The Eighth District Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection of the Outer Continental Shelf is alerting offshore operators about a tragic accident with loss of life that occurred on a floating offshore facility. Because the potential factors involved in this incident may be common to many facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf, the Coast Guard is sharing immediate actions facilities can take to avoid a similar tragedy.
Coast Guard ends year-long concentrated inspection campaign for open lifeboats
The Coast Guard recently concluded a year-long concentrated inspection campaign focused on open lifeboats throughout the U.S. commercial fleet. This campaign was directed in the final action memo on the 2015 sinking of the S.S. El Faro.
New Policy Letter: Equivalency Determination – Fire pumps for Subchapter C and Subchapter M towing vessels
This policy letter provides guidance on the use of fixed fire pumps in lieu of portable fire pumps on vessels 65 feet or less.
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5/13/2019: Fire Protection for Recreational Vessels
The Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the rules for recreational vessels by moving fire extinguishing equipment standards for recreational vessels from the uninspected vessel subchapter, which includes requirements for both recreational and commercial vessels, to the subchapter applicable only to recreational vessels.
5/3/2019: Stay “face up” – Try on your lifejacket in a controlled water environment to ensure proper fit
The Coast Guard recommends everyone try on their lifejacket in a controlled water environment to ensure proper fit and performance on their body. All Coast Guard approved lifejackets meet industry standards and Coast Guard requirements for construction, performance, and manufacturing. However, the only way to ensure proper fit and performance on an individual is to try it on in the water.
3/6/2019: Acceptance of 2009 Mobile Offshore Drilling Units Code, as amended
The Office of Design and Engineering Standards issued Change 1 to CG-ENG Policy Letter 02-12, to accept the amendments from the 2009 MODU Code, which include updated design and equipment requirements that stem from the findings of the Deepwater Horizon casualty investigation.
2/14/2019: Two new marine safety information bulletins for OCS vessels now available
The MSIBs cover marine casualty reporting requirements for certain OCS vessels and reiterates requirements for installed data plates on lifesaving appliances.
1/24/2019: Commercial vessel safety during lapse in appropriations
With passage of a continuing resolution, Marine Safety Information Bulletin 01-19 is cancelled effective Feb. 1, 2019.
