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

The Coast Guard proposes new base pilotage rates and surcharges using the methodology instituted in 2016. The changes would take effect 30 days after publication of a final rule. Rates for pilotage services on the Great Lakes were last revised in March 2016 and, by law, must be reviewed annually.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 10/19/2016: Proposed rulemaking – Great Lakes pilotage rates

The Navigation Safety Advisory Council will meet in Tampa, Florida, Nov. 2 and 3, 2016, to discuss matters relating to maritime collisions, rammings, and groundings, Inland Rules of the Road, International Rules of the Road, navigation regulations and equipment, routing measures, marine information, diving safety and aids to navigation systems.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 10/18/2016: Navigation Safety Advisory Council meeting

The October edition of Waves on the Waterfront is now available!
Source: Investigations & Casualty Analysis
Link: 10/11/2016: October edition of Waves on the Waterfront now available

It has been one year since the tragic loss of the cargo ship El Faro and her 33 crew members. I encourage everyone in the maritime community to take a few moments to remember them, and reflect on the hazards faced by all seafarers. This is an extremely difficult milestone for the families and loved ones. My thoughts continue to be with them.
Source: Domestic Vessels
Link: 10/3/2016: Remembering El Faro

The Coast Guard announced an upcoming meeting of the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee. The meeting will take place in Leesburg, Virginia, and will be open to the public.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 9/29/2016: National Maritime Security Advisory Committee meeting

The Coast Guard Marine Safety Center (MSC) celebrates its 30th anniversary on Sept. 9, 2016.
Source: Domestic Vessels
Link: 9/9/2016: 30th anniversary of the Marine Safety Center

The Coast Guard posted a notice announcing the availability of transcripts from the first hearing of the El Faro Marine Board of Investigation (MBI), held in February 2016.
Source: Investigations & Casualty Analysis
Link: 9/7/2016: El Faro Marine Board of Investigation – Transcripts available from first public hearing