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.
The single U.S. Supplement meets the intent set out in the Commandant’s Final Action Memorandum following the tragic loss of the EL Faro and the requirements contained in the Save Our Seas Act of 2018.
The ACP is a voluntary US Coast Guard program designed to reduce the regulatory burden of compliance and enhance the competitive position of U.S. flag vessels. It does this by taking advantage of the survey and certification functions performed by ROs.
The ACP promotes flexibility in vessel construction and reduces duplicative inspections and surveys. It is designed to maintain an equivalent level of safety to the standards required by Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
The single U.S. Supplement is focused primarily on requirements regarding critical ship safety systems necessary for the issuance of a US Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection that are in addition to the requirements found in International Maritime Organization instruments and the ROs’ rules.
The single U.S. Supplement is the result of a multiyear collaborative effort between the Coast Guard and the ACP-authorized ROs. The new supplement replaces twelve existing supplements and reduces the complexity of the ACP
said USCG.
The single U.S. Supplement will be used by all ACP-authorized ROs for vessels enrolling in the ACP from March 11, 2021 forward.
