The Coast Guard is evaluating the potential use of Safety Management Systems (SMSs) to improve safety and reduce marine casualties on board U.S.-flagged passenger vessels. The Coast Guard is seeking public input and responses to specific questions on the feasibility, applicability, and nature of SMSs for potential use on U.S.-flagged passenger vessels. Comments and related material must be received on or before April 15, 2021.
Resources for voluntarily establishing a Safety Management System
The Coast Guard recently promulgated Marine Safety Information Bulletin 03-20 to assist owners and operators wishing to voluntarily implement a SMS. In this post, Rear Adm. Richard Timme shares the MSIB and provides his perspective on SMS.
5/17/2018: Recap of Center for Offshore Safety’s panel session with assistant commandant for prevention policy and BSEE director
Rear Adm. John Nadeau, assistant commandant for prevention policy, recently joined Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Director Scott Angelle for a panel session during this year’s Offshore Technology Conference in Houston. The session, moderated by Charlie Williams with Center for Offshore Safety, was part of COS’s Senior Regulatory Leadership Perspective series on Safety, Safety Management, and Future Regulatory Activity.
4/19/2018: U.S. Flag interpretations on the ISM Code
This post discusses a recently released Mission Management System Work Instruction regarding the U.S. Flag Interpretations on the ISM Code to provide supplemental flag state guidance regarding the development, implementation, and verification of safety management systems on U.S. Flag vessels. This work instruction also includes specific provisions to assist in assessing risks and developing contingency plans for emergency shipboard situations, and is designed to be used in conjunction with CVC-WI-003, USCG Oversight of Safety Management Systems on U.S. Flag Vessels. Industry stakeholders and Recognized Organizations are encouraged to reference this guidance when developing, implementing, and verifying SMSs in order to promote a strong safety culture throughout the U.S. flag fleet.
4/5/2018: New Form CG-835V Vessel Inspection Requirements
Form CG-835V Vessel Inspection Requirements is specifically tailored to capture more detailed deficiency data in a manner that is aligned with globally accepted Port State Control methodologies. The CG-835V was developed in conjunction with corresponding enhancements to the Coast Guard’s internal database, MISLE, in order to support better data analytics and the development and monitoring of Key Performance Indicators for the U.S. flag fleet and the Recognized Organizations that perform statutory certification and services on the Coast Guard’s behalf.
