The Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has published MSIB 21-20 Change 1 “Recommendation for Pilot Transfer Arrangements.”
MSIB: Passenger vessel compliance and operational readiness
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.
MSIB: Ballast water best management practices to reduce the likelihood of transporting pathogens that may spread stony coral tissue loss disease
Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease can kill coral within weeks or months and spreads rapidly to destroy the soft tissue of many different species of coral. This MSIB reminds vessel representatives of mandatory management practices associated with the discharge of ballast water (BW) from vessels required to conduct a Ballast Water Exchange (BWE) under U.S. Regulations.
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.
MSIB 005-19: Shipping industry notification to U.S. government of non-availability of compliant fuel oil
Effective immediately, owners and operators of vessels operating in the North American or U.S. Caribbean Sea Emission Control Area that are unable to acquire sufficient MARPOL Annex VI compliant fuel oil at a foreign or U.S. port may satisfy the requirement to notify the competent authority of the relevant port of destination by notifying the cognizant U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port.
MSIB 04-19: Cyber Adversaries Targeting Commercial Vessels
The Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance issued Marine Safety Information Bulletin 04-19, “Cyber Adversaries Targeting Commercial Vessels,” to inform the maritime industry of recent email phishing and malware intrusion attempts that targeted commercial vessels. Cyber adversaries are attempting to gain sensitive information including the content of an official Notice of Arrival (NOA) using email addresses that pose as an official Port State Control (PSC) authority.
11/1/2018: MSIB 009-12 (Rev 1) Employment of non-credentialed personnel onboard certain U.S. documented vessels
This revision follows recent adverse port state control actions against U.S. flagged vessels that revealed several cases of U.S.-documented vessels calling on U.S. ports with non-U.S. credentialed personnel instead of U.S. citizens. The intent of this MSIB is to provide information and guidance to vessel owners and operators regarding the provisions for employment of non-U.S. credentialed personnel on board certain U.S. documented vessels, and, the potential negative implications of non-compliance.
4/13/2018: Marine Safety Information Bulletin 03-18, Oily bilge water management
This bulletin summarizes key legal requirements for the proper management and disposal of oily mixtures by oceangoing vessels under 400 gross tons. An “oceangoing ship [or vessel]” means any vessel that operates on international voyages, is certified for coastwise service beyond three miles, or operates beyond three nautical miles at any time. Oceangoing vessels falling into this category include – but are not limited to – tugs, ferries, shuttle vessels, commercial fishing vessels, and tour boats.
1/18/2018: Coast Guard testing new delivery method for marine safety information
As the primary federal agency responsible for providing Maritime Safety Information to mariners, the Coast Guard is testing an information delivery method to bring mariners Broadcast Notice to Mariners, Maritime Safety Information Bulletins and other Marine Safety Information currently available only through VHF-FM marine band radio.
