USCG issues Marine Safety Information Bulletin
USCG has issued Marine Safety Information Bulletin a reminder of the Notice of Arrival and movement notification requirements for units on the U.S. OCS.
Under Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 146.202, the owner of any MODU engaged in OCS activities shall, 14 days before arrival of the unit on the OCS, notify the District Commander for the area in which the unit will operate. Once a unit is located on the OCS, the owner of the unit shall notify the District Commander before relocating. This information is similar, but in addition to, any Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) requirements found in 30 CFR 250.195.
Additionally, 33 CFR 146.103, 33 CFR 146.104, 33 CFR 146.215 and 33 CFR 146.405, require a MODU, vessel and/or floating facility, at least 96 hours before arrival1 on the OCS from a foreign port or place or from a different OCS block area2 , when engage in OCS activities (as defined in 33 CFR 140.10), to file a Notice of Arrival (NOA) with the National Vessel Movement Center (NVMC). For voyages of less than 96 hours, information must be submitted at least 24 hours before entering the port or place of destination.
While both requirements for MODUs seem redundant, they are necessary. The reports are for different functions and are sent to different offices. Coast Guard navigation safety requirements, used for lights, warning devices and to prevent collisions at sea, are sent to the office of the District Commander. The NOA requirements are for maritime security and are submitted to the NVMC offices.
Furthermore, when a towing vessel controls a MODU, vessel, and/or floating facility, subject to this section that is required to submit a NOA, the owner or operator of the towing vessel, or lead towing vessel (if there is more than one), is responsible for submitting only one (1) NOA containing the information required for the towing vessels per 33 CFR 146.405 (if required) AND for the MODU, vessel and/or floating facility under its control.
Section 704 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act (CGMTA) of 2012 overturned several requirements that apply to notices of arrival (NOA) on the U.S. OCS. Specifically, those portions of Title 33 CFR 146.103, 146.215, and 146.405 that apply to U.S. OCS units (i.e., U.S. floating facilities, MODUs, and vessels) will now only apply when arriving from a foreign port or place. U.S. OCS units are no longer required to submit an NOA for U.S. OCS block to block moves.
To clarify the requirements for arrival and movement notifications on the OCS, the following table has been created for guidance. Please note that within the regulations cited below, additional notifications may be necessary for other requirements (i.e., Certificate of Financial Responsibility (COFR) (33 CFR 135), or construction (33 CFR 67)).
For more information can be found by reading the USCGMarine Safety Information Bulletin.
Source: USCG
