On September 2, 2019, the small passenger vessel Conception caught fire and sank off the coast of Santa Cruz Island, California with loss of life. This bulletin identifies regulations related to firefighting, lifesaving, preparations for emergencies, and means of escape that serve as a reminder for owner and operators to ensure the safety of the passengers and crew while onboard.
Eighth District MSIB: Lifeboat operations on manned facilities
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.
Liquefied gas cargoes for use as marine fuel
The establishment of air emissions regulations in the form of Emission Control Areas (ECA) and the approaching IMO 2020 sulfur cap have driven the search for economically, commercially, and environmentally acceptable marine fuels. With advancements in technologies and the significant growth of U.S. liquefied gas export markets, Coast Guard examiners are seeing a new trend on vessels carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and ethane; these vessels are using their cargoes as fuel during ocean transits. In this post, we provide industry with instructions for vessels to request permission to use cargoes other than methane as fuel.
Coast Guard presents public service award to long-time mariner advocate
Rear Adm. Steven Andersen, the Coast Guard’s Judge Advocate General and Chief Counsel, presented Mr. Douglas Stevenson with a Meritorious Public Service Award, to honor his outstanding contributions to the United States Coast Guard and to all the mariners who make their living at sea.
Recap of Center for Offshore Safety’s session with Coast Guard Eighth District Commander
Coast Guard Eighth District Commander Rear Adm. Paul Thomas joined Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Director Scott Angelle during this year’s Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, May 6-9. The session, moderated by Charlie Williams with Center for Offshore Safety, was part of COS’s Senior Regulatory Leadership Perspective series.
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.
Notice of Public Meeting in Preparation for the IMO Technical Cooperation Committee’s 69th Session
This public meeting will be held Thursday, June 20, 2019, beginning at 10:30 a.m., Eastern Time, at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC.
Maritime Sector Coordinating Council established
Sector Coordinating Councils are self-organized and self-governed councils that enable critical infrastructure owners and operators, their trade associations, and other industry representatives to interact on a wide range of sector specific strategies, polices, and activities.
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.
