Sept. 18, 2024

Final Rule (FR): Great Lakes Pilotage Modernization

The Coast Guard is amending certain Great Lakes Pilotage regulatory requirements to align with current Coast Guard and U.S. pilot association operations and pilotage practices. This final rule clarifies the different phases of training and types of registrations for pilots who work on the Great Lakes, eliminates outdated practices and redundant requirements, and adds much needed structure regarding the billing dispute process.

Sept. 4, 2024

National Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee Meetings - September 10 - 11, 2024

The National Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee (NMEDMAC) will hold a series of intersessional subcommittee meetings by teleconference on September 10, 2024, from 09:00 am – 4:00 pm, EDT; and will conduct NMEDMAC Meeting #8 by teleconference on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from 09:00 am - 4:00 pm, EDT.

Aug. 28, 2024

Membership Open: U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee 8 (TC8)

The U.S. Coast Guard, on behalf of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), administers the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee 8 (TC8). TC8 focuses on the development of technical and operational standards applicable to ships and marine technology.

Aug. 28, 2024

CVC Policy Letter 24-02 "Application of Fishing Vessel Construction Requirements”

CG-CVC has recently released CVC Policy Letter 24-02 “Application of Fishing Vessel Construction Requirements.” This directive communicates the Coast Guards thinking on applicable requirements that pertain to commercial fishing industry vessels as specified in 46 United States U.S. Code (U.S.C.) § 4503.

Aug. 28, 2024

Notice of Intent to Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on Type-Approval Testing Methods for Ballast Water Management Systems That Render Organisms Nonviable in Ballast Water

On March 3rd, 2022, the Commandant released a final Policy Letter 02-22: Type-Approval Testing Methods for Ballast Water Management Systems That Render Organisms Nonviable in Ballast Water. Follow-on activities to this Policy Letter, if testing methods are submitted, would include the possibility of USCG acceptance of a viability testing method to be used for type approval of a ballast water management system (BWMS) based upon viability. Acceptance of a viability testing method(s), if it occurs, would be Federal action that would trigger review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).