Submitted by Lt. Cmdr. Eric Jesionowski, Cruise Ship National Center of Expertise
The Cruise Ship National Center of Expertise (CSNCOE) offers the Foreign Passenger Vessel Examiner (FPVE) Course three times each year for up to 16 Coast Guard active duty, reserve, and civilian members that are instrumental in daily operation, inspection and/or oversight of the cruise industry.
Stakeholders from the following segments of industry are also invited to attend:
• Cruise line representatives
• Ship officers
• Classification society surveyors/managers
• Foreign flag administration representatives
• Other government agencies
• Manufactures and other stakeholders
The course is designed to provide instruction on the process for conducting foreign passenger vessel exams. Throughout the course of instruction, teams are given scenarios that could be expected during a typical Coast Guard cruise ship examination and are asked to evaluate and decide on a course of action.
Additionally, instruction is provided on the international standards pertaining to fire safety systems, lifesaving, machinery space equipment and processes, emergency escape arrangements, environmental protection equipment and arrangements and crew roles and responsibilities. The interactions among participants over the seven-day course reinforce the value of and need for frequent communication and close working relationships among the cruise industry community and Coast Guard. Likewise, participants gain valuable insight, and a mutual understanding of the impacts their decisions have on cruise industry safety, security, and commercial viability.
The course convening dates for 2018 are:
• February 3-10
• March 3-8
• April/May TBD
Industry personnel interested in attending can submit requests for seats in the course through our web site in the “Contact Us” option in the left hand column or contact Lt. Cmdr. Eric Jesionowski at eric.s.jesionowski@uscg.mil. For industry personnel there is no fee associated with attending the course; however industry personnel are responsible for arranging and funding all travel and accommodations.
Additional information on the course can also be found in the “Training” section of the website. Select “Training” from the left hand column to expand the menu, and then select the Foreign Passenger Vessel Examiner (FPVE) Course from the list of options.
Please tell us how we are doing. The CSNCOE is always looking for feedback to improve and better serve the Coast Guard and Cruise Shipping Industry.
About CSNCOE
The CSNCOE is one of six nationwide national centers of expertise focusing on providing industry specific consultation and services to the Coast Guard and maritime industry. The CSNCOE, located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is the repository of Coast Guard expertise and best practices on the FPVE program and is focused on raising the competency, capabilities, and consistency Coast Guard wide in the field of cruise ship safety, environmental, and security requirements and examinations. As the industry liaison, the CSNCOE provides training and mission support to the Coast Guard and industry alike by memorializing a blend of these activities, ensuring continuous lines of communication and interaction.
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.