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Safety At Sea IMO, slightly modified, in the form of a joint submission from France, Belgium and Germany. This and several other ini- tial proposals call for the accelerated phase out of single hull tankers accord- ing to a schedule the world shipbuilding and scrapping industries could face problems in meeting if oil deliveries to global markets are to continue at current levels. The INTERTANKO submission to MEPC 45 is in the nature of an infor- mation paper, with comments to the var- ious proposals for single hull phase out. INTERTANKO supports an open dis- cussion of the various proposals at IMO, leading to a reasonable and practical solution, and the Association has con- tributed extensive data to ensure that a final decision is based on comprehen- sive and accurate information. The INTERTANKO proposal calls for entire phase-out to be gradually achieved, in a controlled manner, over the period 2010-2015, in a timetable which aligns, generally, with that specified in OPA 90 requirements for the phase-in of double hull tankers. Exxon Mobil Appeal Rejected The U.S. Supreme Court recently rejected an appeal by Exxon Mobil Corp. over the $5 billion punitive dam- ages verdict against it for the 1989 Valdez accident. The justices let stand a U.S. appeals court ruling that the award against the oil giant in a civil lawsuit brought by Alaskan fishermen and other plaintiffs should not be set aside because of irregularities during jury delibera- tions. The appeal centered on the mis- conduct of a court bailiff who escorted the jury during the 1994 trial and the deliberations. A dissenting juror had reportedly become emotionally dis- traught on the 32nd day of deliberations. When the jurors returned from the holi- day weekend, the bailiff approached another juror and said the jurors were having problems with the distraught juror, the juror later testified at a hearing before the judge. The bailiff then reportedly pulled out his gun and took out one of its bullets and said something about putting the juror out of her misery, the juror said. He said he took it as a tasteless joke rather than as a threat or serious sugges- tion. The judge and then the appeals court ruled that Exxon Mobil had failed to prove that the jury had been preju- diced by the bailiff's misconduct. In its Supreme Court appeal, Exxon Mobil said, "This case involves the fundamen- tal right to a fair and impartial jury." The Supreme Court denied the company's appeal without any comment or dissent. The company still has other appeals pending before the California-based appeals court, and that the high court's action was not the final word on whether the damages would have to be paid. IMO Forum To Address High-Density Oil Spills During the recent IMO 45th session of its Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 45), it was agreed to hold a Research and Development Forum in March 2002, which will focus primarily on response to spills of high- density oil. France will host the forum, which will be the third R&D Forum sponsored by IMO. High-density fuel oils such as that carried by Erika are among the most difficult and most cost- ly to deal with when spilled. Ballast Water Exchange An MEPC Working Group furthered the efforts to enact new regulations for ballast water management to prevent the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms in ballast water. It is planned to hold a diplomatic conference during 2002 or 2003 to adopt the new measures. The proposed new measures take a two-tier approach. Tier one includes require- Control Solutio Since 1951 Mathers Controls has been bringing important engineering solutions to the marine industry. 1951 control We pioneered the development of single-lever marine controls, designed a sequencing delay to provide optimum response andprotection for vessels with reversing reduction gears, launched the industry's first multi-station electronic control system, and introduced hand-held remote controls offering the convenience of walkabout operation. For 50 years we've been setting the standardfor control solutions, and we're committed to going further. In September we joined with the ZF Marine Group. Together, we're positioned to become the industry's largest supplier of complete propulsion systems. Check, us out at METS 2000 and look, for announcements early in the year introducing our newest control solution, a system designed to minimize space requirements and reduce installation costs. We've been engineering control solutions for 50 years. Find out what we 're doing today See us at METS2000, booth #D 1648. For a list of distributors and information about our products, visit our web site: www. matherscontrols. com Mathers Controls, Inc. • 675 Peas Road, Burlington, WA 98233 1-800-546-5455 or call +360-757-6265 • Now part of the 2F Marine Group 24 Circle 276 on Reader Service Card Maritime Reporter/Engineering News
