Tag: USCG

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic along with the vaccine distribution period, United States Coast Guard issued frequent asked questions around the vaccine.

USCG published a guidance, calling for Safety Management Systems required under the ISM Code to address cyber risks. The guidance regards the USCG commercial vessel compliance program’s approach to assessing the cyber risk on vessels to ensure vessels do not pose a risk to the Marine Transportation System (MTS) due to a cyber event.

US Coast Guard recently reported that the capsize of a commercial fishing vessel, brought to light a potentially dangerous situation involving the closure of freeing ports. 

The US Coast Guard provided updated guidance on the requirement for wearing masks on commercial vessels. The update reflects the inclusion of seaports, provides additional information on applicability for mask wear in the marine transportation system, and includes links to Coast Guard and CDC FAQ pages.

The USCG has informed of an increasing failure rate amongst the inspected towing vessel fleet with regards to fixed and portable emergency dewatering equipment failing to operate as designed.

In October 2020, the US Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach found eleven non-compliant SEE-ME 1.0 LED PFD lights. The bottoms of the lights were missing, cracked, or bulging.

Starting from 1st April 2021, operators of recreational vessels less than 26 feet in length will be required to use an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) and associated ECOS link (ECOSL), as the US Coast Guard implements a law passed by Congress.

The US Coast Guard has publicly released two studies completed by the USCG Research & Development Center as related to Enhanced Person in the Water (ePIW) Detection location devices and daytime distress signal devices.

On March 11, 2021, the US Coast Guard in consultation with the Alternate Compliance Program (ACP) authorized Recognized Organizations (RO), released a single U.S. Supplement for vessels enrolling in the ACP. 

Amid the significant impacts of the pandemic on US Marine Transportation System, the US Coast Guard issued guidance for US mariners, who may be experiencing crew change issues abroad and for foreign mariners who may be experiencing crew change issues while in the US.