The Coast Guard seeks comment on a notice of proposed rulemaking that would add the new Polar Ship Certificate to the list of certificates required to be carried on board all U.S. and foreign-flagged vessels subject to SOLAS which operate in Arctic and Antarctic waters. The proposal also enables recognized classification societies to issue these certificates on behalf of the Coast Guard.
This proposed rule would add a new Polar Ship Certificate to the list of existing certificates required to be carried on board all U.S. and foreign-flagged vessels subject to the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and operating in Arctic and Antarctic waters, generally above 60 degrees north latitude and below 60 degrees south latitude lines.
Additionally, the Coast Guard proposes to add this certificate to the list of SOLAS certificates that recognized classification societies are authorized to issue on behalf of the Coast Guard.
The proposed rule would apply to commercial cargo ships greater than 500 gross tons engaging in international voyages, and passenger ships carrying more than 12 passengers engaging in international voyages, when these ships operate within polar waters as defined by the Polar Code.
The proposal ensures vessels that comply with the Polar Code are properly certificated and not subject to detention when sailing internationally. The Coast Guard is currently considering additional amendments to commercial shipping regulations that may be necessary to fully implement the SOLAS, MAROL and STCW provisions of the Polar Code.
Comments and related materials on this proposal must be submitted on or before Dec. 22, 2016.
Further details may be found here
