The Coast Guard has published Marine Safety Information Bulletin 07-23, to provide notice that an American Samoan may be eligible for a U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).
Source: USCG
Link: MSIB: Eligibility of American Samoans for U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
Policy Letter 21-01 and CVC-WI-014(1) will be cancelled on December 31, 2023, at which time all new engines installed on ships must comply with applicable MARPOL Annex VI Reg 13 Tier III requirements.
Source: USCG
Link: Notice of upcoming cancellation of CVC-WI-014(1) and CG-CVC Policy Letter 21-01 (Change 1), regarding enforcement of MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 13.5.1.2.
The U.S. Coast Guard recently published a Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB 6-23) and NMC bulletin explaining that it is experiencing delays in the production of merchant mariner credentials (MMCs).
Source: USCG
Link: Information on delays in the production of merchant mariner credentials
The U.S. Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that the National Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee will conduct a series of meetings May 23-25 to review, discuss, and make recommendations to the Secretary on matters relating to Marine Casualty investigation cases related to Personal Flotation Devices (PFD), Cold Water, and Falls Overboard. The meetings will be open to the public.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Federal Register Notice: National Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee; May 2023 meetings
The Coast Guard’s Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance is pleased to announce the release of the U.S. Port State Control Annual Report for 2022.
Source: USCG
Link: 2022 Port State Control Annual Report Posted
The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing is holding the 4 th meeting of the National Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee (NMEDMAC) on April 25 – 26, 2023 at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, 17220 Piney Point Rd., Piney Point, MD, 20674.
Source: USCG
Link: National Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee Meeting #4
The U.S. Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that it is seeking input from the public on the Maritime Oil-spill Response Plan Advisory Group recommendations for changes to the Coast Guard’s Vessel Response Plan program and policies.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Federal Register Notice: Request for information on Coast Guard Vessel Response Plan and Maritime Oil-Spill Response Plan Advisory Group (MORPAG) recommendations
The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that it is amending its Risk Group A facility regulations so that their provisions to implement Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) electronic inspection requirements by May 8, 2023, is changed to May 8, 2026.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Final Rule: Transportation Worker Identification Credential-facility reader requirement; conforming amendment
The Coast Guard has published Marine Safety Information Bulletin 05-23, Fire Safety on Small Passenger Vessels, which encourages owners and operators to do a self-assessment of the fire safety of their vessel(s).
Source: USCG
Link: MSIB: Fire safety on small passenger vessels
The Coast Guard Inspections and Compliance Directorate has released Marine Safety Information Bulletin 04-23, to advise mariners that an increasing number of break-bulk and retrofitted bulk carriers are arriving in the U.S. carrying wind turbine parts stowed in a manner that substantially limits visibility from the navigation bridge.
Source: USCG
Link: MSIB: Reduced Visibility from the Navigation Bridge