Navigating the Regulatory Seas

The latest from the Coast Guard…

USCG Marine Safety Alert 1-08
Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship
May 9, 2008

Washington, DC

Maintaining Vessel Watertight Integrity

This Safety Alert addresses two issues: watertight integrity and high level
bilge alarms.

Recently a marine casualty involving a fishing vessel in the Bering Sea
resulted in multiple fatalities and complete loss of the vessel. A Marine
Board of Investigation is currently examining the various circumstances
surrounding the casualty. Although the investigation is not complete,
testimony indicates the flooding of the vessel may have been exacerbated
due to open or leaking watertight doors and other compartmental deficiencies
which impacted the vessel’s overall watertight integrity.
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Here is the latest from the Holland and Knight newsletter regarding Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) for all you passenger vessels out there.

The US Coast Guard promulgated its final rule requiring certain ships to report identifying and position data electronically, utilizing the Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) system. The rule requires transmission of the LRIT data, effective December 31, 2008 for the following ships, while engaged on an international voyage: (1) passenger ships, including high speed passenger craft; (2) cargo ships, including high speed craft, of 300 gross tonnage or more; and (3) mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) while underway and not engaged in drilling operations.

For the rest of the document, click 73 Fed. Reg. 23310

In case you missed the latest in Homeland Security news yesterday, here are the new compliance dates for obtaining your TWIC:

- October 15, 2008 – ALL 33 CFR Part 105 compliant facilities in Sector Southeastern New England must comply with TWIC.

- April 15, 2009 – ALL Merchant Mariners and 33 CFR Part 104 compliant vessels must comply with TWIC.

- June 2008 – Sector Southeastern New England will sponsor Port Safety and Security Forum’s in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to answer additional questions regarding TWIC compliance.

The Department of Homeland Security Press Release on TWIC compliance dates is provided below for your information. If you have questions, please call LT Merridith Morrison at (401) 435-2361 or Merridith.R.Morrison@uscg.mil.

Department of Homeland Security Press Release

From the U.S. Department of Homeland Security….

DHS REALIGNS TWIC COMPLIANCE DATE

WASHINGTON – The U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced that the final compliance date for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program will be April 15, 2009, which reflects a realignment of the Sept. 25, 2008 compliance date set in the final rule. The seven month extension is a direct result of collaboration with port officials and industry, and realigns the enrollment period with the original intent of the TWIC final rule.

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From the Holland and Knight Newsletter: USCG – reminder to replace older EPIRBs

The US Coast Guard issued a press release reminding mariners that older model Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) that broadcast on 121.5 MHz or 243 MHz will not be monitored by satellite as of February 1, 2009. Effective that date, the satellites will only monitor for radio beacons broadcasting on 406 MHz. Some of the newer EPIRBs are equipped with embedded GPS, which will automatically signal the location of the distress.

The official press release after the jump.