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Rhode Island Passes Bill on LNG Ship Ops The House of Representatives voted 66- 0 to approve legislation introduced by Rep. Raymond E. Gallison Jr. to require any LNG tanker to have an LNG-certified American master mariner present on each trip through Rhode Island waters and dur- ing transfer of cargo. Representative Gallison, chairman of the Special House Commission to Study the Transportation of Liquefied Natural Gas and a Democrat who represents Dis- trict 69 in Bristol and Portsmouth, pro- posed the legislation (2005 - H5362Aaa) as a safety measure should either of the two proposed local LNG terminal projects go forward. "If either of these LNG pro- jects are approved, we need this assurance that there's someone on board with no stake in the delivery who knows how to identify safety problems on LNG tankers and would have no problem halting the shipment if there's a safety problem," said Representative Gallison, who has been at the forefront of the efforts to fight the pro- posed Weaver's Cove LNG terminal in Fall River, Mass., and the expansion of the Keyspan LNG terminal in Providence. "We have too many people living and working along the route that these tankers would take to take any chances with safe- ty." The bill would require every LNG tanker entering Rhode Island waters to have an LNG-certified, federally licensed master mariner on board any time it enters Rhode Island waters north of a line between Sakonnet Point and Point Judith. The master mariner would advise the ship's crew to perform any actions neces- sary to protect the safety of Rhode Islanders. The ship would also need the approval of the master mariner to unload at the terminal. The legislation would not affect exist- ing requirements that all the tankers have on board a Rhode Island-licensed marine pilot whenever entering Rhode Island waters. The pilot's purpose is to use his or her knowledge of Rhode Island's waters to ensure that the tanker avoids potential obstacles to navigation. A federal report issued in late 2004 indicated that, while the risk of an inci- dent involving a tanker explosion is low, a fire fed by large amounts of LNG could produce enough heat to burn people and structures a mile away. 20 • MarineNews • June, 2005 NEWS Safway has been in the scaffold business for over 68 years. Our patented Systems™ scaffold is used throughout the marine industry to give you access for any maintenance or new construction project at sea or on land. Safway’s complete labor services provide trained and skilled erection and dismantling crews for increased productivity. Safway’s complete line of accessories include: planks for sandblasting, beam clamps, scaffold for confined space, and suspended scaffold. Over 70 branches covering coast to coast means you have enough inventory for any size job. Delivery, scaffold training, and engineering are all “standard” at Safway. Ship and Vessel Maintenance Made Easy with Safway Scaffolds. Visit: www.safway.com or call 800-558-4772 Email: marketing@safway.com Circle 265 on Reader Service Card Representing Maritime Workers Since 1964 713-524-3500 800-282-2122 HOUSTON - GALVESTON * * Galveston office by appointment only www.smslegal.com Maritime Injuries Shipyard Accidents Drilling Rig and Fixed Offshore Platform Workers Crew, Supply, Tug and Barge Workers and other Maritime Workers Railroad Accidents/FELA Auto and Truck Accidents Product Injuries Wrongful Death Worker’s Comp Industrial Accidents Refinery Accidents SCHECHTER McELWEE & SHAFFER L.L.P. . With over 70 years of combined maritime law experience, the attor- neys of Schechter, McElwee & Shaffer have personally handled thousands of cases for injured maritime work- ers throughout the nation. There is no fee unless we recover for you. We’re here to work on your behalf. We are available toll-free at 800-282-2122, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We can fly to you or fly you to us. Se habla espanol. We speak Vietnamese. Experienced Maritime Injury Representation DENNIS M. McELWEE Licensed in Texas and Minnesota MATTHEW D. SHAFFER Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law Texas Board of Legal Specialization Licensed in Texas and Colorado JONATHAN S. HARRIS Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law Texas Board of Legal Specialization CHERYL SCHECHTER Of Counsel Licensed in Texas, New Jersey and District of Colombia ELLEN HARBERG SHAFFER Circle 290 on Reader Service Card JUNEMN2005 3(17-24)saved3.qxd 6/1/2005 3:51 PM Page 20
