Vessel Documentation

Another Licensing

As discussed in a recent article, the USCG is now talking openly about centralizing the nationwide administration of the licensing and certification of seamen and officers into one location (the actual examinations will be "privatized"). They speak of the success they have had performing this feat for the vessel documentation offices and now want to repeat if for the licensing system. Obviously, they have forgotten the problems that occurred with the centralization of vessel documentation and for reasons of their own are reluctant to admit they will probably have serious problems with this new venture because of the different clientele. In 1995, the USCG centralized the vessel documentation process into one office located in Falling Waters, W.V. The original plan had called for reducing the number of documentation centers from 15 or so offices around the country to four and then after 10 years to consolidate into one office. It is not clear why the USCG did not stick to the original plan. Speculation is it was probably some budgetary need, i.e. the greater the reduction in employees used in vessel documentation, the more money could be spent elsewhere, presumably where the USCG wanted to spend it. Shipbuilders and vessel owners along the Gulf Coast insisted the USCG keep the New Orleans documentation office open with a token staff to be capable of responding to various quick turnaround issues in order to prevent delaying the sailing (foreign) of a vessel

Coast Guard Publishes Supplemental NPRM

In the August 9, 2002, Federal Register, the Coast Guard publishes a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to solicit further comment on its previous NPRM entitled, "Vessel Documentation: Lease-Financing for Vessels Engaged in the Coastwise Trade." The regulations implement a 1996 federal law codified at 46 U.S.C. 12106(e), which was designed to enlarge vessel financing sources by allowing lease financing to be offered by companies which are less than 75% U.S.-owned

OMSA to Testify on Coast Guard Licensing, Documentation

Shull Autin, COO of SEACOR Marine LLC, on behalf of the Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA), testified before the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on July 20. In his testimony, Autin addressed the following, and offered suggestions for improvement: U.S. Coast Guard Licensing and Documentation is a critical part of maritime safety; Coast Guard Licensing and Documentation as a process has become increasingly more

Continuous synopsis record – application form

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Notice stating that it has developed an Application for Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) for U.S vessels. The application must be completed and submitted to the CSR Desk at the USCG National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC). This submittal should be done promptly because, under both the SOLAS Convention and USCG maritime security regulations, affected vessels must have a CSR on board by July 1, 2004

Repower: Bringing New Life To Older Vessels

By Bill West, contributing editor The decision to repower a vessel is a multi-faceted one, and it can be safely assumed that no two decisions in this arena are exactly the same. Whether it's a crewboat that needs new power units to accommodate a new scope of operation; extending the life of an old, but otherwise stable boat; a rip and refit to replace under performing engines; or as a simple factor in the overall vessel conversion equation - the decision to install new engines on a vessel

ISS US Gulf Introduces Documentation Department

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), a maritime services provider, has created a dedicated US Gulf Documentation Department to meet customer demand for a centralized and streamlined service to handle cargo documentation for import and export activity. The new department will provide expert oversight and guidance for the specific documentation functions that remain in US Gulf ports and provide customers with the best advice and support

The Increasing Importance of Preventative Maintenance

The U.S. Coast Guard is adapting their compliance procedures to suit the recent IMO requirements. It is modifying their inspection requirements by implementing a USCG streamlined vessel inspection (SIP) scheme allowing vessel owner/operator inspections to replace certain regular inspections by the USCG, on the basis of an approved Maintenance Program. Likewise, Classification Societies (ABS, DNV and Lloyds) are accepting approved Preventive Maintenance Programs to replace special

MITAGS Holds STCW-95 Working Group

The STCW-95 Working Group held a conference at the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) on September 4-5, 2002. Attendees included a diverse group of Government, Regulatory and Commercial Industry representatives. This conference was a continuation of work completed at previous sessions in 2001 and 2002. The mission of the STCW Working Group is to assist the United States Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center (NMC) in developing policies that integrate the new

Gulf, Atlantic Strike Teams Assist EPA at Contaminated Facility

One member from the Gulf Strike Team and one member from the Atlantic Strike Team deployed today to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at a contaminated facility in Weogufka, Ala. The strike team members will assist as Federal On-Scene Coordinator Representatives, conduct site safety, monitor contractors, provide photo documentation and cost documentation for lead contaminated soil removal work at Performance Advantage Facility, Inc.

Vector and MPS to Provide Joint Delivery of ISPS Services

Vector Maritime Software and Maritime Protection Systems (MPS) have announced their joint services to clients to implement the forthcoming ISPS requirements using the Vector Management System The services start with practical security consultancy from which MPS develop the company specific ISPS documentation and manuals. The manuals are developed within the Vector ISM Manager software which has been expanded to suit the requirements of ISPS