TVIB News U.S. Coast Guard

USCG: CG-CVC Policy Letter 18-01 Guidance On The Audit Scheme For Vessels Using A Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) Option

Written by

01/25/2018

The Coast Guard Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance issued CG-CVC Policy Letter 18-01 Guidance On The Audit Scheme For Vessels Using A Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) Option.

The purpose of this policy letter is to provide clarification and guidance to the Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise (NCOE), Officer(s) in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI), Third Party Organizations (TPO), and the marine industry on the vessel audit scheme during phase-in and post phase-in periods for vessels whose owners have chosen to use the TSMS option.

Click here to download CG-CVC Policy Letter 18-01

USCG: D8 Sub M Towing Vessel Inspections Field Notice

Written by

January 24, 2018

The U.S Coast Guard Eighth District published a policy letter related to Towing Vessel Inspections Field Notice that addresses a number of items that have been deemed to pose a minimal risk to the operational safety of the towing vessel fleet. The letter provides enforcement guidance to Operational Commanders when considering deficiencies or non-conformities during the implementation of Subchapter M throughout the Eighth Coast Guard District.

Click here to download D8-TVIFN 18-1.

USCG: MSC Guidelines for Review of Stability for Towing Vessels (M)

Written by

12/04/2017

The Coast Guard Marine Safety Center published a revision to MSC Guidelines for Review of Stability for Towing Vessels (M) (Procedure NumberL H1-04).  The document serves as the Plan Review Guideline that is applicable to stability calculations reviewed by the MSC for towing vessels with a keel laid on or after July 20, 2017; or underwent a major conversion on or after July 20, 2017.

Stability review for a towing vessel under Subchapter M does not need to be completed by MSC. The owner of the vessel has the following options:

  1. A registered professional engineer (P.E.) licensed by one of the states of the United States or the District of Columbia
  2. An authorized classification society that has been delegated the authority to issue the SOLAS Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate under 46 CFR 8.320
  3. The Coast Guard

Click here to download MSC Guidelines for Review of Stability for Towing Vessels (M)