TVIB News U.S. Coast Guard

USCG: CG-CVC 17-10 Deficiency Recording and Reporting for Vessels Using a Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) Option

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11/28/2017

The Coast Guard Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance issued Policy Letter 17-10 Deficiency Recording and Reporting for Vessels Using A Towing Vessels Using a Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) Option.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy letter is to provide guidance to the Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise (NCOE), Officer(s) in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI), Third Party Organizations (TPO), and the marine industry on the recording and reporting of deficiencies and non-conformities on vessels whose owners have chosen to use the TSMS option.

Click here to download CG-CVC 17-10

USCG D8: Certificates of Alternative Compliance (COAC) for Day Shapes

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The U.S. Coast Guard’s Eighth District is prepared to issue Certificates of Alternative Compliance (COAC) to inland towing vessels for which day shapes are an unnecessary requirement when they utilize technology to facilitate effective communication during emergencies. The AWO and industry leaders raised concerns with the Commander of the Eight District about day shapes being obsolete in the presence of technological improvements for safety and communication.

For a company to obtain a COAC, they should submit a written request to the Eighth Coast Guard District Chief of Prevention. COACs are intended for inland towing vessels operating exclusively on Internal Waters as defined in 33 CFR 2.24 within the Eighth Coast Guard District as defined by 33 CFR 3.40-1(b). The request must be accompanied with additional information as noted in the July 19, 2017 letter RADM Callahan to the AWO.

Click here to download the Day Shapes letter.

 

SAFETY ALERT 10-17: Carbon Monoxide

Written by

09/25/2017

Excerpt from U.S. Coast Guard Safety Alert 10-17

Recently along the Gulf Coast multiple passengers on board an uninspected passenger vessel (UPV) were hospitalized due to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. One of the persons had a 26% CO level (amount of CO bound to hemoglobin or red blood cells) in their blood stream. Additionally, it was discovered that one of the passengers became unconscious and the other four passengers experienced heavy fatigue and vomiting as a result of the CO exposure.

Coast Guard Marine Inspectors conducted an exam of the vessel and found it to be in compliance with the ventilation requirements set forth in 46 CFR Subchapter C as they pertain to UPVs. The Coast Guard team then requested that the master get underway in order to take readings with a personal four gas meter. While underway the meter indicated significantly high parts per million CO in the vessel’s fishing area, the flying bridge, and interior cabin spaces. The team directed the master to cease all operations until the causal factors behind the hazardous condition could be addressed and corrected.

Click here to download Safety Alert 10-17