MARAD ADVISORY 2008-03

*****
VIA     NOTICE TO MARINERS
           US SHIP OPERATOR EMAIL DISTRIBUTION
*****
OUTBREAK OF HOSTILITIES IN GEORGIA        

*****
ALL OPERATORS OF U.S. FLAG, EFFECTIVE U.S. CONTROLLED VESSELS,
AND OTHER MARITIME INTERESTS
*****

1.  RECENT OUTBREAK OF HOSTILITIES BETWEEN RUSSIA AND GEORGIA HAS RISEN TO A LEVEL
     WHERE THERE ARE REPORTS OF RUSSIAN PLANES BOMBING INFRASTRUCTURE.

2.  A TRAVEL WARNING ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE ON AUGUST 11, 2008 updates information on the armed conflict in South Ossetia between Georgian forces on the one hand, and Russian and separatist forces on the other.

3.  On August 9, 2008 the Department of State authorized the departure from Georgia of eligible family members. The Department recommends that American citizens defer non-essential travel to Georgia and that American citizens remaining in Georgia review their security situation. U.S. citizens remaining in Georgia should avoid unnecessary travel within Georgia, defer all travel north of Gori and avoid all travel to the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Private Americans unable to reach Tbilisi should consider transportation available in the Batumi area.

4.   THE MARITIME ADMNISTRATION ADVISES VESSEL OPERATORS TO CHECK THE CURRENT WARNING STATUS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE,  TASK FORCE 1,  TELEPHONE 202- 647-6611, OR EMAIL TASKFORCE-1@STATE.GOV,  BEFORE APPROACHING SEAPORTS IN GEORGIA.

5.   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ADVISORY, CONTACT MR. DOHERTY, MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE OF SECURITY, CODE: MAR-420, ROOM W23-312, 1200 NEW JERSEY AVE, S.E., WASHINGTON, DC 20590, TELEPHONE 202-366-1883, FACSIMILE 202-366-3954, TLX II 710.822.9426 (MARAD DOT WSH), OR EMAIL: OWEN.DOHERTY@DOT.GOV