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USCG: Update to Policy Letter 17-04, “Subchapter M Third Party Organization Guidance”

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02/05/2019 – Reposted from Coast Guard Maritime Commons:

The Office of Commerical Vessel Compliance issued Change 1 to Policy Letter 17-04, “Subchapter M Third Party Organization (TPO) Guidance” Jan. 31, 2019.

CG-CVC Policy Letter 17-04 is here by cancelled and superseded by Change 1. Updates are limited to the Subchapter M Third Party Organization Guidebook enclosure and include:

a. Updated multiple parts of Section 5 that address the main responsibilities of a TPO;
b. Updated Section 7 to include more information pertaining to actions a TPO auditor or surveyor should take when they identify a problem;
c. Updated Section 8 to address the validity of TSMS certificates if a TPO’s approval is voluntarily surrendered;
d. Updated Section 9 to address the process for a third party developed course to gain Coast Guard acceptance;
e. Updated Appendix 1: Third Party Organization Application Job Aid to included previously missed regulations; and
f. Added two new appendices: Appendix 2: Audit Result Submissions and Appendix 3: Aid for Processing, Recording, and Reporting Deficiencies.

Policy Letter 17-04 (Change 1) provides guidance to the Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise, Officer(s) in Charge, Marine Inspection, and the marine industry on TPO requirements as discussed in reference the Inspection of Towing Vessels Final Rule published June 20 2016. It is intended for use by the NCOE, OCMIs, and entities within the maritime industry that are or want to become TPOs.

For full details, view or download Policy Letter 17-04 (Change 1), or contact the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance, Domestic Compliance Division at CG-CVC@uscg.mil.

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USCG: National Maritime Center (NMC) and Regional Exam Centers Re-open

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1/30/2019: Nat’l Maritime Center, Regional Exam Centers re-open following partial shutdown

The National Maritime Center announced in a bulletin Jan. 28, 2019 that it has re-opened and is implementing measures to address increased levels of application inventory.

Merchant Mariner Credentials and Medical Certifications (National Endorsements only) set to expire in December 2018, January 2019, or February 2019 remain valid until May 31, 2019. (See Update 3 – Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown.)

Additional Information letters, Qualified Assessor letters, Designated Examiner letters, Proctor Approval letters, Approval to Test letters, and mariner training completion certificates set to expire in December 2018, January 2019, or February 2019 remain valid until April 30, 2019. (See Update 3 – Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown.)

Mariners seeking to operate on STCW endorsements that expired on or after December 1, 2018, may request continued service STCW dispensations via e-mail at STCWDispensations@uscg.mil. (For application details, see STCW Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown.)

Regional Examination Centers nationwide will be fully operational and open to the public by Jan. 30, 2019. The scheduling system for Regional Examination Centers examinations, application drop off, and other credentialing business will be active beginning Jan. 31, 2019.

The NMC is working to minimize the negative impact to the maritime industry and will publish additional information regarding furlough recovery operations as needed. For updates, please monitor the NMC website. If you have questions, contact the NMC Customer Service Center by e-mailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

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USCG: Commercial Vessel Safety during Lapse in Coast Guard Appropriations

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MSIB 01-19, issued 1/23/2019 by CG-CVC, provides guidance to assist vessel owners, operators, and other affected parties during the lapse in appropriations. The MSIB covers the USCG’s plans for addressing the following items during the partial government shutdown:

  • COFRs – Certificates of Financial Responsibility
  • CODs – Certificates of Documentation (impacts on COIs)
  • MMCs – Merchant Mariner Credentials

EXCERPT – “In the absence of enacted appropriation or continuing resolution, the Coast Guard is required to execute an orderly suspension of some operations and activities. In general, the Coast Guard will continue operations authorized by law that provide for national security, or that protect life and property. However, certain administrative functions will be limited.”

Click here to download MSIB 01-19