The Paratus Group is proud to have helped Jamaica to improve their national preparedness for a major oil spill, delivering Technical Assistance in Kingston in a three day workshop. The Paratus Group facilitated presentations, critical discussions and the use of ARPEL’s internationally recognized RETOS tool with 20 experts from 8 national agencies. Shout outs to RAC REMPEITC and OSRL that helped organize this timely workshop sponsored by the International Maritime Organization and the United Nations Environment Program.
BOEM accepts the South Fork Wind Marine and Aviation Lighting, Marking, and Signaling Plan created by The Paratus Group.
Following a rigorous assessment by the United States Coast Guard, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Ørsted's South Fork Wind Marine and Aviation Lighting, Marking, and Signaling Plan, prepared by The Paratus Group, has been accepted. As per John Mansolillo, Ørsted's Northeast Marine Affairs Manager, "We can now confidently proceed with the South Fork Wind project as outlined in the plan, and refer other agencies to the Lighting, Marking, and Signaling Plan for South Fork Wind with authority."
TPG would like to express gratitude to John and the technical package managers at Ørsted and Stewart Erwin at Sabik Offshore for their invaluable contributions during the development of this plan. We would also like to give a special shout-out to the exceptionally skilled graphic artist, LK Weiss, at Portland Design Company, for her outstanding work in transforming complex technical regulations into clear and informative graphics.
The Paratus Group is currently working on the LMS plan for Ocean Wind 1, New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm, which will deliver 1,100 MW of clean, renewable energy to the Garden State.
TPG Promotes Environmental Stewardship in the Wider Caribbean Region with IMO
TPG served as lead consultant and facilitator for the IMO’s Regional Workshop on the Implementation and Enforcement of MARPOL Annexes III-V. Hosted by the Maritime Authority of Jamaica and attended by representatives of 15 countries of the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR), the workshop focused on building networks, sharing best practices among Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with a special focus on Port Reception Facilities for visiting ships to dispose of waste.
It was clear that each country and the WCR is committed to meet their obligations and are currently working to solve or improve very real limitations. TPG is pleased to help them realize these goals for the region.
TPG completes draft of nation's second offshore wind Lighting, Marking and Signaling Plan
The Paratus Group, LLC is pleased to have completed the nation’s second offshore wind Lighting, Marking, and Signaling Plan. Working with Maine-based graphic designer, Portland Design Company, TPG compiled data from Orsted and its many contractors to complete a comprehensive and clear plan for Orsted’s South Fork Wind project which was submitted to BOEM and the U.S. Coast Guard for review.
MITAGS wins Ventus Award for Offshore Wind Simulation Project supported by The Paratus Group
Congratulations to MITAGS for being recognized by The Business Network for Offshore Wind for delivering superior models and simulation services supporting Orsted’s and TPG’s stakeholder outreach and company training goals. TPG is proud to have played an instrumental role in this and other simulation initiatives underway at USMRC and SUNY Maritime.
Coast Guard Sector Virginia concurs with HRBT Expansion Project 408 Permit
On February 13th, Coast Guard Sector Virginia (recently renamed from Sector Hampton Roads to better represent their broad area of responsibility) provided its concurrence with the Hampton Roads Connection Partners’ 408 permit application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Paratus Group was the primary author of the Navigation Risk Safety Assessment required by the Coast Guard to ensure safety of the many on-water construction related activities of the $3.8B project to expand 10 mies of highway and bridges and bore two new road tunnels below the main navigation channel that provides access to the world’s largest naval base and the East Coast’s first container yard capable of handling Ultra Large Container Ships. The Paratus Group’s client noted “This milestone is a direct reflection of your (TPG’s) great work. Thanks again”.
Coast Guard Publishes Draft Port Route Study for the Areas Offshore Massachusetts and Rhode Island
In 2019, The Paratus Group drafted comments for a client to submit to the Federal Register regarding the proposed MARIPARS. The Coast Guard considered those comments along with all comments from mariners and organizations regarding the navigation safety of wind farm arrays and has drafted their report. The summary in the Federal Register and links to the draft report can be found here. Comments on the draft report are being accepted by the USCG until March 16, 2020. The Paratus Group highly encourages all interested parties to weigh in and let your voice be heard. It will only help the Coast Guard fulfill their mission to facilitate commerce and keep our waters safe.
The Paratus Group LLC in Grenada
While many in the United States were celebrating Thanksgiving, The Paratus Group was on the Caribbean island of Grenada helping RAC REMPEITC provide a national workshop on the ratification and implementation of MARPOL Annexes III-V. The Paratus Group has long worked to raise awareness of the challenges and risks of polluting our oceans, be it from oil, sewage, or plastic.
IMO Publishes the Manual on Oil Pollution Section II - Contingency Planning
On June of 2018, the International Maritime Organization published the 2018 edition of the Manual on Oil Pollution Section II - Contingency Planning. This publication aims to assist governments in establishing a national oil spill response system and, in developing or revising their national oil spill contingency plans. The manual also includes information related to contingency planning for offshore installations, sea ports and oil handling facilities.
It was an honor to serve as a contributor and editor of this important update. I would like to thank the country and industry representatives as well as the IMO Executive Secretariat, especially Colleen O'Hagan, for their tireless work and contributions to make this a reality.
Within the United States you may purchase the Section here among other IMO authorized distributors.
May 16 and 17, 2017
Look for The Paratus Group at IOSC 2017 in Long Beach, California. After reviewing 9 IOSC paper submissions, Paul Lattanzi will be attending IOSC to meet with presenters and network with colleagues from around the world. It promises to be a great conference and we hope to see you there!
February 15, 2017
The Paratus Group is now registered with the International Maritime Organization's E-Roster of Consultants, available to provide technical assistance to IMO to assist Member States.
December 9, 2016
The Paratus Group is founded to assist governments, organizations, companies, and individuals in meeting their goals of preparedness and compliance. Leveraging education, training, experience, and extensive networks, the company has its own goals of providing unsurpassed customer satisfaction.
October 28, 2016
The 70th Session of the International Maritime Organization's Marine Environment Protection Committee approves the revision of Section II of the Manual on Oil Pollution - Contingency Planning. Paul Lattanzi served as the editor and a contributor of this revision and he thanks the 13 countries, NGOs and industry members who made contributed to this international manual.
http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/MeetingSummaries/MEPC/Pages/MEPC-70th-session.aspx
CDR Paul Lattanzi address the plenary session at the 3rd session of IMO's Pollution Prevention and Response Sub-Committee to introduce the revision of Section II of the Manual On Oil Pollution which he lead.
