This policy letter provides guidance regarding the enforcement posture for towing vessels’ COI phase-in requirements within 46 CFR §136.202.
Towing vessel under charter? Don’t let it cause a break in the safety system
Recently, an investigation of a towing vessel loss of propulsion revealed gaps in the implementation of the vessel’s TSMS that were causal to the incident and a result of poor TSMS-to-TSMS transition.
‘Findings of Concern’ focuses on the hazards of corrosion
The Coast Guard issues findings of concern to disseminate information related to unsafe conditions identified as causal factors in a marine casualty and that may cause a similar casualty on other vessels. Findings of concern are intended to educate the public, state, or local agencies about the conditions discovered so they may address the findings with an appropriate voluntary action or highlight existing applicable company policies or state/local regulations.
4/10/2019: Recognized auditor/assessor courses
The Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise posted a notice on its website that the Third-Party Organization webpage has been updated to reflect current auditor/assessor courses recognized by the Coast Guard as of April 10, 2019.
8/9/2018: Recap of Coast Guard-American Waterways Operators steering committee meeting
The Coast Guard-American Waterways Operators Safety Partnership held its National Quality Steering Committee meeting July 31, 2018, with an agenda focusing on the concerns of the partnership and industry. This meeting marked the first NQSC meeting since Subchapter M towing vessel regulations went into effect July 20, 2018.