I had the opportunity to listen to Justice Stephen Breyer of the U.S. Supreme Court lecture tonight on judicial independence. He was in Hawaii (for his first time ever) as a Jurist-in-Residence at the University of Hawaii Law School. His presentation was all-too brief but the lecture (held at the Hawaii Supreme Court) was quite
Another Somali Pirate Victim?
By Mark M. Murakami on
MaritimeTerrorism.com reports another Somali-linked piracy incident near the Gulf of Aden, this time of a Russian tugboat.
Declare Value of Your Packages – Else COGSA Caps Damages
By Mark M. Murakami on
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals recently held that the Carriage of Goods at Sea Act ("COGSA"), 46 U.S.C. 30701, means what it says when it caps carrier liability at $500 per package.
In Maersk Lines v. USA, the United States government arranged to ship aircraft cargo loaders from Charleston to Oman. Maersk shipped…
Management Challenges at Homeland Security? Inspector General Issues Report
By Mark M. Murakami on
The Department of Homeland Security Inspector General just issued a report on "Major Management Challenges".
Among the challenges facing the Department are disaster response, border security, transportation security, financial management, and acquisition management. FEMA and Katrina get some attention. The Coast Guard and Deepwater do too.
Cosco Busan Preliminary Investigation Released
By Mark M. Murakami on
The Coast Guard released its preliminary investigation into the response to the Cosco Busan oil spill today, as promised in my earlier post, here.
It is a lengthy report prepared by a committee of various federal, state and non-governmental organization representatives. Interesting to note that the committee found that owing to the reduction of…
Cruising to the Mainland – Mexico Stop – Part Cuatro
By Mark M. Murakami on
GAO Identifies Security Concerns for Foreign Ports
By Mark M. Murakami on
The GAO recently released its report on container security in foreign ports. Lots of information and analysis here to digest, but troubling was its not-so-subtle comment, "We still see room for improvement."
Congress Holds Hearings on TWIC Implementation
By Mark M. Murakami on
Congress held hearings this week on TWIC implementation.
The Statement of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair is here. The Chair of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, here. Coast Guard Admiral Salerno, here. TWIC Program Manager for the Transportation Security Administration, here. TWIC implementation contractor’s representative, here. And
New Taxes on Exports in the Works?
By Mark M. Murakami on
A California Congressman issued a press release discussing a new bill (unavailable today) imposing fees on exports of good through our ports. The bill is designed to "ease congestion" at the ports of entry. Dennis Bryant, Esq. at Holland & Knight questions the constitutionality of such a bill. The relevant question being whether Article I…
Coral Reef Issues in the News
By Mark M. Murakami on
Lots of coral reef issues in the news here.
A recent mapping effort by the federal government revealed the coral reef ecosystem "thriving" off the Big Island, as reported here.
A Maui company was proposed to receive a $672,618 fine for coral reef damage at Molokini. Apparently, as a result of a vessel mishap…