In an effort to better recognize those companies, operators, and vessels that have earned the E-Zero designation on their QUALSHIP 21 certificate, each month Maritime Commons will publish the names of the latest vessels to earn the E-Zero designation.
10/1/2017: Coast Guard releases Report of Investigation into loss of 33 mariners and U.S. cargo ship, El Faro
The MBI concluded that the primary cause of the casualty was the decision to navigate El Faro too close to the path of Hurricane Joaquin. As the MBI expanded the investigation to explore other contributing factors, it uncovered evidence of an ineffective safety management system within the operating company, and failures by both the Coast Guard delegated representative and the Coast Guard itself to provide effective oversight of the vessel’s compliance with safety regulations.
8/9/2017: Cruise Ship National Center of Expertise Field Notice 01-17: Exhaust Gas Cleaning System Short-term Temporary SOx Exceedances
Field Notice 01-17 provides Coast Guard expectations for dealing with alarms from EGCSs, where such alarms are triggered by short-term temporary emission exceedances due to predictable operations of vessels, such as engine load changes. Field Notice 01-17 is intended for vessels operating in the U.S. portion of the North American Emission Control Area (ECA) and the U.S. Caribbean Sea ECA.
7/20/2017: Rear Adm. Thomas signs first QUALSHIP 21 certificates with E-Zero designation
The new E-Zero designation is part of the QUALSHIP 21 program, whereby ships are further recognized for achieving a high level of environmental compliance and sustained performance. Approximately 15 percent of existing QUALSHIP 21 ships will receive the E-Zero designation.
6/6/2017: Cruise Ship National Center of Expertise spring newsletter available online
The newsletter serves to provide useful information on national and international policies as well as highlight success stories, best practices and achievements in the field.
