USCG announced that it is reopening the comment period for the Alternative Planning Criteria (APC) National Guidelines awaiting comments related to the economic impact of the policy, especially in remote areas. Additionally, the coast Guard is interested in public comment regarding the exercise and verification aspects of the policy.
Existing APCs and related ACP acceptance policy will remain in effect over the course of this comment period. Existing APCs will be renewed such that the maritime industry is afforded an adequate and reasonable period of time to comply with the new policy, once released. APCs are not “required,” but voluntary alternatives to the national planning standards.
The intention of an APC is to identify and address resource gaps until response resources are sufficiently built up to meet the national planning standards.
Source: USCG