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The Coast Guard published a final rule expanding the applicability of notice of arrival, or NOA, and automatic identification system, or AIS, requirements to include more commercial vessels.

This final rule amends the applicability of NOA requirements to include additional vessels, sets forth a mandatory method for electronic submission of NOAs and modifies related reporting content, timeframes and procedures. This final rule also extends the applicability of AIS requirements beyond Vessel Traffic Service areas to all U.S. navigable waters, and requires that additional commercial vessels install and use AIS, consistent with statutory requirements, and in limited cases, the Secretary’s discretionary authority.

These changes will improve navigation safety, enhance our ability to identify and track vessels and heighten our overall maritime domain awareness, thus helping us address threats to maritime transportation safety and security.

TIMELINE:

This final rule is effective March 2, 2015, except for amendments to 33 CFR part 160 which become effective April 30, 2015, with the further exception of § 160.204(a)(6), which is effective April 30, 2015 through December 31, 2015; and except for §§ 160.204(a)(5)(vii), 160.205, 160.208(a) and (c), and 164.46(b) and (c), which contain collection of information requirements that have not yet been approved by the Office of Management and Budget. The Coast Guard will publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of these four collection-of-information related sections. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the final rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register on March 2, 2015.

View the Federal Register final rule for full details.

This blog is not a replacement or substitute for the formal posting of regulations and updates or existing processes for receiving formal feedback of the same. Links provided on this blog will direct the reader to official source documents, such as the Federal Register, Homeport and the Code of Federal Regulations. These documents remain the official source for regulatory information published by the Coast Guard.