HOST MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Thursday, October 18, 2012

INTRODUCTIONS

AGENDA ITEM #1    Call to Order

Robin Bond called the meeting to order.

AGENDA ITEM #1  Panel Discussion on Low Sulfur Fuel Oil Initiative.   CDR Glenn Martineau

The EPA has passed new regulations which became enforceable on August 1, 2012 called the North American Emission Control Area.   The regulation requires ships to switch to 1.0% low sulfur fuel within 200 nautical miles from the shoreline of the mainland US and Canada, SE Alaska and the main Hawaiian Islands.

On the speaker phone was Matt HABER from the EPA Region 9 in San Francisco.   

Chevron’s comments by Jim Bevacqua and Howard Maxie focused on the fact that some ships currently in service are not designed to burn low sulfur fuel.   This means they may not have storage capacity, proper piping and/or proper lubrication for the engines.  EPA said this is a supply issue that lubricity additives can be added.    Chevron does add lubricants but not all companies do.  Also, switching between normal fuels and low sulfur fuels has certain engine risks and possibly even a risk of casualties.    Some engines don’t function properly on low sulfur fuel.    Sometimes engines don’t start up and this could lead to a ship casualty.

Captain Bob Lamb with Matson joined the discussion.   On the low sulfur diesel fuel Matson has had a number of “no starts”.    Now that they are on LSFO (1% sulfur) the ships are running better.   Matson is intending to switch over completely to LSFO. 

This is an IMO treaty that the United States EPA has adopted and the implementation is   still being studied.    It may be a lubricity issue or it could be a BTU issue.

Mr. Charles Toguchi with the NWCCA (North West and Canada Cruise Association) voiced some frustration that the comments from Hawaii regarding the lack of environmental modeling similar to the modeling conducted on the mainland were ignored.    In the face of a lack of modeling and the existence of trade winds in Hawaii, both Hawaii and Alaska asked for an exemption.    The request for modeling as well as the exemption were ignored.

AGENDA ITEM #2  –   Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) Card Renewal Process  –  CDR Glenn Martineau

CDR Martineau reminded people that this is a TSA program that is enforced by the USCG.    Currently you have two options.   You can renew your TWIC for five years following the same process as before.  This costs about $129.75.    The extension is an option that is tied in with the USCG’s initiative to come up with a TWIC card reader.   The three year extension costs $60 dollars.   This is a one time extension.   The intent is for the USCG to have TWIC readers to read the biometrics on the TWIC.   This is to improve the real time security information at locations in the field.   These are not yet in service.

They do not have a phone number but are available on line.   The website is http://www.twicinformation.com/twicinfo/portinfo.jsp?id=1403.     Appointments are recommended but walk-ins are acceptable.  The location for the Oahu center is in Hawaii Kai shopping center next to the Bank of Hawaii, across from Zippys Restaurant.

AGENDA ITEM #3 –  Announcements

·        Robin announced that the HOST Christmas Party will be on December 13, 2012 following the Advisory Board meeting.

No USCG issues.   CDR Gilreath thanked everyone for coming and participating. 

NEXT MEETINGS

Advisory Board Meeting:

November 8, 2012 at 3:00 pm, at the Hawaii Yacht Club located in the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor.

General Membership Meeting:

December 13th, 2012 at  5:00 pm.   This will be the Christmas Party/General Meeting.    It will be held at the Hawaii Yacht Club following the Advisory Board meeting .