Searsport Shipping News 2017. Aug. 22 - 30, 2017

Shipping news, Aug. 22 - 30

Aug 30, 2017

0

Photo by: Ethan AndrewsIrving Oil tanker Great Eastern passes under the Penobscot Narrows Bridge Aug. 29 on its way from Searsport to Bucksport.

Aug. 25

Genesis Liberty, a tug owned and operated by Genesis Energy, arrived with a fuel barge at Searsport, coming from New York, via Portland. Type of fuel unknown.

Aug. 28

Great Eastern, a 600-foot Irving Oil tanker, arrived in Searsport from Saint John, New Brunswick. The next day, it traveled up the Penobscot River to Bucksport and departed Aug. 30 for Portland.

It was a quiet week for commercial shipping traffic in the Midcoast. So we checked in on a few ships that visited Mack Point since we launched this column in July.

Falcon Nostos, an oil tanker that delivered to Searsport July 9, traveled far north to Baker Lake in Nunavut Province of Canada. On the return trip south, it made a brief stop in St. John's, Newfoundland, then continued directly to the Gulf of Mexico. On Aug. 30, it was in ballast (empty), headed for Corpus Christi, Texas.

Tanja, a bulk carrier of unknown cargo at Mack Point July 29, stopped in South Portland and Grand Anse, New Brunswick, before heading south to Vila do Conde, Brazil. On  Aug. 30, it was laden (carrying cargo), anchored at the east end of the Panama Canal.

Clipper Tarpon, a cargo ship that delivered wind turbine components for Canton Mountain Wind in Western Maine July 16, crossed the Atlantic, and after a long layover in the Canary Islands, traveled to Koper, Slovenia, then through the Suez Canal to the Indian Ocean, where it made an overnight stop at the port of Colombo, Sri Lanka. On Aug. 30, it continued in ballast (empty), headed for Adelaide, Australia.

Shipping news is compiled by Republican Journal reporter Ethan Andrews using automatic identification system (AIS) data from marinetraffic.com and direct observation at local ports.

Where do the ships go after visiting Searsport? JS Yangtse delivered salt here in July, then traveled to Norfolk, Va. before heading across the Atlantic. On Aug. 29, it was in the Mediterranean Sea, headed for Savona, Italy. (Photo by: Ethan Andrews)

Related Stories: 
 Shipping news, Aug. 15 - 22 Shipping news Aug. 2 - 14 Shipping news, July 21 - Aug. 1 Mack Point shipping news, July 9-16

Searsport Shipping News 2017. , Aug. 15 - 22, 2017

Shipping news, Aug. 15 - 22

Aug 24, 2017

0

Photo by: Ethan AndrewsIrving Oil tanker Great Eastern at Mack Point cargo terminal in Searsport Aug. 19.

Aug. 16

Torenia, a 620-foot bulk carrier, departed Mack Point for Norfolk, Va., after delivering road salt.

Aug. 18

Great Eastern, a 600-foot Irving Oil tanker, arrived at Mack Point from Saint John, New Brunswick, and departed early Aug. 20 for Boston.

Aug. 19

Denali, a Kirby Corp. tugboat, arrived in Bucksport from Delaware City, Del., pushing a fuel barge. It departed late Aug. 20 for New York.

Aug. 20

Chemical Pioneer, a 660-foot chemical tanker, returned to Mack Point via Jacksonville, Fla. The tanker last visited Searsport July 23, then traveled south to New York, New Jersey, Port Charles, La., Houston, and finally hit Jacksonville on the way back to Maine. It departed Mack Point Aug. 21 for New York.

Shipping news is compiled by Republican Journal reporter Ethan Andrews using automatic identification system (AIS) data from marinetraffic.com and direct observation at local ports.

