TVIB News News and Updates

USCG Policy Letter on the Use of Existing SMSs To Obtain an Initial Certificate of Inspection (COI) Under 46 CFR Subchapter M

May 24, 2017

The Coast Guard issued the much anticipated policy letter for the use of existing safety management systems to obtain an initial Certificate of Inspection (COI) under 46 CFR Subchapter M. Following is an excerpt from CG-CVC Policy Letter 17-02:

POLICY. An owner or managing operator and a TPO of vessels choosing a TSMS option and seeking to obtain a vessel’s initial COI may use the following options as a means to provide objective evidence of a vessel’s use of an ISM-based SMS or Coast Guard accepted SMS as provided for in 46 CFR 138.225.

a.  Coast Guard accepted existing safety management system (Such as RCP)— with an audit completed within three years: A TPO may reduce the breadth and depth of the external management audit required for the TSMS Certificate. This may include only a sample of the TSMS elements to verify compliance. A vessel using this option must have been credited with a vessel audit and successfully completed a survey in accordance with 46 CFR 137.202(a) within one year prior to the date the vessel is scheduled for its initial COI issuance. The TPO must have objective evidence that the vessel is compliance with the applicable portions of Subchapter M such as documentation of an internal or external survey and an external audit. Also, there must be no outstanding major non-conformities associated with either the vessel’s audit or survey on the date the vessel is scheduled for its initial COI issuance. Consistent with 46 CFR 138.225(d), the OCMI, who will be conducting the initial COI inspection, must be able to examine the materials submitted by the owner or managing operator at least 30 days before the date the vessel is scheduled to be inspected to see if it contains objective evidence that non-conformities were identified and corrected.

b. Coast Guard accepted existing safety management system (such as RCP) —No audit within three years: If the owner or managing operator has been issued a TSMS Certificate, but the vessel has not undergone a safety management system audit, or the audit is beyond three years of the date the vessel is scheduled for its initial COI issuance, the TPO must conduct a vessel audit and confirm the completion of a satisfactory survey per Subchapter M regulations. The survey may either be an external survey performed by a TPO or an internal survey performed by appropriately-qualified in-house or contract personnel. An internal survey is subject to the verification of a TPO, but that verification need not include a visit to the vessel unless the TPO has reason to question the validity of the survey report or otherwise determines a visit is needed. Consistent with 46 CFR 136.210, 137.130(c), 137.202(a), and 138.225(d), the OCMI who will be conducting the initial COI inspection must be able to examine the materials submitted by the owner or managing operator at least 30 days before the date the vessel is scheduled to be inspected to see if it contains objective evidence that non-conformities were identified and corrected.

Click here to download the USCG Policy Letter in its entirety: CG-CVC Policy Letter 17-02

Come See TVIB at IMX 2017!

Come visit us at IMX 2017 in St. Louis from May 22-24.

We will be set up in booth 833 where we will have several key staff in attendance. Stop by and let us tell you about our TPO services, word-class training and education, and our highly trained and auditors and surveyors.

Chris Parsonage, TVIB’s Executive Director, will moderate a panel discussion on Tuesday from 11:00 am to 11:45 am in room 143. The education session will cover “Subchapter M – Focus on Internal Surveying Programs” with a panel of experienced surveyors, auditors, and towing company representatives.

See you next week, make sure to visit us in booth 833 and say hello.

TVIB at IMX 2017
TVIB at IMX 2017 – Booth 833

THE TPO YOU KNOW AND TRUST

TVIB at the IMX Show in St. Louis

TVIB will have a panel discussion on “Subchapter M – Focus on Internal Surveying Programs” on Tuesday, May 23rd. We have a panel of industry experts who will speak about the requirements for surveying under Subchapter M. Operators who choose the TSMS, or Towing Safety Management System, option for regulatory compliance have the option of building it with an internal survey program that includes Third-Party Organization (TPO) oversight, or using an external program with a TPO conducting the surveys.

We will have an exhibit booth set up to provide an opportunity to learn more about our organization and talk with our members.  Our members, auditors, and surveyors are some of the most experienced brown water professionals around. We have a broad geographic dispersion of auditors and surveyors to serve your TPO needs.  We will also host the 2-day Marine Internal Lead Auditor (MILA) course in conjunction with the show.

TVIB will conduct it’s Spring Board of Directors and Annual Membership Meeting on Monday, May 22nd from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Click here for more information.


TVIB – THE TPO YOU KNOW AND TRUST

  • Click here for more information about IMX show that runs from May 22-24, 2017 in St. Louis, MO.
  • Riverworks Discovery is holding a “Who Works the Rivers” career fair on Wednesday May, 24th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Click here to access their Facebook events page for more information.
  • Click here for information on our Marine Internal Lead Auditor (MILA) course that will run Mon/Tue – May 22nd & 24th.