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National Vessel Documentation Center News

17 Mar 2020

USCG National Vessel Documentation Center Suspends Walk-In Service.

The National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) made this announcement regarding changes to its operations in light of the growing COVID-19 threat:The National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and, as the situation evolves, is prepared to adjust operations accordingly. During this time of heightened concern, and in response to recommendations from the CDC regarding precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the NVDC will be suspending walk-in customer service until further notice.Customers are reminded that there are several options available for submitting applications and amplifying documentation; via e-mail (.pdf filing), fax, and USPS.

23 Jan 2019

Inland River Cruising: 2019 Will Be Busy

The American Song (CREDIT: ACL)

One year ago, we reported on vacation river cruising, presenting an industry mostly on the optimistic side of growth and expansion for 2018. This year’s review is more geographically limited – to the Mississippi River, heartland cruises centered among New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis and St. Paul – but with links important for a lot of smaller cities in between.Big picture:This industry is strong, at least among its two major players: American Cruise Lines and the American Queen Steamboat Company. Both have extensive and varied schedules for 2019.

07 Jan 2014

Finding New Ways to Finance Jones Act Vessel Builds

James A. Kearns

Sustaining the ongoing boatbuilding boom can involve the lawful use of foreign finance streams. James Kearns takes a closer look at the practice. The citizenship requirements for vessels engaged in the U.S. coastwise trade are generally well-known. Such a vessel needs to be built in the United States; it must have a U.S. citizen crew or operator; and its ownership must meet specified U.S. citizenship requirements, depending on the form of legal entity owning the vessel (corporation, limited liability company, partnership, etc.).

16 Oct 2013

Appropriations Lapse Halts USCG Certification Renewal

Due to the Federal Government’s lapse in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2014, the Coast Guard is unable to process commercial vessel Certificates of Documentation (COD) to ensure that all commercial vessels receive their renewed CODs before their current documentation expires. The vessels most likely impacted by this situation are those commercial vessels with CODs which expire between October 1, 2013 and November 30, 2013. For commercial vessels engaged in domestic voyages between ports in the United States or its possessions…

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.

02 Oct 2013

NVDC Restricted Under Government Shutdown

Due to the government shutdown, the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) will be operating under restricted conditions. All commercial vessel related business will be suspended until the government resumes operations. Recreational fee funding has not been affected; therefore, the limited number of onsite staff will be focused on processing recreational vessel applications. The NVDC recognizes the impact this government shutdown may have on our maritime industry and customers - particularly the commercial portion of the industry.

26 Jun 2013

Horizon Lines Plan Diesel/LNG Engine Fuel Conversions

Horizon Lines Ship: Photo courtesy of Horizon Lines

Horizon Lines plans to convert the power plants on two of its steam turbine cargo vessels to modern diesel engines capable of burning conventional liquid fuels or liquefied natural gas (LNG). "We are viewing this as the first step in a repowering initiative for Horizon Lines vessels serving in the Hawaii and Puerto Rico trade lanes," said Sam Woodward, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The two initial steam vessels targeted for the planned repowering are structurally viable for the conversion from steam-powered to dual diesel/LNG engines.

27 Feb 2004

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. Affected vessels are cargo vessels of 500 gross tons and over and passenger vessels that carry more than 12 passengers when either type vessel is engaged on an international voyage. The Coast Guard has also developed a form for Amendments to the CSR. 69 Fed. Reg. 9206 (February 27, 2004).

29 Sep 2004

USCG Information re Damaged Vessels

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Notice advising owners of vessels destroyed or severely damaged in the recent spate of hurricanes how to obtain information regarding their vessels from the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC). (HK Law)

16 Jan 2007

U.S. Labor Seeks Ban on Some Foreign Ship Parts

The Metal Trades Department of the AFL-CIO has sued the U.S. Coast Guard over allowing domestic shipyards to use preassembled foreign ship parts and engines, Ron Ault, president of the MTD, said on Tuesday. Preassembled ship parts require little or no assembly at U.S. shipyards, and cut the need for U.S. labor at these yards, he told Reuters in an interview. MTD, a trade department of the American federation of labor unions, coordinates negotiating, organizing and legislative efforts of affiliated metal-working and related crafts and trade unions. Angela McArdle, a U.S. Coast Guard spokeswoman, said it was the Coast Guard's policy not to comment on pending litigation. MTD's suit, filed late last week in the U.S.

12 Jan 2007

AFL-CIO Sues Coast Guard to Block Kit Ships

The Metal Trades Department of the AFL-CIO has sued the U.S. Coast Guard to block controversial rulings that violate the 80-year-old Jones Act to allow U.S. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, charges that a ruling issued on May 24, 2006 and affirmed on November 15, 2006 by the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center, ignores the requirements of the Jones Act that stipulate that ships moving between U.S. ports must be "built in" the U.S. Shipyards Philadelphia (APSI) and NASSCO, a division of General Dynamics, to produce a series of tankers that are assembled from thousands of parts and modules imported from Korea.

27 Nov 2006

Study: Title Issues Abound in Maritime Deals

ownership records contain potential title issues. the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) registry. title ownership from the time it’s built, or first placed under U.S. documentation. transfers, some claims-of-lien notices and mortgages. registry and unsatisfied claims. at one time. Coast Guard’s ownership records. had liens filed that were unsatisfied. fire,” said Victor I. Title Insurance Company. said Paul B. Erickson of the law firm Alley, Maass, Rogers and Lindsay. vessel until after purchasing it. to delayed filings of documents. at least 30 days after the date of execution. mortgages. lenders involved in these transactions,” said John N. Company. vessel ownership and the seller’s ability to transfer the title.

02 Sep 1999

Regional Examination Centers on Borrowed Time

The USCG currently admits its Regional Examination Centers (RECs) are broken and don't provide the service needed to the maritime public. The USCG believes drastic measures are needed to change the system enough so they can repair it and make it more workable. Unfortunately, the drastic modifications proposed do not seem to address what are perceived as problems by maritime users of the RECs. While many in the USCG indicate no final decisions have been made, it certainly appears the USCG fully intends to privatize the license/Merchant Mariner's Document (MMD) examinations as a first step toward closing all RECs and centralizing all administrative processing at one location nationwide.

21 Mar 2000

Barge Numbering System Proposal Status

Outside of the requirements outlined in OPA 90, there typically aren't many regulations affecting the barge industry. One still-pending piece of legislation is the proposal of undocumented barge numbering. The Abandoned Barge Act of 1992 added a new chapter and amended another chapter, requiring the numbering of undocumented barges measuring more than 100 gt operating on the navigable waters of the U.S. In enacting the legislation, Congress noted an abandoned barge could become the site for the disposal of hazardous cargoes, wastes and petroleum products, which could lead to water pollution incidents. According to the USCG, numbering these undocumented barges will increase owner accountability…