The zones will be established from Cape Canaveral, Florida, into the Atlantic Ocean in different areas based on the flight path. The safety zones are designed to keep vessels from entering the launch area while an active rocket launch is taking place. The first use is scheduled for a December 4 or December 5 SpaceX launch.
United States re-elected to International Maritime Organization Council for 2020-2021 during the 31st Session of the Assembly
The United States was recently re-elected for a two-year term on the International Maritime Organization Council.
Three Americans receive awards at the International Maritime Organization’s award ceremony
Three Americans received awards from the International Maritime Organization for their contributions to the maritime community and bravery at sea.
Don’t miss the January 31, 2020, deadline to submit nominations for the Rear Adm. William M. Benkert Award for Environmental Excellence
The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking applications from the maritime industry for the 2020 Benkert Award for Environmental Excellence. Applications are due by January 31, 2020.
Area Maritime Security Committees 2018 Annual Report published
The Office of Port and Facility Compliance announces the publication of the consolidated report on the status and work completed in 2018 by Area Maritime Security Committees (AMSCs).
NVIC: Maintenance, examination, testing, and repair of lifesaving systems
The Coast Guard published a NVIC that provides guidance to the maritime industry and Coast Guard personnel describing how vessel owners and operators may comply with amendments to SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 3 and 20, that will enter into force on January 1, 2020.
Notice of Public Meeting: Consistent Implementation of Regulation 14.1.3 of MARPOL Annex VI (Global 0.50% Sulfur Limit)
The Coast Guard will hold a public meeting in Washington, D.C., Dec. 5, 2019, to review and discuss the MARPOL Annex VI provisions for implementing the Global 0.50% Sulfur Limit and the associated guidance developed through the International Maritime Organization, as well as discuss related issues and Coast Guard enforcement plans.
Exhaust gas scrubbers on foreign ships in North American and U.S. Caribbean Sea Emission Control Areas
Policy letter 12-04 has been amended to reflect a change in policy on correspondence from flag administrations regarding equivalencies for exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) under MARPOL.
Lifejacket Approval Harmonization Notice of Availability
The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that it is finalizing the policy harmonizing personal flotation device standards between the United States and Canada by accepting a new standard for approval of PFDs. As a result, PFD manufacturers can meet a single North American standard instead of separate standards for the United States and Canada.
