The US Coast Guard published a Final Rule in the Federal Register, allowing tankers with automatic pilot systems that meet certain international standards to operate using those systems in shipping safety fairways and traffic separation schemes. The rule will apply from December 5, 2018.
This rule removes the previous regulatory restriction and updates the technical requirements for automatic pilot systems.
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Prohibiting the use of autopilots creates regulatory burdens for both industry and the USCG, as tanker owners and operators must apply for deviations from the prohibition.
USCG grants those deviations on a case-by-case basis and, since 2013, has issued around 35 deviations to allow tankers to operate specific IEC and IMO compliant autopilots in fairway or TSS waters within specific Captain of the Port (COTP) zones.
The new rule amends allow tankers equipped with specific IEC-compliant autopilots to use those systems in fairway and TSS waters without needing to apply to individual COTPs for deviations, and without the need for COTPs to ensure IEC compliance and issue deviations.
This action aims to cut the current burdens on industry applying for deviations and the US Coast Guard granting those deviations that are no longer necessary because of advances in technology.
What is more, USCG expects that this rule will improve maritime safety because the autopilots in question offer better precision and navigational safety than conventional autopilots and even human steering.
Lastly, by implementing industry standards, this rule compies with Executive Order 13609 (Promoting International Regulatory Cooperation), which encourages international regulatory cooperation to reduce, eliminate, or prevent unnecessary difference in regulatory requirements.
This final rule will be effective as from December 5, 2018.