Dutch freighter Flinterstar has sank after colliding nearly head on with the Marshall Islands-flagged LNG carrier Al-Oraiq in the North Sea off Belgium on Tuesday morning.

Dutch Freighter ‘Flinterstar’ Sinks After Collision With LNG Carrier – PHOTOS

October 6, 2015 by Mike Schuler



Dutch freighter Flinterstar is seen sinking after colliding with Marshall Island-flagged tanker Al-Oraiq, which also suffered damage in the collision, in the North Sea off the Belgian coast October 6, 2015. REUTERS/Benny Proot



A Dutch freighter has sank after colliding nearly head on with the Marshall Islands-flagged LNG carrier Al-Oraiq in the North Sea off Belgium on Tuesday morning.

All 12 crew members from the freighter, named Flinterstar, have been rescued. The crew members were rescued from the cold North Sea, including one person who was reportedly suffering from hypothermia, according to a Coast Guard spokesperson.

Photos of the Flinterstar show partially sunk, resting on a sandbank in calm seas and clear visibility. Dutch ship owner Flinter has confirmed that the ship sank, the crew is safe and the vessel is ‘stable’. A small oil sheen has been reported. An AIS replay of the collision (video below) shows the ships collided nearly head on.

“At this time, we are talking to salvage companies together with insurance to decide how the vessel will be salvaged,” Flinter said in a statement.

The 122,000 DWT Al-Oraiq was also damaged, but was able to continue to its destination of Zeebrugge, Belgium with the help of a tug.

The 129 meter Flinterstar was built in 2002 and is flagged in the Netherlands. The vessel had just departed Antwerp bound for Bilbao, Spain when it collided with the Al Oraiq about 16 miles (10 km) from the coast.

Flinter’s fleet consists of more than 50 vessels under its ownership or control. Most are multi-purpose ships ranging in sizes up to 11,000 DWT. Photo: REUTERS/Benny Proot

Photo: REUTERS/Benny Proot

Photo: REUTERS/Benny Proot

Photo: REUTERS/Benny Proot

Photo: REUTERS/Benny Proot

The AIS recreation of the collision from Vessel Finder: 

33 sailors killed: The U.S. Coast Guard has confirmed that the search for the El Faro crew will be suspended at sunset tonight.

Coast Guard: Search for El Faro Survivors to End at Sunset

October 7, 2015 by Mike Schuler



The El Faro is shown in this undated handout photo provided by Tote Maritime in Jacksonville, Florida, October 2, 2015. Reuters/Tote Maritime



The U.S. Coast Guard has confirmed that the search for the El Faro crew will be suspended at sunset tonight.

The announcement comes an exhaustive 6-day search for survivors covering more than 172,000 square nautical miles.

The EL Faro had 33 crew members, including 28 Americans and 5 Polish nationals, when it sank sometime Thursday in Hurricane Joaquin while off the coast the Bahamas.

The Coast Guard is set to hold a joint conference with the NTSB on Wednesday to provide an update on the search for the missing crew and the investigation.

Communication was lost with the ship Thursday morning after the Coast Guard received a satellite notification from the crew at 7:20 a.m. stating that the ship had lost power, taken on water and developed a 15 degree list as it battled Hurricane Joaquin. The situation was reported to be contained and being managed by the crew, the notification said.

The El Faro departed Jacksonville, Florida on its normal route to San Juan, Puerto Rice on Tuesday, September 29th when then-Tropical Storm Joaquin was located a few hundred miles from the Bahamas and packing 40 knot winds. By Thursday, Joaquin had grown into a dangerous Category 4 hurricane with 110 knot winds and wave heights likely up to about 35 feet while centered right off eastern coast of the Bahamas.

The Coast Guard has reported that the last known location of the ship was 35 miles northeast of Crooked Island, Bahamas, approximately the same location as the eye of the slow-moving hurricane on Thursday.

The ship is believed to have sunk in approximately 15,000 feet of water.

On Saturday, search crews located a life ring in the water bearing the name ‘El Faro’ – the first sign of the ship since it went missing Thursday. By Sunday night, the Coast Guard had located a deceased person in a survival suit in the water, as well as a heavily damaged life boat with markings consistent with those on board the El Faro. Additional items located by Coast Guard aircrews within search areas include a partially submerged life raft, life jackets, life rings, cargo containers and an oil sheen Sunday, the Coast Guard said.

