Tag: USCG

The USCG National Maritime Center issued a bulletin, reminding operators that the extension of national endorsements for Merchant Mariner Credentials remains valid until September 30, 2017. As mariners are not authorized to sail on an expired MMC after this date, they are encouraged to apply for renewal as soon as possible.

The United States Coast Guard is reminding owners and operators that CO2 system inspection, testing, and maintenance requires thoughtful planning and risk mitigation efforts to prevent serious safety threats and loss of lives.

Since 2016, more than 70 oil sheens were reported in the water between New Bedford and Fairhaven, for which no one has claimed responsibility, according to US Coast Guard. Patrols are regularly looking for oil in high traffic areas and when discovered, the teams investigate it to determine if the amount is recoverable, and collect a sample.

US Coast Guard informed that July 20th 2017 signifies the entry into force of a portion of Subchapter M, as towing vessels, with keels laid or major conversions on or after July 20, are required to meet 46 CFR Subchapter M and obtain a Certificate of Inspection prior to operating.

The US Coast Guard informed that, as of this month, Rear Adm. Paul Thomas, assistant commandant for prevention policy, has begun signing certificates for ships receiving the E-Zero designation on their QUALSHIP 21 certificate.

US Coast Guard announced an update to its navigation guidance for the use of electronic charts in lieu of paper charts and publications. The updated version of Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular identifies voluntary acceptable equivalencies to paper charts and publications and position fixing and plotting requirements.

The US Coast Guard Navigation Center informed that 20 ships were reported suffering a GPS disruption, in the Black Sea, since 22 June 2017. In view of this, it urges operators to exercise caution and reminds them how to report a disruption and the actions they should take to mitigate the effects of a disruption.

The US Coast Guard issued a policy letter establishing design criteria for natural gas fuel systems that provide a level of safety at least equivalent to that provided for traditional fuel systems. Since LNG is relatively new as a marine fuel in the US, there are no federal regulations to address the safe design of shipboard LNG-fueled systems.

The US Coast Guard has made available a draft Navigation and Inspection Circular, asking ship operators to assess their vulnerabilities to cyber attacks. As highlighted in the USCG Cyber Strategy, cyber security is one of the most serious economic and national security challenges in the US.

On July 12, the 225-foot US Coast Guard Cutter Maple departed on a voyage through the Northwest Passage. The cutter will serve as a ship of opportunity to conduct scientific research near the Arctic Circle, in support of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.