Tugboat Denali enters Bucksport Harbor, pushing a fuel barge Aug. 19. (Photo by: Ethan Andrews)

Chemical Pioneer, a 660-foot chemical tanker passes Temple Heights in Northport Aug. 21, leaving Penobscot Bay after an overnight stop in Searsport. (Photo by: Ethan Andrews)

Related Stories: 
 Shipping news, Aug. 22 - 30 Shipping news Aug. 2 - 14 Shipping news, July 21 - Aug. 1 Mack Point shipping news, July 9-16

Maine land-based salmon farming. Business, State and federal officials involved

INDUSTRY Contacts

Nordic Aquafarms

Erik Heim, CEO Nordic Aquafarms, Inc.    erik.heim@nordicaquafarms.com

Public affairs Ted O’Meara  ted@tedomearacommunications.com 

+47 900 74 907 (207) 653-2392

Whole Oceans    

Robert Piaiso CEO (207) 747-1400

Ben Willauer CDO bwillauer@wholeoceans.com

Jennifer Fortier Outreach & Development Associate (207) 747-1400

Bill Taylor of Pierce Atwood 207) 791-1100 WO's Attorney  

STATE 

Maine DEP Gregg Wood  Gregg.Wood@maine.gov

* General Application Form for Waste Discharge Permit

* Fish Rearing Facilities

*Food Processing Facilities

* Outfall Application Form

Inland Fish & Wildlife ?  Bureau of Resource Mgmt  (207) 287-8000

DMR Jon Lewis Aquaculture Div dir jon.lewis@maine.gov 633-9594              Maine Coastal Program Kathleen Leyden. kathleen.leyden@maine.gov             287-3144 cell: 557-4014

* Agriculture  Conservation and Forestry Michele Walsh, Maine State Veterinarian Michele.walsh@maine.gov; (207) 287-7615

http://www.maine.gov/dacf/ahw/animal_health/landbased-aquaculture.shtml

FEDS  

* Army Corps of Engineers  - 2 staff

Nordic Peter Tischbein.623-8367 ext 3 Peter.Tischbein@usace.army.mil

Whole Oceans Shawn Mahaney .623-8367   shawn.b.mahaney@usace.army.mil

* EPA  Danielle Gaito (gaito.danielle@epa.gov) (617) 918-1297

*NMFS   Max Tritt  Fishery Biologist for Maine Atlantic Salmon.

207-866-7322. max.tritt@noaa.gov

* US FWS Wende Mahaney Wende_Mahaney@fws.gov
(207) 902-1569    Maine Field office

Land-based salmon farming in Maine - how oversight went from DMR to DACF

On November 11, 2017, Maine PUBLIC LAW 2017 CHAPTER 94 came into effect.
Titled  An Act To Transfer Responsibility for Licensing of Landbased Aquaculture from the Department of Marine Resources to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry"  It describes the authority for the transfer to the land agriculture agency and how it will decide how safe these are.

Says Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry will deny land based salmon aquaculture licenses, if  either DMR or IFW informs DACF  "that the aquaculture activity presents an unreasonable risk to indigenous marine or freshwater life or its environment."  Sounds like a strongish standard (no "unreasonable risk"), but only as strong as the information that the agencies have to determine its reasonableness or unreasonableness. Given tthis is new hitherto unused technology, it won't be easy.

Text of Public Law 2017 Ch 94 Law: 
(Sentences separated for ease of reading)

"Transfers authority for the licensing of land-based aquaculture from the Department of Marine Resources and Inland Fisheries & Wildlife to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. 

"The Commissioner of DACF shall refuse to issue a license if the Commissioner receives information from the Commissioner of either DMR or DIFW that the aquaculture activity presents an unreasonable risk to indigenous marine or freshwater life or its environment. 

"The risk factors that DMR and DIFW shall consider include but are not limited to: risk of accidental or intentional introduction of marine or freshwater organisms, or organism products, into the waters of the State, risk of the introduction or spread of disease within the State and interference with the enforcement of possession, size or season limits for wild marine or freshwater organisms. 
"
The Commissioner of DACF shall monitor licensed facilities annually and if there are risks noted such as listed above the Commissioner shall notify DIFW and DMR"

(End )

Rocklanders crash 6/27/16 harbor commission/cruiseship industry meeting, take part. AUDIO MP3s

 On June 27, 2018, a dozen people, including two journalists, ignored  postings by Rockland

Harbormaster Matt Ripley and City Manager Tom Luttrell claiming that a meeting  of city and state officials, held in the harbormaster's office 8 am  was not open to the public. 

Citing the Maine Open Meetings  Law, they attended anyway. The meeting  featured briefings by Amy Powers of MaineCruisePro and Cruise Lines International public relations VP Mike McGarry,  followed by  lengthy questions and answers sessions in which the uninvited-but- there-anyway public participated and networked with the other participants.

