Rig Inspection Protocol for ASTA Member Vessels

Recently, ASTA has been working to develop recommended procedures for conducting rig inspections.  We are doing this at the invitation of the USCG, intending that this could provide an alternative to their imposition of a REQUIREMENT that operators hire independent third party inspectors to inspect their rigs. 

  This is important to all inspected vessel operators – the results of our discussion may potentially have lasting impact on the USCG inspection process as it pertains to sailing rigs.

For those staying for the Safety Forum tomorrow, click below for the PDF of the Rig Inspection Protocol which will be covered during the session.  This is important to all inspected vessel operators – the results of our discussion may potentially have lasting impact on the USCG inspection process as it pertains to sailing rigs.We look forward to Members’ thoughts and reactions during the safety Forum on 7 November. 

Rig Inspection Protocol

 

Release of the new Merchant Mariner Credential Medical Evaluation Forms

October 30, 2009

Today the Coast Guard is releasing revised versions of the Merchant Mariner Credential Medical Evaluation Report form (CG-719 K, Revision 01-09) and the Merchant Mariner Evaluation of Fitness for Entry Level Ratings form (CG-719 K/E, Revision 01-09) to facilitate obtaining objective medical information for use in evaluating merchant mariner credential applications. These forms are now available for voluntary use until December 31, 2009. All physical exams completed on or after January 1, 2010 must be documented on Revision 01-09.

 

New Search Feature on NMS’s Website

The latest from the Coast Guard

The National Maritime Center is proud to announce the new search funtion on their website. Please try one of the two methods listed below:

 

Reporting Main Propulsion Failures

 Coast Guard (a.) reminds Masters of requirement to report loss of main propulsion, (b.) advises of “lessons learned from casualty investigations and (c.) issued an internal policy letter clarifying and updating its Marine Inspector/Port State Control Officer (MI/PSCO) Certification Policy.

 US Coast Guard Sector New Orleans issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin reminding masters of the requirement to report the loss of main propulsion and other primary control systems immediately after addressing the resultant safety concerns. In addition, a written report must be submitted within five days. (10/16/09).

 http://media.tmmarket.com/marex/media/pdf/USCG_Main_Prop_Reporting.pdf

 

NTSB – Recommendations regarding Obstructive Sleep Apnea

From Bryant’s Maritime Blog

http://www.ntsb.gov/Recs/letters/2009/M09_14_16.pdf

 M-09-14 through -16 (10/20/09)

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sent a set of three formal safety recommendations to the US Coast Guard concerning obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The NTSB noted that the pilots involved in the 1995 grounding of a cruise ship in Alaska and the 1997 allision of a container ship with a bridge abutment in San Francisco Bay both suffered from OSA and the chronic fatigue accompanying OSA may have been a factor in both casualties. The NTSB thus recommends that the Coast Guard modify its Merchant Mariner Physical Examination Report to elicit specific information concerning OSA; implement a program to identify mariners who may be at high risk for OSA; and disseminate guidance regarding identification and treatment of OSA.