The Coast Guard Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance issued Policy Letter 19-01 Change 1 “Enforcement Guidance for Harbor Assist Towing Vessels When Operating Beyond the Boundary Line” and Policy Letter 21-03 “Guidance Concerning the Use of Doubler Plates for Repairs Involving Towing Vessels Subject to 46 CFR Subchapter M”.
An important safety consideration – Hazards of retractable pilothouses on towboats
Retractable pilothouses offer towing vessel operators great flexibility in meeting the many operational demands of inland navigation. This post offers recommendations to ensure the safety of all crew members involved in their operation.
Update to guidance for TSMS option vessels under Subchapter M
The Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance recently updated the work instruction “Towing Vessel COI Inspections under TSMS Option.” Updates include but are not limited to adding annual and renewal Certificate of Inspection guidance for Towing Safety Management System option vessels inspected under Subchapter M.
4/18/2019: Subchapter M – Only a few days left to schedule inspections to meet July 22, 2019 compliance requirements
In this post, Rear Adm. John Nadeau reminds towing vessel owners and operators of the responsibility to ensure 25 percent of their fleet has received a COI before July 22, 2019. In addition, at least 30 days before the inspection, the owner or operator must submit a completed “Application for Inspection of a U.S. Vessel” to the OCMI indicating if the Coast Guard or Towing Safety Management System option will be used to meet these requirements.
4/8/2019: Policy Letter 19-01 – Enforcement guidance for harbor assist vessels when operating beyond the boundary line
This policy letter provides guidance for the OCMI to exercise discretion with enforcing regulations, as appropriate, related to manning schemes, credentialing, and watchkeeping requirements so that the relatively few towing vessels that conduct harbor assist operations outside the Boundary Line have additional time to develop a workforce and business model to achieve compliance.