0. At request of Amy Powers,all attendees  including puiblic introduce selves 1min15sec.

1. Introduction 1 Tom Luttrell. Rockland city manager 37 seconds

2. Introduction 2 Amy Powers 3min 33sec.

3 Michael McGarry Cruiselines International VP Govt & Public relations 2min 55sec

4. Questions and Answers 

Q&A 1. 8 min 32sec

Q&A 2  10 min 35 sec

Q&A 3   7 min 57sec

Q&A 4  11min 38sec

Q&A 5   7min

Q&A  6. 8min 31sec

Q&A  7 to meeting end 8 min 18sec

2018 A Likely Scenario During a Future Winter i New England.   Examining a new report on Maine's power grid performance  from December 24, 2017 to January 8, 2018. 2017 OPINION:The story of a windmill. By Dale Landrith Sr. | Jun 29, 2017 2015 AUDIO September 22, 2015 selectboard discussion  .  Is Camden Energy Committee being revived? 22 min mp3 July 28, 2015. Appointing new energy committee 11min mp3 July 14, 2015 Wind supporters critique opposition 18min mp3 VIDEOJuly 14, 2015 *&*July 28, 2015 Camden Selectboard meetings where forming a new Energy Committee came up: WHO WE ARE ***MEETINGS & EVENTS Want to get involved? Write us! ** Attend an Energy Committee meeting. Reports *** Archive *** Ragged Mountain news Ragged Mountain on the Web *** LINKS *** PHOTOS EXISTING WIND ORDINANCES IN MAINE

Rockland tiny houses subcommittee

The complete June 1, 2018  "tiny homes" discussion held by a  Rockland city housing committee  

Note: Intro includes scheduling for next meeting

Part 0. Introductions. 6min 38sec

Part 1 15min 40sec 

Part 2 10min 28sec

Part 3. 10min 52sec

Part 4. 9min 38sec

Part 5  7min 48sec

Part 6 (to end) 11min 22 sec

Attendees

* Lisa Westkaemper head of committee 

* Allison Han aka Allie  Nurse

* Tom Marshall - also on Comps and ZBA and County Budget Committee

* Marcel Valliere planning board member 

* Tia Anderson Hab Humanity  architectural planning

* Sam Radley Harbor Mgmt Comm rehabbed houses for less than 100K sales

* Radley wife same stuff as Sam

* Ron Huber WRFR & FOPB

Bipartisan support for Maine Public Bank at May 21, 2018 Midcoast Clean Elections Candidates Forum.. 7minute audio Q&A.

Midcoast Maine Clean Elections candidates unanimously support a Maine State Bank.
Listen at the link below

Simmons, Doudera, Ringelstein, Matlack,Miramant,Evangelos, Pleuker, O'Brien

On May 21st, seven Clean Elections candidates took part in a forum at Watts Hall in Thomaston. Among the questions raised, Randall Parr of Appleton asked the candidates for their position on the proposed Maine State Bank.  All candidates expressed support.  In 2017, Dave Miramant sponsored LD 237 An Act To Establish a State Bank which failed  in the Maine legislature's Committee on Insurance and Financial Services

Click here to listen to Parr's question and their responses 

Candidates in order of statements

*Bill Pleuker, House, Warren, Appleton, Hope, Union

*Jeff Evangelos, (former representative) Friendship, Waldoboro,
Washington, Union.

*Dave Miramant, State Senate (Incumbent) Knox County.

* Ann Matlack, House, St George, South Thomaston, Thomaston,

* Zak Ringelstein, US Senate.

* Vicky Doudera, House,  Camden, Rockport.

*Abden Simmons, House, Friendship, Waldoboro,Washington, Union, (Incumbent)

Parr is a member of Maine Public Banking Coalition, and  author of   Occupying a new Maine Economy. The coalition has worked to establish a Maine State Bank.

Candidates:

Matlack

Pluecker

Evangelos

Miramant

Simmons

Doudera

Ringelstein

Rockland Harbor Mgmt Commission meeting 4/24/18 AUDIO

On April 24, 2018, the Rockland Harbor Commission met in the city council chamber to discuss maintenance of the municipal fish pier,  review the SHIP/YS meeting, a petition relating to the anchorage plan, a new initiative for a cruise ship moratorium - and more!

