TVIB News Industry Press

SUB M: DOCUMENTING OWNER OR OPERATOR CHANGE FOR SUBCHAPTER M TOWING VESSELS

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Adding a vessel to your fleet? Do you know what to do next to be compliant with Subchapter M?  The days of late-night or hand-shake charter agreements are no longer an option for a vessel with a Certificate of Inspection (COI).  The biggest challenge for operators, TPOs, and OCMIs is processing operator changes on COIs for very short-term charters.  Owner or operator changes for certificated vessels requires pre-planning and certain actions before, during and after the transition.

If the ownership of the vessel will change along with the operator, the first step is to contact the Coast Guard’s National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) to process the change in ownership and issue a new Certificate of Documentation (COD). Coast Guard field units do not have the authority to change vessel ownership information in MISLE as the NVDC is the only entity that processes CODs.  Changes in vessel operator only do not require a change to the COD.

A COI cannot be amended if the COD is not accurate. You should consider the following to facilitate a smooth transition:

  • Utilize a written procedure or checklist that documents your process for adding a vessel to the fleet to ensure compliance with your TSMS and Subchapter M requirements (e.g., minimum firefighting and lifesaving equipment).
  • Include language in your charter agreements to specify that vessel compliance-related documents must be provided, such as vessel surveys and open findings.
    • You need to know about any open non-TSMS findings related to the vessel, as well as any open CG-835V deficiencies.
    • You need copies of annual surveys and drydock/internal structural examination reports for the current COI period.
  • The vessel must be covered by a TSMS Certificate prior to or concurrently with communicating with the OCMI to amend the COI.
  • Ensure that other documents/approvals have been updated (e.g., NTVRP, VSP, COFR, FCC Station License, etc.) prior to operating the vessel.

Lastly, it is vital for you to note the required timeframes for the next annual survey, drydock/internal structural examination, and external vessel audit.  The operator listed on the COI is responsible for ensuring that these activities occur as required.

USCG: Meritorious Public Service Award for HOGANSAC and LSHSC

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Today the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee (LSHSC) and its predecessor federal advisory committee Houston-Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (HOGANSAC) were presented with a Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service award to recognize the 40th anniversary of the group. The previous chairs, COTPs, DFOs, and members were recognized by the current Sector Commander for Sector Houston-Galveston Capt. Smith and Congressman Randy Weber of Texas’ 14th Congressional District. Capt. Smith shared with the group that the model of HOGANSAC and LSHSC has been used in several ports for the development and establishment of other harbor safety committees.

This recognition was to celebrate 40 years of port stakeholders and the community working in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard to address issues in the Marine Transportation System (MTS) within the ports of Houston, Galveston, Texas City, and Freeport including the associated waterways of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and offshore lightering zones. We watched the ushering in of maritime security regulations following 9-11 and saw the formation of the first Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC). The group has been twice recognized on the national stage as Harbor Safety Committee of the year by the Transportation Research Board (TRB). Initiatives such as Brownwater University, Brownwater-Bluewater Symposium, and the Mariner Guide to Navigating the Houston-Galveston Area Waterways are but of few of the ongoing initiatives that were born out of this group.

As a previous chair of HOGANSAC, I was proud to be among this group and pleased to see that many of us have been involved for over 20 years with this group and its various committees and to see so many new faces that will carry on this important work.

#lonestarharborsafetycommittee #lshsc #hogansac #uscg #harborsafetycommittee #portofhouston #portofgalveston #portoftexascity #portoffreeport

TRAINING: LAST CALL DD/ISE Nov 8-10 Virtual Course

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Friday, November 4th is the last day to register and secure your spot in this year’s final 3-day virtual Drydock/Internal Structural Examination Certification course. Enjoy completing the course from your home or office. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to prepare yourself for success in 2023, reserve your seat today!

This three-day course will provide those surveyors who plan to conduct drydock and internal structural examinations of inspected towing vessels for compliance with Subchapter M tools, skills, and knowledge to complete these examinations and provides a path toward an industry-recognized credential.

Who should attend:

  • Marine surveyors
  • Naval architects/naval engineers
  • Coast Guard Marine Inspectors and Investigators
  • Shipyard personnel involved in vessel repairs
  • Port engineers
  • Survey program managers
  • Individuals who intend to conduct drydock and internal structural examinations of ITVs

Click here for a full course description and registration.