Tag: USCG

The US Coast Guard issued two policy letters providing updated guidance for Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection with respect to harbor assist towing beyond the boundary line and use of doublers on Subchapter M towing vessels. 

In its annual PSC report for 2020 released earlier in May, the US Coast Guard noted greater foreign vessel compliance with ballast water management (BWM) regulations contained in 33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 151, recording a total of 108 BWM deficiencies onboard foreign vessels visiting ports in the US in 2020. 

In its annual PSC report for 2020 released earlier in May, the USCG provided an update on its QUALSHIP 21 program, which ended calendar year 2020 with 3,283 vessels enrolled (compared to 2,936 in 2019). By the end of 2020, 137 ships received the E-Zero designation, more than double the number of last year with 51 ships. 

USCG issued a policy letter providing guidance on the use of doubler plates for repairs involving towing vessels constructed of steel.

USCG warns about recent events that have highlighted the rapid and widespread impact that a ransomware attack can have on a company, industry, or even the national economy.

Recognizing that mariner mental health concerns may adversely affect vessel operations and life at sea, the US Coast Guard shed focus on the issue, assuring mariners that seeking mental health care will not jeopardize their medical certification. 

Salvage crews have completed the removal of diesel fuel from SEACOR Power’s fuel tanks and are now ready to move to the salvage phase, focusing on removing debris and refloating the vessel, the US Coast Guard announced. 

The US Coast Guard shared equipment manufacturers' guidance to seek approval of pilot ladders and embarkation ladders that meet ISO 799-1:2019 or ISO 5489:2008, respectively, as well as current guidance on embarking and disembarking of pilots.

A total of 57 ships were detained in the US in 2020, marking a decrease in the annual ship detention rate from 1.10% to 0.77%, the USCG said in its PSC Annual Report for 2020. While ship detentions related to fire safety and lifesaving systems remained similar to the past few years, MARPOL Annex I deficiencies decreased in the last year, the report reveals. 

A Unified Command consisting of the Coast Guard, the State of California, and Resolve Marine responded to a fire aboard a container ship.