Written by Mr. Scott Mercurio, Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise

The Coast Guard’s Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise (LGC NCOE) partnered with Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville to coordinate a four-day “LNG as Fuel Workshop” Sept. 17-20, 2018, for future inspectors of LNG fueled vessels, with support from industry experts and the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Center.

Together, this team of LNG as fuel specialists provided Coast Guard marine inspectors from across the U.S. with an in-depth understanding of LNG fueled engines, bunkering evolutions, risk analysis, membrane containment systems, type C tanks, vessel operations, plan review, and firefighting techniques. The team was comprised of representatives from Texas A&M’s Emergency Services Training Institute, Pivotal LNG, ABS Consulting, Tote, Crowley, ABS’s Global Gas Solutions Team, DNV-GL, Chart Industries, and OCS Group.

Lt. Ethan Lewallen, an LGC NCOE marine inspector, said in his opening remarks, “The use of liquefied gas as fuel is one of the viable solutions when faced with stricter air emission regulations, coupled with rising maritime fuel costs. It’s imperative that the Coast Guard continues to recognize the constant operational changes in this industry to help inform how we will inspect these complex systems.”

The workshop consisted of classroom instruction, exercises, a live LNG demonstration, a trip to observe bunkering operations, and a tour of the LNG fuel system aboard the Tote operated vessel, Isla Bella. Those who attended will use this training to inspect LNG fueled vessels being constructed and/or operated in ports around the country. LNG fueled vessels by Harvey Gulf International Marine LLC, Tote Maritime, and Crowley Maritime Corp., are already operating on the Gulf Coast and in the Caribbean region, and two additional vessels are under construction by Pasha for operation on West Coast by the end of 2022.

About LGC NCOE
The LGC NCOE 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 LGC NCOE provides technical advice on matters related to liquefied gas in the maritime community; liquefied gas training and outreach opportunities; liquefied gas workforce forecasting and performance development; and technical expertise for the establishment of local and national liquefied gas guidance, policy and regulations.

For more information on the LGC NCOE, visit their website.

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.