The IMO Assembly adopted a Resolution on review of measures and procedures to prevent acts of terrorism which threaten the security of passengers and crews and the safety of ships.  A Conference on Maritime Security will be  held in December 2002.  The Maritime Safety Committee will meet in May 2002 to consider new and proposed regulations.  
(by Linda Allen)
For more information:

http://www.imo.org/Newsroom/mainframe.asp?topic_id=582&doc_id=1821

The EC is proposing increased ship stability requirements for ro-ro passenger vessels operating on international voyages to or from EU ports.  In effect, this proposal would extend the current Stockholm Agreement Rules throughout the EU.  New safety requirements would also be established for high-speed craft and for passengers with reduced mobility.  In addition, the EC is calling for compulsory insurance and strict liability up to EUR 250,000 per passenger, with unlimited liability in cases of fault.
(by Linda Allen)

For more information:

http://www.europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guestfr.ksh?p_action.getfile=gf&doc=IP/02/502|0|RAPID&lg=EN&type=PDF
 

http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/transport/themes/maritime/passenger-safety/library/memo_en.pdf
 

http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/transport/themes/maritime/passenger-safety/library/presskit_en.pdf  

Two new studies presented at the International Conference on Antiviral Research in Prague report that an  experimental compound appears to stop the growth of the virus in both tissue cultures and in mice. 

One compound the researchers have identified is called cidofovir, which interferes with the virus' ability to reproduce.  However, cidofovir must be given intravenously. A compound, hexacyloxypropyl-cidofovir, could be taken orally.
(by Linda Allen)

The bill represents the considered response of the House of Representatives to the maritime security bill passed by the Senate at the end of the last term of Congress and is consistent with that measure in many respects.  It would require port and facility vulnerability assessments, catastrophic emergency planning, vessel and facility antiterrorism plans, transportation security cards for individuals entering secure areas on a vessel or facility, establishment of maritime antiterrorism teams, foreign port assessments, and development of an antiterrorism cargo identification and screening system for containerized cargo.  The bill would also mandate installation of automatic identification system (AIS) equipment on various vessels operating in U.S. waters.  The bill would also authorize financial assistance for enhanced facility security to implement a maritime antiterrorism plan approved by the Secretary.  (18/03/02).''
(by Linda Allen)

For more information: 

http://www.house.gov/transportation/cgmt/hr3983.pdf

The U.S. Department of Transportation is establishing the Department of Transportation Electronic Transmission and Storage of Drug Testing Information Advisory Committee.  The purpose of this committee is to recommend to the Department the type and level of electronic security that should be used for the transmission and storage of drug testing information generated as part of the DOT drug and alcohol testing program for workers in the transportation system.  
(by Linda Allen)

For more information:

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2002_register&docid=02-6357-filed.pdf

Terrorist groups do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Travellers are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with their nearest Embassy or Consulate. There is good, updated information available about potential threats to travellers in the net. 

For more information :
http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html 

http://www.fco.gov.uk/travel/default.asp

For more information :
http://www.imha.net/wbarna.pdf

For more information:
Web: http://www.trauma2002.com 
E-mail: trauma@coplanor.qc.ca

The conference is to cover the history of Maritime Health network in Russia, the main problems of Health care at Sea, diving physiology and safety issues, travel medicine, tele-medicine.

Additional information is available

tel.:              +007-812-251-6152; +007-812-251-2385

fax:              +007-812-251-2385

mail:            Conference, Maritime Health and Diving Department, MAPS,

                     41 Kyrochnaya street, St-Petersburg, 193015, Russia

E-mail:        genpr@maps.spb.ru

For more information 
Web: http://www.ectm3.com
Email: congressi@studioscaramuzzi.com

For more information :
Centro Internazionale Radio Medico (C.I.R.M.)
Via dell'Architettura 41, 00144 Rome, Italy
Web :http://www.imha.net/w184roma.pdf
Email : salastudi@cirm.it

For more information: 
Web: http://www.safety2002.at 
Email: safety.2002@auva.sozvers.at

The aim of the congress is to reduce the number of drowning victims world wide and to improve the outcome. The congress will be a unique venue for over 700 participants who will have the opportunity to actively exchange ideas, knowledge, experiences and data in the area of water safety and lethal water incidents. 
Preparations of the project have started in 1996 and progressed well after that year with the establishment of a world wide network on this issue, the collection of many (if not all) important available data and expertise and the formulation of recommendations. 
Since then nine international task-forces have been working on issues as epidemiology, rescue, resuscitation, hospital treatment, brain and spinal resuscitation, immersion hypothermia, scuba diving, prevention and water related disasters. 
For more information:
Web: http://www.drowning.nl
Email: secretariat@drowning.nl 

For more information: 
Web: http://iea2002.com 
E-mail: iea2002@eventsintl.com 

For more information: 
Web: http://www.niva.org/courses/course12-15september2002.html  

Subjects :

	Practical use of telecommunications and informatics in providing medical services to the merchant navy, fishing fleet and offshore community.
	Requirements for establishing advanced telemedicine as a functional  service for various maritime user groups.
	Mobile units, wireless networks and satellite communications in maritime telemedicine.

More information : 
Web : www.nortelemed.com
Email : stein.moksness@telemed.no

For more information:
Web: www.niva.org/courses/course21-25october2002.html  

For more information:
Web: www.acoh2002.org.tw 
E-mail: acoh2002@seed.net.tw  

For more information:
Prof. K. Logunov :
tel +007-812-2516152
fax +007-812-2512385, +007-812-12013
email: divemed@maps.spb.ru  or genpr@maps.spb.ru  

For more information:
Email: icoh2003@fiepr.com.br