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Office Of Commercial Vessel Compliance News

25 Apr 2023

US Coast Guard: Latvia Records Highest Detention Ratio in 2022

© Alexander / Adobe Stock

The US Coast Guard’s Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has released its U.S. Port State Control Annual Report for 2022, with Latvia noted as having the highest detention ratio, ahead of Bolivia.The report lists highest risk flag administrations based on their 2020-2022 detention ratio as: Latvia (57.14%), Bolivia (31.25%), Togo (7.69%), Curacao (4.88%), Italy (3.39%), Turkey (2.90%) and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (2.30%).Medium risk flag administrations were Cyprus…

25 Jun 2019

BY THE NUMBERS

The U.S. Coast Guard’s 2018 Domestic Annual Report on Flag State Control.The U.S. Coast Guard’s 2018 Domestic Annual Report contains statistics regarding inspections and enforcement of regulations on U.S. flagged vessels. The report includes deficiency and detention rates for each type of inspected vessel, as well as performance metrics for Recognized Organizations that perform work on the Coast Guard’s behalf. The data contained in this report was compiled by the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC) using information from the Coast Guard’s Marine Information Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database system.For the first time, the coast Guard is presenting information reflecting the entire U.S.

21 Jun 2019

USCG Updates OCMI Guidance on SubM Work

USCG Photo (2nd Class Anthony Soto).

The Coast Guard’s Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has updated the Mission Management System CV-WI-010(2), Work Instruction for OCMI guidance on special consideration for inspected towing vessels.This work instruction provides guidance to OCMIs on the application and implementation of a special consideration determination for towing vessels inspected under 46 CFR Subchapter M.

10 May 2019

Summary of latest TSAC Meeting Available

Rear Adm. John Nadeau, assistant commandant for prevention policy.

The Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) held its spring public meeting in Miami, Florida, March 13, 2019. Attendees represented the Coast Guard, the towing and barge industry, engineers, pilots/masters, port authorities, terminal operators, offshore operators, and the public.After welcoming remarks from Rear Adm. John Nadeau, assistant commandant for prevention policy, the committee deliberated on current tasks, discussed new business, and received public comments.Highlights from the meeting included:Capt.

22 Apr 2019

Domestic Vessel Annual Report for 2018 now available

File Image: A USCG safety inspector at work on the waterfront. CREDIT USCG / Anthony Soto

The Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has announced the publication of the 2018 Domestic Annual Report.The report highlights, U.S. domestic fleet deficiencies, inspections, and marine casualty statistics and serves as a powerful tool to study trends, identify key performance indicators, and bring attention to issues in the fleet.The report presents information reflecting the entire U.S. Flag fleet, including barges, cargo vessels, passenger vessels, vessels operating on the Outer Continental Shelf…

12 Dec 2018

U.S. Coast Guard Publishes first Domestic Vessel Annual Report

Rear Admiral John P. Nadeau, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, United States Coast Guard.

The Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance announced the release of the 2017 Domestic Vessel Annual Report, the first of its kind issued from the Coast Guard.The report collates data from the Coast Guard’s Marine Information Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database regarding vessel population, inspections conducted, and deficiencies issued for the 2017 calendar year.In 2017, the Coast Guard’s fleet of responsibility contained 12,189 vessels with active Certificates of Inspection (COI). There were 905 Marine Inspectors (MI) assigned to field units who conducted 18,424 inspections.

