Hunter, Maclean, Exley & Dunn, P.C., our correspondents in Savannah, Georgia, US, have provided us with the following information.

Quote

As you are probably aware, there are now in force as part of post 9/11 security measures United States Coast Guard regulations requiring most vessels calling at U.S. ports to provide USCG with advance notice of arrival information in the form of a written Notice of Arrival (NOA) along with crew, passenger, and cargo details. The NOA must be submitted to the USCG National Vessel Movement Center within specified times prior to arrival in U.S. ports. 33 C.F.R. §160.201.

The purpose of our letter is to bring to your attention, as information, that USCG at Savannah is enforcing the NOA regulations very strictly. Just since the first of this year, USCG at Savannah has brought cases against some nine vessels for NOA violations. USCG enforcement activity has involved withholding permission for ships to enter the port, delaying commencement of vessel cargo operations, withholding clearance, and even interrupting a cargooperation and requiring a ship to vacate the berth and return to sea. Additionally, in each case USCG has required that a Club Letter of Undertaking in the amount of $32,500 be posted on behalf of the vessel.

Based on our conversations with other P&I counsel, it appears the NOA. requirements are being more strictly enforced in Savannah than at other ports in the Southeastern U.S.

Knowing that some of your members likely have vessels which call here, we simply wanted you to be aware that NOA requirements are subject to strict USCG enforcement at the port of Savannah.

Unquote

---

Member Alert is published by The Swedish Club as a service to members. While the information is believed correct, the Club cannot assume responsibility for completeness or accuracy.