1. Introduction 86sec

2. Fish Pier Report 3min 10sec

3. SHIP & petitions  6min 3sec

4. Harbor news: wider dock at south end boat ramp, Harbor pk docks FRAMM visit 4min 35sec

5. Cruise Ships Moratorium Pt 1  8min 32sec

6. Cruise Ships Moratorium Part 2 10min 25sec

7 Cruise ships Moratorium Part 3. 10min 30sec

8 Cruise ships moratorium Part4 10min 51sec  (fixed)

9 Cruise ship moratorium part 5

10. Cruise ship moratorium part 6  12min

11 Discussion of unnamed backers of moratorium; SHIP's inclusion in harbor planning.  10min 50sec

12   Middle Pier baked goods seller applicant John McGuire, to meeting end   13min 20sec

Nordic Aquafarms gets Belfast zoning change approved over objections of citizenry

Despite overwhelming community opposition at the 4/17/18 public hearing (listen below), Belfast's city council approved changing a protected drinking water forest into an industrial zone, so that Nordic Aquafarms could pursue its application process in state, federal, and municipal venues.  Listen to speakers at Nordic's 2/ 21/18 public meeting

1 Intro_Mayor Paradis 1min49sec

2 Matthew Scalla_1min45sec.

3_Barbara Maria_2min52sec\

4_Paul Bernacki_3min50sec.

5_George Mendel_2min15sec.

6_Deb Capwell_3min

7_John Krueger_Northport_3min.

8_Joanna Mosswilde_3min10sec.

9_Ellie Daniels_3min10sec

10_Ernie Cooper_1min20sec

11_Jim_Merkel_3min.

12_Jan_Dodge_2min10sec

13_Dorothy O'Dell_2min45sec

14_Jeff_Flimlin of Rutgers_3min2sec.

15_Jackie Curtis 3min13sec

16_Dirk Faegre 2min47sec

17_Wendy Watson 3min13sec

18 Natalie Charles_1min34sec

19  Theodore Weaver 2min27sec

20 Katherine Robin_3min

21 Tom King 3min9sec.

22 Steve Ryan 2min50sec

23 Donna Broderick 3min12sec

Chart from earlier meeting

24_Ridgely Fuller 3min7sec

25 Lane Fisher 2min40sec

26 Sid Block 2min45sec

27 Elizabeth Chase 3min

28 Paul Carlson 3min17sec.

New England coastlines as juvenile cod habitat

On January 3, 2018, the New England Fishery Management Council designated new Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC)for inshore jvenile cod. NOAA  feature article on the HAPC  * **   NOAA's HAPC  IJAC Habitat types defined w/photos (pdf)

The HAPC applies to areas of gravelly, rocky or vegetated habitats and adjacent sandy areas in coastal waters from Maine to Rhode Island, from the high tide line out to the 20 meters depth contour.

INTERTIDAL HAPC HABITATS

1. Pebble-gravel pavement (left) and cobble/boulder pavement with macroalgae (right)

2. Cobble/boulder pavement (not including groin). 

3. Cobble/boulder pavement (borderline “scattered”). 

4. Scattered cobble boulders

5. Pebble-gravel pavement (bottom), scattered cobble left, sand and pebble-gravel (top).

SUBTIDAL HAPC HABITATS                        6. Pebble-gravel pavement

7. Scattered boulders/cobble, but underlying pebble-gravel pavement.

8. Scattered” boulders, with underlying pebble-gravel pavement.

9. “Scattered” boulders/cobble and pebble-gravel patches. 

10. Pebble-gravel pavement (middle), mixed gravel right-top and left-bottom. 

Defined as pavement unless sampling determines less than 10% pebble-gravel content.

11. Pebble-gravel and cobble pavement area.

12. Sand with low percentage pebble-gravel content. 

LAND BASED IMPACTS

2016  NEFMC List of adverse impacts to these shallow waters.

Inshore juvenile atlantic cod habitat area defined

NEFMC staff infolved with HAPCs 

Michelle Bachman (lead)NEFMC fishery analyst  mbachman@nefmc.org   978/465-0492 ext 120

*  Andy Applegate (asst) NEFMC Ecosystem based fishery management   (978) 465-0492 (ext. 114)  email: aapplegate@nefmc.org

While not rare in the Gulf of Maine, these habitats need special protection for three reasons:
* They provide young-of-the-year and year-old cod shelter from predators and important feeding habitat.
* They are particularly sensitive to human activities.
* They are also important habitats for many other fish.

These places need to be located and documented so that govt decisionmakers can block would-be coastal development projects that would send sending polluted runoff and silt into these areas. Join a mapping team this spring and summer!