Category: News

The Coast Guard is evaluating the potential use of Safety Management Systems (SMSs) to improve safety and reduce marine casualties on board U.S.-flagged passenger vessels. The Coast Guard is seeking public input and responses to specific questions on the feasibility, applicability, and nature of SMSs for potential use on U.S.-flagged passenger vessels. Comments and related material must be received on or before April 15, 2021.
Source: Domestic Vessels
Link: Notice of proposed Rulemaking: Safety Management Systems for Domestic Passenger Vessels

The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register the re-solicitation of applications from persons interested in membership on the National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (Committee) to represent the viewpoint of those credentialed with ratings as a qualified member of the engine department.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Federal Register Notice: National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee; Vacancy

As a courtesy to our audience, Maritime Commons will provide a daily compilation of nationally-relevant Federal Register Notices, or those notices that may impact a large segment of our readers. To provide […] Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Federal Register Notice: Guidelines for Obtaining STCW Endorsements for Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations

The Coast Guard has announced in the Federal Register that it is removing the conditions of entry on vessels arriving from the country of the Republic of Liberia.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Port Security Advisory (2-20) Liberia

The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register a proposed rule to enable electronic submission of Operations Manuals and Emergency Manuals and electronic communication between the operators of regulated facilities and the Coast Guard, reducing the time and cost associated with mailing and processing printed manuals.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Notice of proposed rulemaking: Electronic Submission of Facility Operations and Emergency Manuals

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) announce their intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Blue Marlin Offshore port license application. Blue Marlin Offshore Port, LLC proposes the construction and operation of a deepwater port that would be located approximately 99 statute miles off the coast of Cameron Parish, Louisiana.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Notice of Public Scoping Meeting for the Blue Marlin Offshore Port License Application

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced in the Federal Register a framework for a phased resumption of cruise ship passenger operations.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Framework for Conditional Sailing and Initial Phase COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Protection of Crew

The Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has published Policy Letter 20-02: “Inspection Guidance For High Risk Small Passenger Vessels” to provide Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) with inspection guidance for high risk small passenger vessel (SPV) inspection.
Source: Domestic Vessels
Link: Policy Letter: Inspection guidance for high risk small passenger vessels

The Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has published Policy Letter 20-03: “Carriage of Lithium-Ion Batteries on Small Passenger Vessels” to provide guidance regarding carriage of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries on small passenger vessels […] Source: Domestic Vessels
Link: Policy letter: Carriage of lithium-ion batteries on small passenger vessels

The Coast Guard has announced in the Federal Register the availability of CG-OES Policy Letter 02-20, Commercial Diving Operations—Equivalent Levels of Safety.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: Commercial Diving Operations-Equivalent Levels of Safety Policy Letter