A new training program is available for vessels mandated to comply with a set of EPA discharge requirements: the Vessel General Permit or VGP. It was recently announced that the Coast Guard will monitor compliance with the EPA regulations during regular vessel boarding and inspections.
Maritime Training Services and QSE Solutions released a new DVD Training Program called “Vessel General Permit: Protecting the Marine Environment.” The training program includes a video, training guide, all-in-one sample inspection form, review exercise and certificate of completion for both shore-side and vessel personnel.
The 15 minute video provides a general overview and understanding of the VGP necessary for shore-side managers and vessel officers. The training guide describes the details or “nuts and bolts” to ensure VGP compliance onboard the vessel, especially coming into U.S. waters.
The objective of the training program is to provide a simple yet practical approach to a complex subject that allows both vessel operators and crews to integrate the inspection, monitoring and reporting required by VGP into their ongoing best practices, and/or their existing Safety Management Systems.
Maritime customers are dealing with an increasing amount of environmental regulation and paperwork and this program makes it easier to understand the steps necessary to achieve compliance and how to effectively manage the process.
The producers of Vessel General Permit had strong support and participation from the
Washington State Ferry System and the Washington State Department of Ecology.
The video is subtitled in English, Spanish, French and Russian.