Volume III of the Marine Safety Manual provides information and interpretations on international conventions and U.S. statutes and regulations relating to marine industry personnel.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 7/14/2017: Marine Safety Manual, Volume III Change-2, Marine Industry Personnel now available

The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that it is issuing new tasking to five federal advisory committees to help the agency identify existing regulations, guidance, and collections of information (that fall within the scope of each committee’s charter) for possible repeal, replacement, or modification.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 7/14/2017: Coast Guard seeks assistance from five federal advisory committees on regulatory evaluations

The Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee working group will meet via teleconference to work on Task Statement 25, review of the draft Merchant Mariner Medical Manual, to complete the discussions from its April 4-5, and May 8, 2017 meetings.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 7/13/2017: Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee meeting

The Office of Port and Facility Compliance encourages public comment through the Federal Register on a draft Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular that provides clarification and guidance on implementing a cyber risk management governance program.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 7/12/2017: 60-day public comment period opens for draft NVIC addressing cyber risk at MTSA facilities

The Coast Guard is considering applications for seven positions on the Council that expire or become vacant Jan. 1, 2018.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 6/30/2017: National Boating Safety Advisory Council vacancies

In 2016, the U.S. Coast Guard promulgated an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to seek comprehensive public input and examine whether there is a need for a proposed rule on new anchorage grounds on the Hudson River to promote safe navigation. After a review of the comments, Rear Adm. Steven Poulin, Commander of the First Coast Guard District, suspended future rulemaking decisions and directed a formal risk identification and evaluation of the Hudson River, known as a Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment. This post provides information on the PAWSA process as well as insight into the Coast Guard’s decision to suspend rule-making activities.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 6/29/2017: Coast Guard to conduct Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment on Hudson River

The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee announced in the Federal Register the scheduling of teleconferences in July and August to continue work from its spring meetings. The purpose will be to continue workgroup discussions on Tasks 96 and 98.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 6/26/2017: Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee meetings in July, August

This policy letter provide guidance to the Officer(s) in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) and Coast Guard marine inspectors as well as the towing industry on how to obtain initial COIs for greater than the percentage of the towing vessels outlined in 46 CFR 136.202 of 46 CFR Subchapter M.
Source: Domestic Vessels
Link: 6/15/2017: New policy letter on Subchapter M implementation

The Coast Guard is accepting comments through July 10, 2017 on regulations you believe should be repealed, replaced, or modified.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 6/8/2017: Evaluation of existing Coast Guard regulations, guidance documents, interpretative documents, and collections of information

The Office of Investigations and Analysis issued Safety Alert 06-17 to warn mariners of the risks associated with fuel spray. This safety alert addresses yet another fuel spray fire onboard a commercial vessel. These types of incidents, involving fuel leakages […] Source: Investigations & Casualty Analysis
Link: 6/6/2017: Safety alert 06-17 Fuel Spray Fire – Déjà Vu