TVIB News U.S. Coast Guard

USCG: Proposed Rule on User Fees for Inspected Towing Vessels – Is It On The Way?

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Published 10/05/2021

Click here to access the rulemaking announcement from reginfo.gov

Title: User Fees for Inspected Towing Vessels

Abstract: This rulemaking would revise user fees for towing vessels inspected under 46 CFR subchapter M and update the existing user fee in 46 CFR 2.10-101 for sea-going towing vessels inspected under 46 CFR subchapter I. These user fees are for services related to the inspection of these vessels and will reflect the differences in cost to the government to provide these services to vessels that use a safety management system involving a third party and vessels that do not.

Stay tuned for more developments.

USCG: Marine Safety Alert 04-21 Verify Your Wire Rope Terminations: Incorrect Terminations Can Lead to Catastrophic Failure

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07/08/2021 the USCG published Verify Your Wire Rope Terminations: Incorrect Terminations can lead to Catastrophic Failure on dco.uscg.mil.
You can click here to download MSA 04-21 or here to access the document on dco.uscg.mil.

USCG: Federal Register Notice: Proposed distribution of scheduled Navigation Safety Messages (Broadcast Notice to Mariners) by mobile and internet methods

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Published 07/15/2021

In 2020, the Coast Guard began making broadcast notices to mariners containing locally relevant information accessible by mobile devices and the internet. Previously, the only way to obtain this information in a timely fashion was to tune in to local Coast Guard broadcasts that take place on very high frequency (VHF) marine radio two or more times per day. The new methods of information delivery have included Rich Site Summary, also known as Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds, email, and other means such as map-based filtering. The Coast Guard has received public feedback indicating that mariners prefer the real-time accessibility of mobile and internet access to this information over scheduled VHF broadcasts, because access is more timely, reliable, convenient, and customizable. Also, some mariners have reported that VHF broadcast notice to mariners are bothersome, because they are perceived as unnecessary radio clutter that can be distracting when maneuvering along a dock, in ports or other areas of congested traffic. The Coast Guard is considering phasing out the process of distributing this information by routine VHF radio broadcasts, and is seeking public comment.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted to the online docket via https://www.regulations.gov on or before August 16, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For information about this document, please call or email Eugene Diotalevi, Coast Guard Navigation Center; telephone: 703-313-5800; email: Eugene.j.diotalevi@uscg.mil.