July 1, 2013, 8:57 am
The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) Subcommittee met on June 11 and 12, 2013 to work on Task Statement 83, entitled ''Development of competency requirements to meet the provisions of Table A-III/2 of the Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (1978), as amended (STCW), for personnel working on small vessels with high horsepower.'' This meeting was open to the public.
Written comments to be distributed to working group members and placed on MERPAC's Web site are due by May 28, 2013.
ADDRESSES: The working group will meet at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, Room 6103, 2100 Second St. SW., Washington, DC 20593.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Davis Breyer, Alternate Designated Federal Officer of MERPAC, telephone 202-372-1445. Davis.J.Breyer@uscg.mil.
July 1, 2013, 8:56 am
The Coast Guard announced Federal Register publication of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to revise regulations related to the design, certification, inspection, and testing of cranes. See attached.
Under the proposed rule, this revision would update industry standards incorporated by reference with more recent versions, which are used by industry and incorporated in Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) regulations. The US Coast Guard proposes to revise regulations related to the design, certification, inspection, and testing of cranes installed on mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs), offshore supply vessels (OSVs), and floating outer continental shelf (OCS) facilities. Additionally, in this rulemaking the Coast Guard proposes to revise regulations by allowing use of additional third-party organizations to act in lieu of Coast Guard marine inspectors. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by 12 August. 78 Fed. Reg. 27913 (May 13, 2013).
The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and related materials may be reviewed at http://www.regulations.gov
docket number: USCG-2011-0992.
For more information, please contact Mr. Ken Smith, CG-OES-2, Coast Guard at 202-372-1413; e-mail Ken.A.Smith@uscg.mil
July 1, 2013, 8:55 am
USCG - US vessel voluntary compliance with IEE
The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that it published a Policy Letter providing guidance for voluntary compliance by US-flag vessels with MARPOL Annex VI International Energy Efficiency (IEE) requirements. Vessels to which MARPOL applies are required to obtain an IEE Certificate. The Coast Guard has not yet promulgated regulations implementing the IEE requirements. In the interim, owners and operators of US-flag vessels may voluntarily obtain IEE Certificates in accordance with the policy letter guidelines. 78 Fed. Reg. 27982 (May 13, 2013).
Purpose. This policy letter provides interim guidance to ensure compliance with reference (a) by U.S. vessels required to hold MARPOL Annex VI IEE certificates until reference (b) is revised to reflect U.S. implementation. This policy letter also provides guidance for foreign vessels calling on U.S. ports. Reference (a) revises MARPOL Annex VI to include a new Chapter 4 and implements the mandatory requirements for a new International Energy Efficiency (IEE) Certificate and Shipboard Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP).
Questions concerning this policy and guidance should be directed to COMDT (CG-CVC-1), Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance, at CG-CVC-1@uscg.mil
This policy and other Domestic Vessel Policy documents are posted on Homeport at http://homeport.uscg.mil/USvsls
July 1, 2013, 8:31 am
Please pass to all interested industry members who are interested in serving on any of these NOSAC subcommittees!
NOSAC Subcommittees: Request for Public Participation!
At the fall meeting of the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC) on November 8, 2012, one new Subcommittee was formed to make recommendations to the Coast Guard. At the spring meeting of the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC) on April 18, 2013, five new Subcommittees were formed to make recommendations to the Coast Guard. NOSAC Subcommittees are made up of representatives from all facets of the offshore oil and gas industry and interested members from the general public. A brief description of each current subcommittee is listed below along with contact information for the Subcommittee Co-Chairs.
If you would like to participate in one or more of these subcommittees please contact one of the Subcommittee Co-Chairs and request to be added to the distribution. They are as follows;
Subcommittee on Recommended Standards for Accommodation Service Vessels On Feb 1, 2012 the Coast Guard published a Federal Register Notice requesting public comment on the most appropriate standards for design, construction and operation of all vessels providing accommodation services on the U.S. OCS. Co-Chairs are Ms. Patrice Delatte (email: pdelatte@tdw.com) and Mr. Jerry Dardar (email: jdardar@ckor.com).
Subcommittee on Recommended Standards for Additional Life Saving and Fire Fighting Requirements on the Outer Continental Shelf On Nov 23, 2012 the Coast Guard published a Federal Register Notice of Recommended Interim Voluntary Guidance recommending that operators of MODUs and manned offshore facilities conduct man overboard drills quarterly, carry a "for training only" davit launched inflatable life raft, carry a SOLAS approved rescue boat to retrieve a man overboard and marshal life rafts, amend life boat carrying capacities from 165 lbs per person and 17 inch seat width to 210 lbs per person and 21 inch seat width and install a fixed water deluge system to protect the drill floor and surrounding areas. Co-Chairs are Mr. Gene Facey (email: gfacey@msn.com) and Mr. Warren Weaver (email: warren.weaver@deepwater.com).
Subcommittee on Certification of Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Locations on Foreign MODUs on OCS On Dec 3, 2012 the Coast Guard published a Federal Register to reiterate CG policy that electrical equipment installed in hazardous locations on foreign flag MODUs that intend working on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) be tested and certified by a competent independent laboratory. Co-Chairs are Mr. Gene Facey (email: gfacey@msn.com) and Mr. Warren Weaver (email: warren.weaver@deepwater.com).
Subcommittee on Implementation of the International Labor Organization Maritime Labor Convention of 2006 This convention is a comprehensive standard that establishes seafarer's working and living conditions. It has a broad scope of application as it applies to vessels on international voyages and to a number of vessels engaged in domestic trade. The MLC leaves a large measure of flexibility to ratifying countries as to how they will implement the requirements. Co-Chairs are Ms. Patrice Delatte (email: pdelatte@tdw.com) and Mr. Grant Johnson (email: gjohnson@technip.com).
Subcommittee on the Safety Impact of Lift Boat Sea Service Limitations Mariners on Lift boats receive a one for three determination when in an elevated status for sea time in accordance with Coast Guard Policy Letter 09-01 that determines how to grant sea time on special vessels. Lift boats are included with Casino boats as special vessels. Co-Chairs are Mr. Paul Liberato (email: pliberato@comcast.net), Mr. Jerry Dardar (email: jdardar@ckor.com) and Mr. Phil Miller (email: philmiller0762@live.com).
Subcommittee on the Review of Marine Casualty Reporting and form CG-2692 revision The Coast Guard is undertaking several initiatives to improve its marine casualty reporting program including an electronic submission capability of reporting forms. Co-Chairs are Mr. Barry du Moulin (email: Barry_dumoulin@msn.com), Mr. Mike Marcom (email: mandadrilling@gmail.com) and Mr. Bill Crowley (email: auss@att.net).