Capt. Benjamin Hawkins, chief of the Office of Design and Engineering Standards, participated in the panel session “Autonomous Vessel Operations and Potential Implications for Safety” during the 97th Annual Transportation Safety Board meeting in Washington, DC, Jan. 7-11, 2018. This post offers a condensed version of his remarks, which focused on the regulatory perspective regarding autonomous vessels, for our readers who were unable to attend.
Source: Investigations & Casualty Analysis
Link: 1/22/2018: Coast Guard remarks on autonomous vessels at the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting –

The 2018 minimum random drug testing rate is set at 25 percent of covered crewmembers. The rate is effective January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 1/19/2018: 2018 random drug testing rate set for crewmembers of inspected and uninspected vessels

Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy Rear Adm. John Nadeau testified Jan. 17, 2018, before the House Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, during a hearing on the state of the U.S. flag maritime industry. Testifying alongside Nadeau was Maritime Administrator Rear Adm. Mark “Buz” Busby, U.S. Navy (Ret.). Nadeau’s verbal remarks focused on the Coast Guard’s responsibility to protect the 25,000 mile marine transportation system that supports 250,000 American jobs and $4.5 trillion of economic activity every year.
Source: Investigations & Casualty Analysis
Link: 1/19/2018: Summary of Congressional testimony on the state of U.S. flag maritime industry

The Coast Guard posted a Federal Register Notice proposing new base pilotage rates and surcharges for the 2018 shipping season, in accordance with the Great Lakes Pilotage Act of 1960. Additionally, the Coast Guard is proposing several changes to the Great Lakes pilotage ratemaking methodology.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 1/18/2018: Great Lakes Pilotage Rates-2018 annual review and revisions to methodology

This Marine Safety Advisory is to ensure mariners, marine employers, and sponsoring organizations are informed of recent changes to the Department of Transportation Drug Testing requirements. As the U.S. Coast Guard requires a DOT drug test, this MSA seeks to broadly communicate important changes effecting mariners, marine employers, and sponsoring organizations.
Source: Investigations & Casualty Analysis
Link: 1/18/2018: Marine Safety Advisory 01-18 Expansion of Dept. of Transportation drug screening to include semi-synthetic opiates

The Office of Port and Facility Compliance announced that the application deadline for the 2018 Biennial Rear Admiral William M. Benkert Environmental Protection Award is extended to January 26, 2018.
Source: Investigations & Casualty Analysis
Link: 1/11/2018: Admiral Benkert award submission deadline extended

Comments to the proposed changes and related material must reach the Coast Guard by January 22, 2018. Significant Coast Guard-specific revisions include changes to requirements associated with Remote Assessment and Consultation drills.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 1/10/2018: Don’t miss the January 22 deadline to submit comments on proposed changes to PREP guidelines

The SSC is seeking research ideas within four focus areas: 1) Structural Lifetime Extension; 2) Arctic Construction, Operations, Technologies, and Effects; 3) Composite Materials; and 4) SSC Follow-Up Report. All submissions much reach the SSC Executive Director by Feb. 28, 2018.
Source: Investigations & Casualty Analysis
Link: 1/9/2018: Ship Structure Committee soliciting research ideas for 2018 Project Year

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking applications for membership on the Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee. Both positions were previously advertised under Docket No. USCG–2017–0829 but no applications for either of the two positions were received. Completed applications should be submitted to the U.S. Coast Guard on or before February 26, 2018.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 12/27/2017: Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee seeks applications for membership

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking applicants for membership on the Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary on matters related to medical certification determinations affecting merchant mariners. Completed applications should be submitted to the U.S. Coast Guard on or before February 26, 2018.
Source: Federal Register Notices
Link: 12/26/2017: Request for applications for Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee