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On March 31, 2016, the Coast Guard issued a final rule that amends the tonnage regulations (46 CFR 69) to implement amendments to the tonnage measurement law made by the 2010 Coast Guard Authorization Act, codify principal technical interpretations, and incorporate administrative, non-substantive clarifications and updates. These regulations are administered by the Coast Guard Marine Safety Center (MSC), and provide for vessel measurement to assign gross and net tonnages and registered dimensions.

Among other changes, this final rule addresses:

– Acceptance of foreign vessel tonnage assignments

– Measurement of undocumented vessels

– Applying tonnage thresholds

– Tonnage terminology (e.g., GT ITC vs. GRT)

– Framing and open space treatment

– Portable enclosed spaces

– Grandfathering of superseded requirements

This final rule becomes effective on May 2, 2016.

The Coast Guard published a related notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 8, 2014.

For more information, please read the entire Federal Register notice or contact Mr. Marcus Akins of the MSC’s Tonnage Division staff at (202)-795-6787 or marcus.j.akins@uscg.mil.

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