Today, we mark the somber anniversary of the sinking of the SS El Faro and the loss of the 33 men and women on board on October 1, 2015. It is appropriate to pause and reflect on this tragic and preventable accident, and challenge ourselves to ensure we are all taking action needed to prevent future casualties.
Source: Investigations & Casualty Analysis
Link: 10/1/2018: Remembering El Faro

The Coast Guard published a Final Rule eliminating the requirement for certain vessels that operate on voyages exclusively within a single Captain of the Port Zone to submit an Annual Ballast Water Summary Report for calendar year 2018. The final rule is effective Oct. 1, 2018.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 9/19/2018: Final Rule – Ballast water management annual reporting requirement

The National Boating Safety Advisory Council and its Subcommittees will meet October 18-20 in Cape May, New Jersey, to discuss issues relating to recreational boating safety. These meetings will be open to the public.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 9/18/2018: National Boating Safety Advisory Council meeting scheduled

The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee and its subcommittees will meet in Houston, Texas, September 10-11, to discuss matters relating to the safety of operations and other matters affecting the offshore oil and gas industry. All meetings will be open to the public.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 8/22/2018: National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee meeting scheduled

The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that it is seeking public comment on a policy letter to harmonize personal flotation device (PFD) standards between the United States and Canada by accepting a new standard for approval of PFDs.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 8/20/2018: Lifejacket approval harmonization

The Office of Investigation and Analysis released Marine Safety Alert 13-18 to alert mariners about reports regarding poor reception on VHF frequencies used for radiotelephone, digital selective calling (DSC) and automatic identification systems (AIS) when in the vicinity of light emitting diode (LED) on-board ships (e.g., navigation lights, searchlights and floodlights, interior and exterior lights, adornment). Radio frequency interference caused by these LED lamps was found to create potential safety hazards.
Source: Investigations & Casualty Analysis
Link: 8/16/2018: Marine Safety Alert – Potential interference of VHF-FM radio and AIS reception

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking public comment on its request for an extension of its approval for the collection of information involving Adequacy Certification for Reception Facilities and Advance notice – 33 CFR part 158, without change. Comments much reach the Coast Guard and the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs by September 13, 2018.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 8/14/2018: Notice requesting comments on Information Collection Request regarding Adequacy Certification for Reception Facilities

The U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit an Information Collection Request to the Office of Management and Budget for an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0113, Crewmember Identification Documents, without change. The Coast Guard is requesting comments from the public by October 15, 2018, before it submits its extension request.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 8/14/2018: Notice requesting comments on Information Collection Request regarding Crewmember Identification Documents

The Coast Guard will cease the rebroadcast of HYDROLANT and HYDROPAC navigational warnings over High Frequency Simplex Teletype Over Radio service as of Aug. 30, 2018.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 8/8/2018: Termination of U.S. Coast Guard rebroadcast of HYDROLANT and HYDROPAC information

The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee and its working groups will meet September 11-12 to discuss various issues related to personnel in the United States Merchant Marine, including training, qualifications, certification, documentation, and fitness standards. The meetings will be open to the public.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 8/8/2018: Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee meeting scheduled