USCG announces changes to engineer manning requirements

The United States Coast Guard ussed a Marine Safety Information Bulletin on October 26, 2012 advising owners, operators and masters of U.S. vessels operating in Canadian waters of changes to engineer manning requirements.

Effective October 26, 2013, Canada will require US vessels, under their Marine Personnel Regualtions, to perform an engineeering watch on vessels having a propulsive power of at least 750kW (1000HP). The Canadian regulations will apply to vessels en route to and from a Canadian port. It will not apply to U.S. vessels transiting throught Canadian waters from one U.S. port directly to another.  Click here to continue reading the announcement

 

USCG – policy re STCW Convention

The US Coast Guard posted a notice stating that it is making available three policy letters providing guidance to vessels and mariners subject to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW Convention). CG-CVC Policy Letter 12-05 provides guidance on hours or rest requirements. It includes for possible use the IMO/ILO model format for record of hours of work or hours of rest of seafarers. CG-CVC Policy Letter 12-06 provides guidance on issuance of endorsements for Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties (VPDSD) and vessel personnel requiring security awareness training. CG-CVC Policy Letter 12-07 provides guidance on issuance of endorsements and approval of training to meet the 2010 amendments to the STCW Convention. 77 Fed. Reg. 62434 (October 15, 2012).

 

USCG – 2010 STCW amendments

The US Coast Guard issued guidance to covered US-flag vessels for implementing the 2010 amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 relating to hours of rest and security-related training. The 2010 amendments expanded application of hours of work and rest periods for mariners to include all personnel with designated safety, prevention of pollution, and security duties onboard any vessel; changed the weekly rest hours requirements from 70 hours to 77 hours; and required the recording of hours of rest. US-flag vessels operating in foreign ports should ensure that all personnel, other than the vessel security officer (VSO), are in possession of an appropriate course completion certificate or company letter of proof showing compliance with federal regulatory requirements and Section 13 of the ISPS Code. VSOs must hold the appropriate endorsement on their credential.

This guidance comes into effect immediately and will remain in effect until replaced by regulations implementing the 2010 STCW amendments. 77 Fed. Reg. 232 (January 4, 2012).

 

USCG – guidance re 2010 STCW amendments

The US Coast Guard issued a notice stating that it will publish in an upcoming Federal Register a notice announcing steps for implementation of the 2010 amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW Convention) concerning hours of rest and security-related training requirements. Because the final rule implementing the 2010 amendments to the STCW will not be published before those amendments come into force on January 1, 2012, there is a need to provide guidance on the implementation of the amendments, as they will impact US-flag vessels subject to STCW.

MSIB 058-11 (12/30/11).

 

 

USCG – proposed regulatory changes for STCW 2010

 

The US Coast Guard placed in the official docket for its rulemaking project to implement the 2010 amendments to the STCW Convention a document entitled Redline for STCW 2010. This 421-page document shows the various changes the Coast Guard proposes to make to Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (8/1/11)