USCG: Cancelation of Certificate of Inspection Phase-In Period policy letter

CG-CVC Policy Letter 17-03, Certificate of Inspection (COI) Phase-in Period for Existing Towing Vessels Using the TSMS Option Under 46, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Subchapter M, provided guidance on the applicability of the 46 CFR 136.202, COI phase-in period, to existing vessels using the TSMS option for the initial COI.

The policy authorized OCMIs to issue COIs to vessels that employ the TSMS option in excess of the specified phase-in percentage required. As the phase-in period for Subchapter M concluded as of July 19, 2022, this policy is obsolete.

This policy document is hereby cancelled.

In 2022, USCG had announced the conclusion of the Subchapter M: Towing Vessel, four year Certificate of Inspection (COI) phase-in period. It also welcomed a fleet of more than 5,000 towing vessels into U. S. Domestic inspected status.

This is a historic occasion for both the commercial towing industry and the Coast Guard as we have been working toward this moment since the 2004 Authorization Act which added towing vessels as an inspected class. Per 46 CFR 136.202, by July 19, 2022, 100% of towing vessels must have valid COIs on board in order to operate commercially

W. R. Arguin, RDML, U. S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, said.