02 Nov 2018

U.S. Coast Guard Clarifies U.S. Citizenship Requirement for U.S. Flag Vessels

File Image: AdobeStock / © xmentoys

Rules regarding 'Employment of Non-U.S. Credentialed Personnel On board Certain U.S.-Documented Vessels' defined.An analysis of recent arrival notifications has revealed several cases of U.S.-documented vessels calling on U.S. ports with non-U.S. credentialed personnel in lieu of U.S. citizens. The intent of this MSIB is to provide information and guidance regarding the provisions for employment of non-U.S. credentialed personnel on board certain U.S. documented vessels. Please…

10 Oct 2018

USCG: Two Subchapter M Work Instructions Published

File Image: CREDIT ABB

The Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC), recently published two Mission Management System (MMS) Work Instructions (WI):1. CVC-WI-013(2), Initial Towing Vessel COI Inspections Under TSMS Option2. CVC-WI-010(1), OCMI Guidance on Special Consideration for 46 CFR Subchapter M VesselsThese instructions provide guidance to both Coast Guard field offices and the maritime industry on the Coast Guard’s interpretations regarding the application and implementation of regulations…

21 Sep 2018

NOSAC Meeting Highlights

Representatives from the Coast Guard, offshore oil and gas industries, recognized organizations and numerous industry associations attended the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee semi-annual public meeting in Houston, Texas Sept 11, 2018.Rear Adm. John Nadeau, assistant commandant for prevention policy, attended the meeting and discussed with the Committee the new Coast Guard commandant’s strategic vision for the service as well as the reorganization within the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance to put an increased emphasis on Third Party Organization oversight.During the meeting, the Committee heard presentations and discussions on the progress of a variety of issues, including reports and recommendations stemming from the Subcommittees’ deliberations.

03 Jul 2018

USCG Issues Advice for Collecting Information for SubM COI's

As of June 25, 2018, the Coast Guard has issued 22 certificates of inspection (COI) to towing vessels in both the Atlantic and Pacific areas of operation. Additional inspections are scheduled between now and July 20, 2018, when Subchapter M is fully implemented. The requirements for obtaining a certificate of inspection, as detailed in 46 CFR 136.210, begin when the owner/operator submits the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved Form CG-3752 “Application for Inspection.” New construction vessels use Form CG-3752A. Owners/operators are only required to complete OMB-approved forms and submit the information listed in the regulations.

18 May 2018

Tidewater Attains First Sub M COI on the West Coast

Back row (l-r): Chris Springer, District 13 USCG; Bill Collins, Tidewater EHS&S Director; Josh Jarman, Tidewater Quality & Compliance Manager; Marc Schwartz, Tidewater Maintenance & Engineering Manager; Craig Nelson, Tidewater Vessel Operations Manager; Bruce Reed, Tidewater VP & COO; Josh Nichols, Tidewater Captain & Assistant Port Captain. Front row (l-r): Austin Murai, MSTC USCG; Brian Fletcher, Tidewater Port Captain; Jeff Deronde, MST1 USCG (Photo: Tidewater)

Tidewater Transportation and Terminals of Vancouver, Wash., announced today that the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance and the Coast Guard Sector Columbia River has issued a Certificate of Inspection (COI) to the towing vessel Crown Point for compliance under the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) Subchapter M safety regulations governing the inspection, standards and safety management systems of towing vessels.This COI is the first issued to a west coast (PACAREA) tugboat/towboat operator.The Crown Point is the first of three custom-built river towboats built for Tidewater in 2015.

21 Jul 2017

A Significant Date for Subchapter M

© hildeanna / Adobe Stock

July 20 marks a milestone in Subchapter M implementation. Towing vessels with keels laid or major conversions on or after July 20, 2017 are required to meet 46 CFR Subchapter M and obtain a Certificate of Inspection (COI) prior to operating. Additionally, starting July 20, 2018, a portion of existing towing vessels will have one year to meet all of Subchapter M and obtain COIs. By July 19, 2022, 100 percent of the towing vessels must have valid COIs on board. Owners or managing…

07 Jan 2014

Notice of Arrival Requirements for Yachts over 300 Gross Tons

This bulletin addresses the Notice Of Arrival requirements for privately owned yachts arriving to the U.S. 1. Under Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations, part 160.202 and160.203, foreign recreational vessels over 300 GT are required to file a Notice of Arrival (NOA) with the National Vessel Movement Center (NVMC) prior to arrival into the US. 2. There has been some confusion by vessel operators concerning how “Cruising Licenses” issued by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) relate to the Notice of Arrival requirements.

