During two recent vessel inspections Coast Guard marine inspectors participated in and witnessed occasions where the testing and maintenance of a CO2 system resulted in serious safety threats that could have easily led to loss of lives.
The Coast Guard granted extensions of national endorsements for any mariner whose Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) expired on or after Dec. 1, 2016. The extension was effective immediately and remains valid until Sept. 30, 2017. Mariners are not authorized to sail on an expired MMC after Sept. 30, 2017. Mariners are encouraged to apply for renewal as soon as possible. Overall processing time for applications remains approximately 60 days. The extension does not apply to STCW endorsements or medical certificates.
Two NOAA ships, en route to scientific missions in Alaskan waters, helped locate the missing fishing vessel Destination at the request of the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation. The Destination and its six crew members were lost Feb. 11, 2017, while fishing for Opilio crab (snow crab) northwest of St. George, Alaska.
The Office of Design and Engineering Standards announced registration is open for the 2017 ASME – U.S. Coast Guard Workshop on Marine Technology and Standards, October 16-17, at the Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel in Washington, D.C. The theme for this year’s workshop is “Optimizing Marine Energy Resources.”
This post provides a summary of actions and due dates required for the towing vessel industry to comply with Subchapter M.
