Foreign flag passenger vessels arriving in the US that embark passengers for the first time or make an initial US port call while carrying US citizens as passengers must take part in the Initial Certificate of Compliance (ICOC) exam process. Vessels returning to service after absence from the US must also participate in the ICOC exam process.
Since October 2017, the Cruise Ship National Center of Expertise (CSNCOE) has attended 17 initial exams. Most of these ICOC exams took place at European shipyards for vessels coming to the US within the next two years. However, many vessels were not able to complete the exam because the ship was not prepared.
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During a recent ICOC exam, one examiner noted that the vessel’s entire RO-RO deck was covered with equipment needed to complete projects during the ship’s pier side maintenance period and the team realized they would not be able to test the fire suppression system on the vehicle deck. The examiners also observed piping, which was going to be used to refurbish vital systems equipment, on the deck. This piping also required testing.
In order to help ensure the ICOC exam is as efficient as possible, USCG provided some key points:
- Owners need to be fully aware of the requirements and expectations to complete a Coast Guard ICOC exam.
- The ICOC process is the same whether the ship is a recently built vessel at a major shipyard or it is an older existing vessel trying to gain access to the U.S. market for the first time.
- A Coast Guard-verified Recognized Organization must test all vital systems and determine them to be in compliance.
- For a successful ICOC exam, the crew must be available and singularly focused.
- The ship should have a valid Passenger Ship Safety Certificate or expect to obtain one by the end of the ICOC exam.