31 Oct 2013

Nontank Vessel Response Plan Final Rule

The "Nontank Vessel Response Plans and Other Response Plan Requirements" (NTVRP) final rule, which was published in the Federal Register on September 30, 2013, requires vessel owners or operators of nontank vessels 400 gross tons and above to prepare and submit oil spill response plans for vessels operating on the navigable waters of the United States. Additionally, the final rule requires the submission of a Vessel Response Plan (VRP) Control Number with the vessel’s advance notice of arrival. Since August 2008, the Coast Guard has been enforcing the statutory requirement to prepare and submit oil spill response plans for nontank vessels 1,600 gross tons or greater and has been issuing 2-year Interim Operating Authorization (IOA) letters to demonstrate compliance. Effective Date Vs.

15 Oct 2013

USCG Grants Certificate Extension for Some Commercial Ships

Photo: USCG

Due to the lapse in government funding, the U.S. Coast Guard announced Tuesday that it will allow commercial vessels engaged in domestic voyages between ports in the United States or its possessions to operate with an expired certificate of documentation as long as they are in compliance with all other requirements for operation. Vessel owners should submit their renewal application to the National Vessel Documentation Center as appropriate using normal submittal procedures. These applications will be processed as soon as the lapse in appropriations ends.

19 Aug 2013

U.S. Coast Alert

VRP Service Disruptions September 2 and 5-9, 2013. The VRP program will be transitioning to the new Coast Guard Headquarters building September 5th  through September 9th, 2013. As a result, there will be a disruption to VRP service during this time. Staff will not have access to computers or phones. Additionally, September 2nd is a federal holiday, limiting VRP staff availability to September 3rd and 4th that week. Please plan ahead to ensure that all upcoming submissions are made in a timely manner. Telephone numbers will remain the same.

31 Dec 2012

USCG Marine Safety Alert 05-12

Pressure Switch Location for Fixed Fire Suppression Systems Where's yours located? This safety alert addresses the location of fire suppression system pressure switches aboard vessels. These critical components sense the activation of the system and then electrically secures the ventilation systems operating in the protected space. Securing the ventilation is essential in extinguishing a fire onboard a vessel. It assists in isolating the fire within the space, minimizes the introduction of additional oxygen to fuel the fire and prevents the loss of fire suppression agents from the space.

21 Jun 2012

USCG Safety Alert: Recreational Diving from Commercial Platforms ...

United States Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy Marine Safety Advisory 01-12 June 21, 2012 Washington, DC; Recommendations for Recreational Diving Operations Occurring from Commercial Passenger Vessels. This advisory is addressed to Passenger Vessel Operators, Owners and Crewmembers providing commercial transport and support services to recreational divers, and reminds them of safety responsibilities to themselves and their passengers. Additionally, this advisory is intended to provide recommendations and lessons learned from recreational diving casualty investigations, and promote awareness of industry best practices.

23 May 2012

Coast Guard Recognizes Industry's Environmental Excellence

The U.S. Coast Guard announced the award recipients for the 2012 Biennial Rear Admiral William M. Benkert, Marine Environmental Protection Award for Excellence at the American Petroleum Institute Tanker Conference in Orlando, Fla. The winner of the Osprey award went to APL Co. Pte. Ltd. based out of Singapore in the large vessel category. The winners for the Gold award went to AEP River Operations based out of St. Louis and Holland America based out of Seattle in the foreign vessel category. Ingram Marine Group based out of Nashville, Tenn., Matson Navigation based out of Oakland, Calif., and Marathon Petroleum Co. based out of Tampa, Fla., were winners in the large vessel category. Winners for the Silver award in the large vessel category went to Maersk Line Ltd. based out of Baltimore.