USCG: 2019 Domestic Annual Report
June 10, 2020 – the USCG posted the 2019 Domestic Annual Report. In the report you will performance metrics for towing vessels and barges along with cargo vessels, OCS, research/school vessels and fishing vessels.
USCG: UPDATE RULE CHANGE – PIC of Fuel Oil Transfers on Inspected Vessels (MMC now optional)
Excerpt from Federal Register Notice – Vol 85, No. 102 05/27/2020
Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 155 [Docket No. USCG–2018–0493] RIN 1625–AC50 Person in Charge of Fuel Transfers AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is amending the requirements regulating personnel permitted to serve as a person in charge (PIC) of fuel oil transfers on an inspected vessel by adding the option of using a letter of designation (LOD) in lieu of a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) with a Tankerman-PIC endorsement. Obtaining an MMC with a Tankerman-PIC endorsement is now optional for PICs of fuel oil transfers on inspected vessels. This change is not limited to towing vessels, but one effect of this rule is that a PIC currently using the LOD option on an uninspected towing vessel may continue to do so once the vessel receives its Certificate of Inspection.
DATES: This final rule is effective May 27, 2020. CG–MMC Policy Letter 01–17 is cancelled effective May 27, 2020.
USCG: NVIC 01-16 CH2-USE OF ELECTRONIC CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS IN LIEU OF PAPER CHARTS, MAPS AND PUBLICATIONS
Excerpt from Federal Register Notice – Vol 85, No. 102 05/27/2020
PURPOSE. This Commandant Change Notice publishes a change to Use of Electronic Charts and Publications in Lieu of Paper Charts, Maps and Publications, Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular number 01-16, 16700.4.
MAJOR CHANGES. In response to recommendations from the Navigation Safety Advisory Council and the public, the Coast Guard updated its policy on electronic carriage of the Inland Navigation Rules and electronic publications in general. This Ch-2 to NVIC 01-16 revises the NVIC, Enclosure (1) and Enclosure (2) to allow electronic editions of the Inland Navigation Rules and Vessel Traffic Service Rules so long as operators are able to display ready reference current electronic editions on their electronic device without internet connectivity by a producing a previously downloaded copy. It also provides a path for mariners to access certain required publications which are not required to be ready reference via web services. Enclosure (2) is further updated to highlight which publications are required by existing regulations to be ready reference and removes the requirement for independent back-ups. Finally, Ch-2 makes non-substantive clarifying changes throughout the NVIC and enclosures.