USCG – Seafarers Shore Access

The US Coast Guard issued internal guidance directing its Captains of the Port (COTPs) to encourage, support, and facilitate vigorously any accommodations at regulated facilities, including but not limited to escort provisions, to make shore leave and access to seafarer welfare organizations possible.

These accommodations should not impose an undue burden on the seafarer or seafarer welfare organization representative seeking access by way of exorbitant fees, extreme limitations in hours of availability, or other unreasonable restriction to the movement of these persons unless exigent, confirmed security concerns dictate such restriction is necessary.

(Source: Holland & Knight)