TVIB News News and Updates

On June 5, 2020, the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance published an update to CVC-WI-003(2). The document outlines the procedures for Coast Guard personnel to use in evaluating potential non-conformities and corrective action options. It covers the definition of “clear grounds” and steps for an “expanded exam.”

Purpose. This work instruction sets forth guidance for assessing the effectiveness of a company’s Safety Management System (SMS) on U.S. flag vessels through the following processes: • Evaluation of materiel deficiencies for potential SMS process failures; • Evaluation of SMS documentation (certificates, logs, maintenance records, etc.); • Compliance options following objective evidence of an SMS failure; and • Coast Guard oversight of SMS activities performed by Recognized Organizations (RO) and Third Party Organizations (TPO).

Action. Marine Inspectors (MI) and Investigating Officers (IO) that complete vessel inspections, examinations, or casualty investigations on U.S. flag vessels subject to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code as implemented by Title 33 CFR Part 96, including those vessels which comply on a voluntary basis (e.g. Military Sealift Command), should adhere to the guidance herein. For the purposes of this work instruction, a SMS, as defined under the ISM Code, is synonymous with a TSMS required under 46 CFR Part 138.1

Click here to download CVC-WI-003(2) USCG Oversight of Safety Management Systems on U.S. Flag Vessels.

Excerpt from Federal Register Notice – Vol 85, No. 102 05/27/2020

Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 155 [Docket No. USCG–2018–0493] RIN 1625–AC50 Person in Charge of Fuel Transfers AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is amending the requirements regulating personnel permitted to serve as a person in charge (PIC) of fuel oil transfers on an inspected vessel by adding the option of using a letter of designation (LOD) in lieu of a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) with a Tankerman-PIC endorsement. Obtaining an MMC with a Tankerman-PIC endorsement is now optional for PICs of fuel oil transfers on inspected vessels. This change is not limited to towing vessels, but one effect of this rule is that a PIC currently using the LOD option on an uninspected towing vessel may continue to do so once the vessel receives its Certificate of Inspection.

DATES: This final rule is effective May 27, 2020. CG–MMC Policy Letter 01–17 is cancelled effective May 27, 2020.

Excerpt from Federal Register Notice – Vol 85, No. 102 05/27/2020

PURPOSE. This Commandant Change Notice publishes a change to Use of Electronic Charts and Publications in Lieu of Paper Charts, Maps and Publications, Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular number 01-16, 16700.4.

MAJOR CHANGES. In response to recommendations from the Navigation Safety Advisory Council and the public, the Coast Guard updated its policy on electronic carriage of the Inland Navigation Rules and electronic publications in general. This Ch-2 to NVIC 01-16 revises the NVIC, Enclosure (1) and Enclosure (2) to allow electronic editions of the Inland Navigation Rules and Vessel Traffic Service Rules so long as operators are able to display ready reference current electronic editions on their electronic device without internet connectivity by a producing a previously downloaded copy. It also provides a path for mariners to access certain required publications which are not required to be ready reference via web services. Enclosure (2) is further updated to highlight which publications are required by existing regulations to be ready reference and removes the requirement for independent back-ups. Finally, Ch-2 makes non-substantive clarifying changes throughout the NVIC and enclosures.

Click here to download NVIC 01-16 Change 2 Use of Electronic Charts and Publications in Lieu of Paper Charts, Maps and Publications