The Republic of Marshall Islands Maritime Administration (RMI) informed of the USCG requirements for RMI-flagged ships entering the US under Subchapter O.
The US Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Safety Center (MSC) requires that RMI-flagged vessels entering US ports carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk:
- Hold a valid IMO Certificate of Fitness issued under the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code); and
- Receive an endorsed Certificate of Compliance (COC), including a Subchapter O Endorsement (SOE) issued by the USCG.
Prior to scheduling a COC exam, the vessel owners must apply for an SOE from MSC.
The initial SOE application must contain:
- A valid copy of the vessel’s IMO Certificate of Fitness for Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk and all Addendums
- A description of the vessel (vessel particulars)
- A general arrangement plan of the vessel
- Specifications for the cargo containment system
- A mid-ship section plan of the vessel
- Firefighting and Safety Plans
- Schematic of the liquid and vapor cargo piping
- Classification Society certification for ethylene oxide carriage
- Classification Society certification for steel and cargo temperature control (per 154.170)
- SOLAS Safety Construction and Safety Equipment Certificates
The submission should be made electronically to the email address or, if via hard copy, in triplicate to the Marine Safety Center’s address found here.
To facilitate plan review and project management, all plans and information specified in these guidelines should be submitted as one complete package through a single point of contact for the project.
- Owners and Agents should be aware that MSC’s policy is a 30-day working time to respond to requests for the plan review required to issue an SOE.
- Once notified that the plan review is complete, the Owner or Agent should contact the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) at the vessel’s first US port of call in advance of the scheduled arrival to confirm the COC examination.
- This COC exam is generally performed at anchorage and requires one day to complete. The OCMI will issue the SOE upon successful completion of the COC exam.