Assets involved in the search have included two Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplanes, two Air Force C-130 airplanes, one Navy P-8 airplane, a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, three commercial tugs, and the Coast Guard Cutters Northland, Resolute and Charles Sexton.

The El Faro is owned by TOTE Maritime, part of TOTE, Inc. and the Saltchuk family of brands.

Story developing, check back for updates…

U.S. EPA Orders Kern County Public Water System in California to Reduce Arsenic in Drinking Water

Release Date: 10/06/2015
Contact Information: Nahal Mogharabi, Mogharabi.nahal@epa.gov, 213-244-1815


District to provide residents alternative drinking water until compliance is restored
LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently settled with Arvin Community Services District (ACSD), located in Arvin, Calif., for arsenic violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. ACSD has agreed to provide residents with alternative water until they are found to be in compliance and will pay a penalty of $14,750.

In October 2008, EPA issued an order requiring the system to meet the arsenic maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 parts per billion (ppb) no later than December 2010, and was granted an extension to December 31, 2014. However, data from arsenic monitoring taken in 2014 showed that the system remained out of compliance with arsenic concentrations as high as 31 ppb.

ACSD recently installed three drinking water vending machines at its district office, located at 309 Campus Drive that will each provide 650 gallons per day of drinking water to customers. This service is currently available and was funded by the state of California. As part of the order, these vending machines will be available 24/7 at no direct cost to the public and shall be maintained to provide alternative water to ACSD customers until the system has returned to compliance with federal drinking water standards.

In addition, ACSD is required to complete an Arsenic Mitigation Project which includes the drilling and completion of two new groundwater wells. If arsenic should be found above the MCL at the new wells, ACSD will be required to install arsenic treatment that will deliver drinking water to its customers below the arsenic MCL.

ACSD must also provide milestone updates to EPA for the mitigation project, provide EPA with quarterly progress reports and participate in quarterly meetings with EPA and the California State Water Resources Control Board on its progress towards compliance.

Arvin Community Services District serves an average of about 20,000 year-round residents daily through more than 3,700 connections located in the City of Arvin and surrounding Kern County. The system’s source of drinking water is groundwater from seven wells that serve single and multiple family residential units, commercial, and industrial customers.

Arsenic is a known human carcinogen and causes several adverse physiological effects. For more information on the Safe Drinking Water Act, please visit: http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/index.cfm

U.S. EPA cites South Pacific Petroleum Corp. and Tristar, two Guam bulk fuel companies, for chemical safety violations

Release Date: 10/06/2015
Contact Information: Dean Higuchi, 808-541-2711, higuchi.dean@epa.gov

South Pacific Petroleum Corp. and Tristar Terminals Guam Inc. to pay fines

HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached separate agreements with South Pacific Petroleum Corporation and Tristar Terminals Guam Inc. for a total of $406,000 in penalties to resolve federal chemical safety violations at their facilities in Guam.

The actions were taken under the Clean Air Act’s Section 112(r) Risk Management Plan requirements. South Pacific Petroleum Corp. (SPPC) will pay a fine of $206,000 for propane storage violations at its Cabras Distribution Terminal, and Tristar will pay $200,000 for propane storage violations at its Agat facility. Both facilities are liquid petroleum storage and distribution terminals.

“The safety of the residents on Guam depends on companies preparing for possible emergencies at their facilities,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “EPA will work with both facilities to ensure they comply with EPA requirements and operate in a safe manner.”

EPA inspections found that neither Tristar nor SPPC had reviewed or updated its hazard assessment since 2005 or 2006, respectively. Also, both Tristar and SPPC had also miscategorized their facilities in terms of the level of Risk Management Plan requirements required for compliance. As a result, neither company had implemented the robust accidental release prevention program requirements that applied. In August 2013, EPA issued a compliance order to each facility requiring correction of the identified violations. Both facilities have corrected the violations and have certified that they are currently in compliance.

The Risk Management Plan requirements include developing a hazard assessment detailing the potential effects of an accidental release; an accidental release prevention program that includes safety precautions, safe operating procedures, maintenance and employee training measures; and emergency response program that spells out emergency health care, employee training measures and procedures for informing the public and local response agencies should an accident occur.

