Editor’s note: This is an update to the Field Notice released Jan. 24, 2018.

The Coast Guard’s Cruise Ship National Center of Expertise (CSNCOE) released Field Notice 01-18, “Tender & Excursion Vessels” to provide amplifying guidance explaining the difference between a tender vessel and an excursion vessel onboard a foreign passenger vessel. This notice is intended for foreign passenger vessels operating in the U.S. using small vessels stored onboard the ship for excursion activities.

To view or download the notice, visit CSNCOE’s  Field Notice website.

Foreign passenger vessels operating in the United States are increasingly using small vessels stored onboard ship for excursion activities. These excursions are primarily in remote areas with little or no population or other commercial activity. At times, these excursion vessels are referred to as tenders or are the same vessels that are being used as tenders. This field notice clarifies the difference between a tender and an excursion vessel.

The CSNCOE is one of six national centers of expertise focusing on providing industry specific consultation and services to the Coast Guard and maritime industry. The CSNCOE provides technical advice on matters related to Foreign Passenger Vessel (Cruise Ships) in the maritime community; training and outreach opportunities; Foreign Passenger Vessel Examiner workforce forecasting and performance development; and technical expertise for the establishment of local and national, policy and regulations.

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.