April 18, 2023

National Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee Meeting #4

The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing is holding the 4th meeting of the National Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee (NMEDMAC) on April 25 – 26, 2023 at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, 17220 Piney Point Rd., Piney Point, MD, 20674.

April 17, 2023

Federal Register Notice: Request for information on Coast Guard Vessel Response Plan and Maritime Oil-Spill Response Plan Advisory Group (MORPAG) recommendations

As a courtesy to our audience, Maritime Commons will provide a daily compilation of nationally-relevant Federal Register Notices, or those notices that may impact a large segment of our readers. To provide comments for the public record, follow the

April 17, 2023

Final Rule: Transportation Worker Identification Credential-facility reader requirement; conforming amendment

The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that it is amending its Risk Group A facility regulations so that their provisions to implement Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) electronic inspection requirements by May 8, 2023, is changed to May 8, 2026.

April 12, 2023

MSIB: Fire safety on small passenger vessels

The Coast Guard has published Marine Safety Information Bulletin 05-23, Fire Safety on Small Passenger Vessels, which encourages owners and operators to do a self-assessment of the fire safety of their vessel(s).

April 10, 2023

MSIB: Reduced Visibility from the Navigation Bridge

The Coast Guard Inspections and Compliance Directorate has released Marine Safety Information Bulletin 04-23, to advise mariners that an increasing number of break-bulk and retrofitted bulk carriers are arriving in the U.S. carrying wind turbine parts stowed in a manner that substantially limits visibility from the navigation bridge. Many of these vessels were issued dispensation letters by their flag administration or recognized organization that temporarily exempted compliance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974 Chapter V, Regulation 22, which specifies requirements regarding navigation bridge visibility standards.