The Coast Guard Marine Safety Center received its tenth application for Ballast Water Management System type approval for the BIO-SEA B Ballast Water Management System manufactured by BIO-UV Group.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/13/2018: Tenth application received for BWMS type approval

This biennial award serves to highlight and recognize outstanding achievements and contributions of the maritime community with regards to implementation of Maritime Transportation Security Act requirements and other maritime security best practices in safeguarding our nation’s Marine Transportation System.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/13/2018: Winners of Rear Adm. Bennis award for excellence in maritime security announced

The implications of VRP activation are significant and a clear understanding is essential. Failure to activate a plan quickly or failure to use pre-contracted resources can result in delayed response and exacerbate potential environmental damages. In this post, we will attempt to clarify when plan activation occurs and which situations require plan activation.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/13/2018: Activating a Vessel Response Plan

Rear Adm. Nadeau’s remarks focused on Port State Control for the past year and ballast water management compliance and extensions. Nadeau said his goal is to ensure a safe, secure, and efficient Marine Transportation System by focusing on oversight of recognized organizations, SMS effectiveness, cyber risk management, and future implications of autonomous vessels.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/12/2018: CMA Shipping 2018 – Summary of remarks by Asst Commandant for Prevention Policy Rear Adm. John Nadeau

Commandant of the Coast Guard Adm. Paul Zukunft and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Steven Cantrell will testify March 14 before the Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation Subcommittee.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/12/2018: Congressional hearing alert – Review of FY 2019 budget request

The campaign, scheduled to take place this spring, will involve interagency teams visiting multiple drilling and production units across the Gulf of Mexico. Teams will use a focused inspections protocol to evaluate safety, gather and provide data to BSEE’s Office of Safety Management.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/12/2018: Coast Guard, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement to begin focused crane inspection campaign

The training afforded numerous opportunities for open dialogue between local Coast Guard marine inspectors and class surveyors to raise awareness of key safety issues, critical equipment components, and common deficiencies found onboard liquefied gas vessels.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/12/2018: Liquefied Gas Carrier NCOE delivers training to LGC class society surveyors

The Coast Guard, working with its domestic and International Maritime Organization partners, submitted a proposal to IMO to amend Annex VI to allow vessels with a Tier II compliant engine to enter and depart the North American or Caribbean emission control areas provided the vessel was proceeding to or departing from a shipyard or other repair facility located in the ECAs. The amendments are expected to enter into force 1 Jan. 1, 2019.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/8/2018: MARPOL ANNEX VI – Removal of unintended impact to shipyards by North American Emissions Control Area implementation

The Coast Guard-American Waterways Operators Safety Partnership held its National Quality Steering Committee meeting Feb. 21, 2018, with an agenda focusing on the concerns of the partnership and industry. Industry representatives discussed a variety of issues facing the towing industry and the meeting also included a series of updates from workgroups and quality actions teams on the progress of new initiatives and policy/regulatory implementations.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/08/2018: Coast Guard-American Waterways Operators Steering Committee meeting

The amendment allows for an equivalency to vessels using an existing safety management system to provide three years of objective evidence in lieu of having a TSMS Certificate for six months prior to issuance of a vessel’s initial COI.
Source: USCG
Link: 3/8/2018: Amendment to Subchapter M policy letter on use of existing SMS to obtain initial COI