USCG Sector Key West reminded commercial and recreational vessels of 300 GT or more of the requirement to file a notice of arrival (NOA) with the USCG National Vessel Movement Center (NVMC) prior to arrival in the US.
In the new Marine Safety Information Bulletin 20-009, USCG informed that, in recent months, there has been a significant increase in the number of vessels entering the COTP Key West without submitting an Advance Notice of Arrivals (NOA) or submitting an NOA that does not meet regulatory requirements pertaining to:
- The method of submitting an NOA; and/or
- The time required for submissions and updates to NOA prior to arrival
These violations have led to pursuit of civil penalty cases with fines imposed, and will lead to Denial of Entry, Expulsion or Restriction of Movement if the vessel is already within U.S. waters for COTP Zone Key West Area of Responsibility.
Sector Key West strongly urges maritime stakeholders to become familiar with the corresponding regulations set forth in Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) 160.210 for the method of submitting an NOA, 33 C.F.R. 160.212 for the time requirements of submitting an NOA prior to arrival, and 33 C.F.R Part 3 for the breakdown of COTP Zones which dictate which port changes require submission.
