops@meridian.us
Homepage:
www.meridian.us
Main Office: 812 Downtowner Blvd Suite A
Mobile, Alabama 36609
Other Locations: Louisiana, Montana, Texas
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