For more information on the Risk Management Program, please visit: http://www2.epa.gov/rmp

For more information on the Clean Air Act’s General Duty Clause, please visit: http://www2.epa.gov/rmp/general-duty-clause-fact-sheet

OSHA cites J&M Metro General Contracting, a Brooklyn, NY contractor for fatal worker fall

U.S. Department of Labor | Oct. 6, 2015 BOS 2015-186

OSHA cites J&M Metro General Contracting, a Brooklyn, NY contractor for fatal worker fall
J&M Metro General Contracting Corp. fails to provide lifesaving protections

NEW YORK – Vidal Sanchez fell to his death at a Brooklyn work site on April 1, 2015. It should not have happened.

The 51-year-old laborer, who worked for Brooklyn-based J&M Metro General Contracting Corp., fell while raking freshly poured concrete at the unprotected 6th floor edge of a building under construction at 360 Neptune Ave. in Brighton Beach.

An inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that Sanchez and his co-workers were not provided required fall protection equipment, such as harnesses and lifelines, and their employer had not trained them on how to minimize fall hazards. As a result of its findings, OSHA cited* J&M Metro General Contracting on Sept. 30 for one willful violation for the lack of fall protection and five serious violations for the other hazards.

“Mr. Sanchez’s death could have been prevented by J&M Metro General Contracting,” said Kay Gee, OSHA’s area director for Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. “This employer knew fall protection was required, but did not supply lifesaving equipment that would have prevented this fall.”

OSHA’s inspection identified other fall-related hazards, including missing stairway guardrails, a defective extension ladder, unprotected floor holes and construction debris in stairways and work areas.

“Too many construction workers die needlessly in falls each year. This includes nine such employees in New York City this year,” said Robert Kulick, OSHA’s regional administrator in New York. “We remind employers that these are people, not numbers. Employers must use appropriate and effective required fall protection measures at all times.”

To raise public awareness and reduce fall-related hazards and injuries, OSHA has an ongoing Fall Protection Campaign to help workers and employers identify and address fall hazards and safeguards.

J&M Metro General Contracting faces $84,600 in proposed fines. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency’s Manhattan Area Office at 212-620-3200.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

US Labor Department urges South Carolina storm recovery workers and public to be vigilant and aware of hazards during storm cleanup

Oct. 6, 2015

US Labor Department urges storm recovery workers and
public to be vigilant and aware of hazards during storm cleanup

ATLANTA, GA

South Carolina residents - emergency workers, employers and the public - recovering from the impact of Hurricane Joaquin should be aware of the hazards they may encounter and take necessary steps to stay safe, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration urges. 

"Recovery work should not put you in the hospital emergency room," said Kurt Petermeyer, OSHA's regional administrator in Atlanta. "A range of safety and health hazards exist following storms. You may minimize these dangers with knowledge, safe work practices and personal protective equipment. OSHA wants to make certain that all working men and women, including volunteers, return home at the end of the workday."

Storm and hurricane cleanup work may involve hazards related to restoring electricity, communications, and water and sewer services. Other hazards pertain to demolition activities; debris cleanup; tree trimming; and structural, roadway and bridge repair; hazardous waste operations; and emergency response activities. OSHA maintains a comprehensive website to keep disaster site workers safe during tornado and storm cleanup and recovery operations. 

In addition, areas affected by flooding have unique cleanup challenges, including dam and levee repair, removal of floodwater from structures, and repairing downed electrical wires in standing water. Workers and residents taking defensive action to protect structures or evacuate severely impacted areas may encounter hazards, such as rapidly rising streams and moving water. OSHA has many resources on flood preparedness and response detailing how to stay safe during floods and subsequent cleanup. 

Only workers provided with the proper training, equipment and experience should conduct cleanup activities.

Protective measures should include the following:

• Evaluating the work area for hazards.
• Employing engineering or work practice controls to mitigate hazards.
• Using personal protective equipment.
• Assuming all power lines are live.
• Using portable generators, saws, ladders, vehicles and other equipment properly.
• Heeding safety precautions for traffic work zones.

Individuals involved in recovery efforts may call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or visit the agency's website to reach local representatives who can provide on-site assistance. The South Carolina OSHA Office can be reached at 803-896-7665.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

Mark Mashuda Excavating Inc. fined $147K fo rexposING employees to trenching hazards at Evans City, Pennsylvania, worksite

U.S. Department of Labor | Oct. 7, 2015

OSHA finds excavating company exposed employees to trenching
hazards at Evans City, Pennsylvania, worksite
Mark Mashuda Excavating Inc. fined $147K for federal violations

Employer name: Mark Mashuda Excavating Inc., 113 Lakeland Drive, Mars, Pennsylvania. The inspection site was the Peachmont Farms Development, Evans City, Pennyslvania, where workers were installing a sewer line.

