The Coast Guard seeks comments on an extension of its approval for the collection of information regarding characteristics of liquid chemicals proposed for bulk water movement.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 12/27/2016: Information collection request to Office of Management and Budget – Characteristics of liquid chemicals proposed for bulk water movement

The Towing Safety Advisory Committee will meet, via teleconference, to discuss the five current tasks of the Committee. The Towing Safety Advisory Committee will meet, via teleconference, to discuss the five current tasks of the Committee.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 12/23/2016: Towing Safety Advisory Committee meeting – January 2017

The Coast Guard is temporarily suspending the promulgation of the Alternative Planning Criteria (APC) National Guidelines in order to re-open the public comment period for an additional 90 days. Existing APCs and related ACP acceptance policy will remain in effect over the course of this comment period. Existing APCs will be renewed such that the maritime industry is afforded an adequate and reasonable period of time to comply with the new policy, once released.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 12/21/2016: Comment period to re-open for Alternative Planning Criteria National Guidelines

The Coast Guard published Marine Safety Advisory 17-16 to bring attention to a problem with cracks on the cooling jacket, specifically MAN B&W, that have been linked to steering and propulsion casualties. All vessel owners, operators and engineers are encouraged to view this alert.
Source: Investigations & Casualty Analysis
Link: 12/16/2016: Safety alert – MAN B&W Cooling Jacket Failures

Today, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will release a transcript of the S.S. El Faro’s voyage data recorder (VDR), in addition to several other factual reports, to the docket for its investigation into the October 1, 2015, sinking of the vessel. To date, the Coast Guard has conducted two rounds of public hearings as part of our Marine Board of Investigation into the loss of El Faro, and a third hearing is scheduled for Feb. 2017, in Jacksonville. This final hearing session will examine additional elements of the investigation, including but not limited to questions arising from the contents of the El Faro’s VDR, as well as additional witnesses such as former crewmembers, TOTE company officials, Coast Guard personnel and others.
Source: Investigations & Casualty Analysis
Link: 12/13/2016: Release of VDR transcripts, upcoming hearing – A note from the El Faro Marine Board of Investigation (MBI)

A public formal marine investigation to look into the sinking of the fishing vessel Alaska Juris, has been set for Monday, December 5 in Seattle.
Source: Investigations & Casualty Analysis
Link: 12/2/2016: Formal Marine Investigation into sinking of F/V Alaska Juris set for Dec. 5

Each year, the Coast Guard, in partnership with the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), Mystic Aquarium and the Inter-American Committee on Ports of the Organization of American States (OAS-CIP), sponsors a student art program with themes that relate to the marine environment. Check out the winners of the contest!
Source: Investigations & Casualty Analysis
Link: 11/28/2016: ‘Ships Bring the World to Us’ student art program winners

The Coast Guard seeks comment on a notice of proposed rulemaking that would add the new Polar Ship Certificate to the list of certificates required to be carried on board all U.S. and foreign-flagged vessels subject to SOLAS which operate in Arctic and Antarctic waters. The proposal also enables recognized classification societies to issue these certificates on behalf of the Coast Guard.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 11/22/2016: Proposed Rulemaking – Polar Ship certificates

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 11/4/2016: National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee vacancies

The Coast Guard announces that it has received approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an information collection request associated with the Requirements for Vessels with Registry Endorsements or Foreign-Flagged Vessels that Perform Certain Aquaculture Support Operations final rule we published in the Federal Register on September 15, 2016.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 10/21/2016: Update to requirements for vessels with registry endorsements or foreign-flagged vessels that perform certain aquaculture support operations