Policy letter 12-04 has been amended to reflect a change in policy on correspondence from flag administrations regarding equivalencies for exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) under MARPOL.
Lifejacket Approval Harmonization Notice of Availability
The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that it is finalizing the policy harmonizing personal flotation device standards between the United States and Canada by accepting a new standard for approval of PFDs. As a result, PFD manufacturers can meet a single North American standard instead of separate standards for the United States and Canada.
Congressional hearing alert: Commercial and Passenger Vessel Safety: Challenges, Opportunities
Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy Rear Adm. Richard Timme will testify before a Congressional Hearing focused on passenger vessel safety, Thursday, November 14th at 2 p.m.
Update from September’s BWM Tech North America conference
In September, staff from Coast Guard Headquarters attended the Ballast Water Management Tech North America Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Lt. Jacob Baldassini, an engineer with the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Center, gave attendees an update on the state of the Coast Guard’s type approval program, and guidance on several specific issues about which the MSC receives regular inquiries. Maritime Commons is sharing an overview of his comments for the benefit of our readers unable to attend.
Design guidance for commercial vessels using Lithium-Ion batteries for propulsion or electrical systems
The Office of Design and Engineering Standards issued Policy Letter No. 02-19 “Design Guidance for Lithium-Ion Battery Installations Onboard Commercial Vessels” to improve the plan approval process for commercial vessel propulsion or electrical systems powered by installed Lithium-ion batteries. The policy does not apply to the carriage of Li-ion batteries as cargo or portable devices with Li-ion batteries that are not permanently installed on the vessel.
Marine Safety Center issues Ballast Water Management System Type Approval Certificate to HANLA IMS Co., Ltd.
The Marine Safety Center issued the 24th U.S. Coast Guard Ballast Water Management System Type Approval Certificate to HANLA IMS Co., Ltd., after a detailed review of the manufacturer’s type approval application determined the system met the requirements of 46 CFR 162.060.
Merchant Mariner Examination Working Group 2020 meeting schedule
Section 315 of the 2015 Coast Guard Authorization Act requires the Coast Guard to commission a working group to review existing and new examination questions for accuracy and availability of examination references. Examination question review is an opportunity to help the National Maritime Center and other mariners make long-term improvements to the knowledge examination system.
NVIC: Guide to Marine Equipment Approvals Covered by a Mutual Recognition Agreement
The Mutual Recognition Agreements are parallel agreements the United States has with the European Union and with the European Free Trade Association countries that are part of the European Economic Area on the Mutual Recognition of Certificates of Conformity for Marine Equipment.
New Independent Lab accepted
The Coast Guard’s Office of Operating and Environmental Standards announced that it accepted PIA GmbH located in Aachen, Germany as a new Independent Laboratory for testing of ballast water management systems.