Citations issued: On September 29, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued two willful one serious safety citations.

Investigation findings: OSHA initiated an inspection on March 31 after being notified of a trench collapse where an employee was rescued after being buried by a collapsing trench wall. Inspectors cited the company because it was installing a sanitary sewer line in an excavation approximately 13 feet deep with inadequate or no protective system in place. Although an eight-foot high trench box was in place in the sewer main trench, it did not adequately protect the 13 foot deep trench. Additional trench boxes were onsite, but were not in use at the time of the incident. The company was also cited because employees were working outside of the trench box and the walls of the excavation were not benched or sloped.

Proposed penalties: $147,000

Quote: “This trench collapse should have never happened. It is completely inexcusable for an excavation contractor not to provide cave in protection for all employees working in trenches,” said Christopher Robinson, director of OSHA’s Pittsburgh Area Office. “OSHA will not tolerate employers not meeting their legal responsibility.”

View the citations: http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/MarkMashudaExcavatingInc_1050178.pdf*

To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint; or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Pittsburgh Area Office at 412-395-4903.

MASSIVE FLOOD DAMAGE IN SOUTH CAROLINA FROM 1,000-YEAR STORM

South Carolina Flooding: Residents Warned Flooding Could Worsen Downstream; State's Death Toll Rises to 15


By Sean Breslin

Published Oct 7 2015 12:31 PM EDT

weather.com


Meteorologists Ari Sarsalari and Domenica Davis talk about Beaver Dam in South Carolina and the forced evacuations of residents.


Residents in South Carolina's Lowcountry were being warned that water from days of flooding across the state was moving in their direction, and it was going to have major impacts.

Near the coast, residents were seen sandbagging around homes, businesses and tourist attractions as they prepared for the surge of water that was headed their way. Though some areas have already dealt with flooding from the initial event, authorities said some areas that didn't see flooding may get swamped before all that water moves out to sea.

"We are going to be extremely careful. We are watching this minute by minute," said Gov. Nikki Haley.





South Carolina Rain Totals

Although the bulk of the rain has ended, high waters are still a very dangerous reality after the historic flood event in South Carolina. Rescue crews went door to door in South Carolina's capital city of Columbia as officials continued to free residents that were trapped by severe flooding that swamped virtually the entire state.

“I believe that things will get worse before they get better,” Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin said Monday. “Eventually the floods will abate, but then we have to access the damage, and I anticipate that damage will probably be in the billions of dollars, and we’re going to have to work to rebuild. Some peoples’ lives as they know them will never be the same.”

Wednesday morning, Williamsburg County officials were asking some residents south of the Black and Santee rivers to evacuate as the two waterways overflowed their banks. Officials expected to see river flooding in the area, and they're hopeful that some controlled dam releases will alleviate the flooding, Live 5 News reported.

Dam failures were a constant concern for thousands of residents, days after the rain ended. Residents near one Columbia, South Carolina, dam were told to flee Wednesday morning, as it was believed to be near its breaking point, potentially putting thousands in the path of millions of gallons of water.

Those new evacuation orders were issued after concern that the Beaver Dam at Pebble Creek could breach. All residents were ordered to evacuate the area, asking that they go to A.C. Flora High School.

"Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life," wrote the National Weather Service's Columbia office in an alert sent to the area Wednesday morning.

According to the Richland County Sheriff's Department, the dam was stabilized at about 8:30 a.m. local time Wednesday morning. Authorities kept a voluntary evacuation notice in effect for residents living downstream of the dam.

During a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Gov. Haley said the state is monitoring 62 of South Carolina's thousands of dams. Thirteen dams have failed, she also said.

At least 15 people have died from the floods in South Carolina since the rain began to fall days ago. In the wake of the disastrous flooding event, President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration for the state of South Carolina, ordering federal aid to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts.

Obama's action makes federal funding available to affected parties in Charleston, Dorchester, Georgetown, Horry, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland and Williamsburg counties. Forms of assistance included are grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover.

The rain event has set records all over the state, flooding entire towns. For some locations, this historic rainfall qualifies as a 1,000-year rain event, meaning in a given year there is a 1 in 1,000 chance of observing rainfall totals of this magnitude.

"The flooding is unprecedented and historical," said Dr. Marshall Shepherd, a meteorologist and director of the atmospheric sciences program at the University of Georgia, in an email to The Associated Press.