TVIB News News and Updates

USCG: FR Amendments to the Marine Radar Observer Refresher Training Regulations

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Federal Register Vol. 84, 026/07/2019 – 46 CFR Parts 10, 11, and 15 Amendments to the Marine Radar Observer Refresher Training Regulations

EXCERPTS – Download link below for full notice.

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is revising its merchant mariner credentialing regulations to remove obsolete portions of the radar observer requirements and harmonize the radar observer endorsement with the merchant mariner credential. These revisions will reduce an unnecessary financial burden on mariners required to hold a radar observer endorsement. This rule will affect mariners who have served on radar-equipped vessels, in a position that routinely uses radar for 1 year in the previous 5 years for navigation and collision avoidance purposes, and mariners who have taught a Coast Guard-approved or accepted radar course at least twice within the past 5 years. These mariners will no longer be required to complete a Coast Guard- approved or accepted radar refresher or recertification course in order to renew their radar observer endorsements. We are retaining the existing requirements for mariners seeking an original radar observer endorsement and for mariners who do not have 1 year of routine relevant sea service on board radar- equipped vessels in the previous 5 years or have not taught a Coast Guard- approved or accepted radar course at least twice within the past 5 years. This final rule adopts, with modification, the notice of proposed rulemaking published on June 11, 2018.

DATES: This final rule is effective July 22, 2019.

Click here to download Federal Register Vol. 84, 06/07/2019 – 46 CFR Parts 10, 11, and 15 Amendments to the Marine Radar Observer Refresher Training Regulations

AWO: RCP Certificaiton​ Alignment with TSMS Certificates

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June 3, 2019

The AWO Standards Board recently shared two memos and guidance to clarify the alignment of a member’s RCP certification dates with their TSMS certificate dates for RCP certified companies that elected the TSMS option.

The two memos cover the following:

  1. The first clarifies that correspondence shared by AWO with its members in 2015 which contained an audit transition plan for AWO members implementing the AWO Board-approved changes to the RCP which were designed to ensure its acceptance by the USCG as an existing TSMS under Subchapter M. The memo notes that for those members who have aligned their RCP certification date with that of their company’s initial TSMS Certificate issuance date, the audit transition plan shared in 2015 conflicts and is therefore no longer applicable. This memo directs those companies – who have aligned their compliance dates – to follow the five-year audit schedule from that date forward.
  2. The second memo deals with the alignment of RCP certification dates and initial TSMS Certificate issuance dates (mentioned above). The RCP Standards Board is extending the date by which companies who already have already received their initial TSMS Certificate and have had it for more than 90 days to still request alignment no later than July 1, 2019. This will allow companies who perhaps have not taken the opportunity to align their dates, and still want to, to do so.

For TVIB TPO customers that are RCP certified, please confirm that you have aligned your RCP certification date to your TSMS certificate date. If you have NOT done, please take benefit of the final extension and do so NO LATER than July 1, 2019.

After this deadline you will not be allowed to align your two certifications and will likely have duplicative audit cycles.

Click here to download both memos (we have packaged them together in a singled PDF).

TVIB Weclomes New Staff Member

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We have expanded our staff by adding the position of Audit/Survey Coordinator.  We would like to welcome Caleb King to TVIB.  Initially Caleb will be focused on coordinating the processing of audits and surveys while working to support our TPO customers with CG-835V/Marine Casualty concerns. 

Caleb brings over 22 years of marine related experience, having most recently served as the Compliance Director for Inland Marine Service, where he was responsible for Subchapter M implementation; safety, heath, environmental, and quality programs; and tracking key metrics to help guide the leadership team.  Caleb has also served in various capacities for Seacor Holdings/SCF Marine, Marquette Transportation, and Ingram Barge Company.  He served 23 ½ years with the U. S. Coast Guard (8 years Active Duty and 15 ½ Reserve Duty), retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer.  The majority of his Coast Guard career was in the Marine Safety field and assignments included CGC Venturous, MSO Charleston (SC), MSU Paducah, Integrated Support Command St. Louis, and MSU Texas City.

At various times in his career, Caleb has been involved in the AWO Safety Committee.  He is currently serving as President for the International Propeller Club of the United States – Port of Paducah. An interesting fact that most of his industry peers do not know about him is that he is a play by play announcer for a local radio station.  He covers high school soccer and occasionally covers basketball, softball, and baseball.

Coupling Caleb’s training and experience with the Coast Guard and within the industry, he brings perspective and capabilities that will be put to use immediately.  Caleb is located in Paducah, Kentucky. Please be sure to wecome him when you get a chance, you will find his contact info on the website under Contact Us and Our Staff.

With the expansion of our staff resources, TPO Customers are reminded that they should be calling our 24-hour Response Line when in need of assistance with CG-835Vs and Marine Casualty closeout when TPO involvement has been requested by the local OCMI. Utilizing the 24-hour response line will ensure your concerns are directed to the appropriate staff member.

24-Hour Response Line – 888-983-TVIB (8842)