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

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.

The revised form has been designed to work in concert with the information contained in the Medical and Physical Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant Mariner Credentials, (NVIC 04-08). A complete Medical Evaluation Form is essential for NMC to process an application in a timely manner. To assist mariners and the Verifying Medical Practitioner (VMP) with submitting a complete report form, we are providing a printable Instruction Guide. We are also providing electronic forms that can be completed on line, which will include embedded electronic instructions to assist mariners and medical practitioners with completing the forms.

Mariners with diagnosed medical conditions or who are taking prescription medication should carefully review the information in NVIC 04-08, the Instruction Guide, and the CG-719K or K/E forms. It is highly recommended that mariners bring the Instruction Guide and forms, along with the applicable sections of the NVIC 04-08 that pertain to their specific medical conditions, with them when they have their physical exam so that the medical provider can supply recommended evaluation documentation for any diagnosed medical conditions. This medical documentation should be submitted along with the CG-719 K form at the time of application. The use of the resources being made available should result in less missing information and a faster processing time.

Available Resources on NMC’s official website:

                        Instruction Guide to the Merchant Mariner Credential Medical Evaluation Report (CG-719 K & K/E)

                        Electronic CG-719 K with embedded instructions

                        Electronic CG-719 K/E

For questions on the use of these forms, please contact NMC by using our contact form, select “Medical” in the category drop down, found at http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/contact_iasknmc.asp?Category=Medicalor by calling 1-888-IASKNMC.

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:

1. In the upper right corner of every page there is a search box. Directly below that box is a field titled Search Current Unit with a check box next to it. If you click on the check box (checkmark will appear), it will limit your search items contained within the NMC website.

2. If you click on the Site Map on the left menu, the search box contained on that page will automatically search only the NMC website.

The NMC will continue to upgrade this service by increasing the number of keyword searches available. Please contact the webmaster with suggestions.

National Maritime Center

100 Forbes Drive
Martinsburg, WV 25404
phone: 304.433.3400
fax:  304.433.3409
email: iasknmc@uscg.mil

 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

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.