Category: News

The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that it has received approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an information collection request associated with the interim rule requirements for fire safety on certain covered small passenger vessels.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Interim Rule: Fire safety of small passenger vessels; OMB approval of information collection request

The Coast Guard published a Final Rule in the Federal Register on March 16, 2023, to update the electrical engineering regulations for commercial vessels in 46 CFR Subchapter J, Parts 110-113. 
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Final Rule – Update to electrical engineering regulations  

The National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee will conduct a series of meetings over three days in New Orleans, LA, to discuss issues relating to personnel in the United States Merchant Marine including the training, qualifications, certification, documentation, and fitness of mariners.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Federal Register Notice: National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee; March 2023 meetings

The Department of State announced in the Federal Register it will conduct a public meeting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, both in-person at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC, and via Microsoft Teams. The primary purpose of the meeting is to prepare for the 10th session of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Pollution Prevention and Response Sub-Committee (PPR 10) to be held in London, United Kingdom from April 24 to 28, 2023.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Federal Register Notice: Public meeting in preparation for International Maritime Organization PPR 10 meeting

The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register the establishment of new base pilotage rates for the 2023 shipping season. This rule will adjust the pilotage rates to account for changes in district operating expenses, an increase in the number of pilots, and anticipated inflation. These changes, when combined, result in a 16-percent net increase in pilotage costs compared to the 2022 season.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Final Rule: Great Lakes Pilotage Rates-2023 Annual Ratemaking and Review of Methodology

This final rule makes non-substantive technical, organizational, and conforming amendments to existing Coast Guard regulations. This rule is a continuation of our practice of periodically issuing rules to keep our regulations up-to-date and accurate. This rule will have no substantive effect on the regulated public.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Final Rule: Navigation and Navigable Waters, and Shipping; Technical, Organizational, and Conforming Amendment

The Coast Guard has announced in the Federal Register that the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee will meet virtually to review and discuss on matters relating to national maritime security, including on enhancing the sharing of information related to cybersecurity risks that may cause a transportation security incident, between relevant Federal agencies and State, local, and tribal governments; relevant public safety and emergency response agencies; relevant law enforcement and security organizations; maritime industry; port owners and operators; and terminal owners and operators.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Federal Register Notice: National Maritime Security Advisory Committee; March 2023 Virtual Meeting

As announced in the Federal Register, the Department of State and Coast Guard will conduct a public meeting at 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2023, by way of Microsoft Teams meeting to prepare for the ninth session of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE 9). SSE 9 will be held at IMO headquarters, London, United Kingdom, from February 27 to March 3, 2023.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Federal Register Notice: Public meeting in preparation for International Maritime Organization SSE 9 meeting

The Coast Guard is scheduled to conduct a formal hearing starting Thursday, Jan. 26, in Virginia Beach to consider evidence related to the fire and total constructive loss of the passenger vessel Spirit of Norfolk.
Source: Investigations & Casualty Analysis
Link: Coast Guard to convene public hearing into fire, total constructive loss of the passenger vessel Spirit of Norfolk

The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that it is withdrawing the proposed rule entitled “Commercial Diving Operations” published in the Federal Register on February 19, 2015.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Federal Register Notice: Commercial Diving Operations