September 30, 2013, 9:21 am
SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, is
promulgating this nontank vessel response plan final rule to further
protect the Nation from the threat of oil spills in U.S. waters. This
final rule requires owners or operators of nontank vessels to prepare
and submit oil spill response plans. The Federal Water Pollution Control
Act defines nontank vessels as self-propelled vessels of 400 gross tons
or greater that operate on the navigable waters of the United States,
carry oil of any kind as fuel for main propulsion, and are not tank
vessels.
This final rule specifies the content of a response plan and addresses,
among other issues, the requirement to plan for responding to a worst
case discharge and a substantial threat of such a discharge.
Additionally, this final rule updates the international Shipboard Oil
Pollution Emergency Plan requirements that apply to certain nontank
vessels and tank vessels. Finally, this final rule requires vessel
owners or operators to submit their vessel response plan control number
as part of already required notice of arrival information. This
rulemaking supports the Coast Guard's strategic goals of protection of
natural resources and maritime
mobility.
DATES: This final rule is effective October 30, 2013. The incorporation
by reference of certain publications listed in the rule is approved by
the Director of the Federal Register on October 30, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule,
call or email Lieutenant Commander John Peterson, Coast Guard, Office of
Commercial Vessel Compliance, Vessel Response Plan Review Team;
telephone 202-372-1226, email vrp@uscg.mil
September 10, 2013, 2:49 pm
U.S. Coast Guard proposes Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) for vessels engaged in Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) activities
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Coast Guard announced today that an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) to promulgate regulations requiring vessels engaged in Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) activities (as defined in Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, Subchapter N) to develop, implement, and maintain a vessel-specific Safety and Environmental Management System.
The Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) incorporates the management program and principles of American Petroleum Institute's (API) Recommended Practice (RP)for Development of a Safety and Environmental Management Program for Offshore Operations and Facilities, Third Edition, May 2004 (API RP 75).
The U.S. Coast Guard intends for these systems to be developed and implemented by the vessel's owner or operator and be compatible with a designated lease operator's SEMS required under Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) regulations.
"This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking further underscores the Coast Guard's commitment to offshore safety," said Jeffrey Lantz, Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards. "The Coast Guard believes that a robust Safety and Environmental Management System should be in place for all vessels that conduct offshore activities. This rule signals the U.S. Coast Guard's intent to complement the BSEE Safety and Environmental Management System rule and promote a safety culture on the Outer Continental Shelf."
The U.S. Coast Guard seeks comments on the feasibility of implementing a Safety and Environmental Management System that incorporates API RP 75, compatibility with BSEE SEMS regulations, as well as potential methods of oversight, safety issues, costs and regulatory burdens, and other issues of concern to the regulated community and the public.
The published rule and related materials may be reviewed online at
http://www.regulations.gov, docket number: USCG-2012-0779
For more information on this notice, please contact LCDR Marc Montemerlo
at (202) 372-1387
or
August 13, 2013, 10:41 am
The new OSV Job Aid replaces the old OSV 840 book.
For questions, contact the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance – Domestic Vessel Division , USCG Headquarters.
August 8, 2013, 3:49 pm
The US Coast Guard is considering establishing a single Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) to oversee marine inspection activity for all mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) and floating outer continental shelf (OCS) facilities (such as FSUs) engaged directly in, capable of engaging directly in, or being constructed to engage directly in oil and gas exploration or production in offshore waters of the Eighth Coast Guard District. Currently, these units are subject to inspection by six separate OCMI offices within the District, depending upon where the unit is located. There are various ways in which the reorganization could be accomplished. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by 6 September 2013.