The USCG published a final rule on April 1, 2019, ‘Seafarers Access to Maritime Facilities’ that requires owners or operators of a maritime facility, regulated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA), implement a system providing seafarers, pilots, and representatives of seamen’s welfare and labor organizations access between vessels moored at the facility and the facility gate, in a timely manner and at no cost to the seafarer or other individuals.
Specifically, this final rule puts into effect Section 811 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010, that demands owners and operators to ensure that mariners are provided secure, no-cost options to sail through MTSA-regulated facilities in order to access fundamental human services, and to visit with family and friends.
The access procedures in 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 105.237, System for seafarers’ access, must be documented in the Facility Security Plan (FSP) for each facility and approved by the local Coast Guard Captain of the Port. Approximately 2,500 facilities nationwide are affected by these requirement.
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According to USCG, the majority of facility owners and operators are already compliant with the requirements above.
Yet, some facility owners or operators will need to update their FSPs or amend them. Thus, each captain of the port will review any submitted amendments to ensure they are in compliance paying particular attention to the requirements listed in 33CFR105.237 (c)-(e).
USCG highlights that they may contact the local Captain, under the possibility that any question arises, concerning an individual facility or security plan.
- May 1, 2019 – Seafarers’ Access to Maritime Facilities regulation became effective;
- February 3, 2020 – The system of access must be documented in the FSP;
- June 1, 2020 – The facility owner or operator must implement their system of access.
