Posted:
July 30, 2012
The North American Emissions Control Area (ECA), a region near U.S. shorelines that requires stricter vessel emission controls, will come into effect on Aug. 1. The Coast Guard recently issued guidelines for verifying compliance with the regulations. Also released was a job aid to be used by Coast Guard marine inspectors and port state control officers.
"The job aid is a useful guide for captains and chief engineers to have in hand prior to any visit from the Coast Guard," said AMO National Vice President for Government Relations Mike Murphy.
The ECA was created using MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14, which governs sulfur oxides and particulate matter emissions, as well as Regulation 18, which governs fuel oil availability and quality. Vessels operating within 200 miles of the U.S. shoreline (with exceptions) must comply with these regulations.
Vessels unable to purchase low-sulfur fuel due to non-availability must notify the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Additionally, the Coast Guard policy letter states: "When a U.S. flag ship encounters a situation where compliant fuel oil could not be purchased while in a U.S. or foreign port, in addition to notifying the EPA, the ship's crew shall also inform the U.S. Coast Guard's Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance via . The e-mail subject line should include the following text: U.S. Flag-ECA- Non-availability of compliant fuel oil."
The Coast Guard also advised that when a vessel experiences equipment casualty or failure, the "master or owner of the ship" must report to the administration. The Coast Guard "expects a certain degree of redundancy" to prevent non-compliance with the ECA.
Separately, the Coast Guard released a job aid to be used by Coast Guard marine inspectors and port state control officers to assist in identifying and documenting deficiencies discovered during inspection/examinations of U.S. and foreign-flagged ships. The guidance notes that some U.S. vessels operating exclusively in domestic trades and already using compliant distillate fuels will be exempt from ECA regulations. Historic steamships, steam turbine engines, reciprocating steam engines or other vessels operating on the Great Lakes may also be exempt.
The job aid recommends ship operators use their Safety Management System to detail procedures for compliance with and to document non-compliance with the ECA regulations.
The Coast Guard job aid can be downloaded directly: Click Here.
The Coast Guard policy letter can be downloaded directly: Click Here.
Coast Guard issues guidance on Emissions Control Area compliance
The North American Emissions Control Area (ECA), a region near U.S. shorelines that requires stricter vessel emission controls, will come into effect on Aug. 1. The Coast Guard recently issued guidelines for verifying compliance with the regulations. Also released was a job aid to be used by Coast Guard marine inspectors and port state control officers.
"The job aid is a useful guide for captains and chief engineers to have in hand prior to any visit from the Coast Guard," said AMO National Vice President for Government Relations Mike Murphy.
The ECA was created using MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14, which governs sulfur oxides and particulate matter emissions, as well as Regulation 18, which governs fuel oil availability and quality. Vessels operating within 200 miles of the U.S. shoreline (with exceptions) must comply with these regulations.
Vessels unable to purchase low-sulfur fuel due to non-availability must notify the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Additionally, the Coast Guard policy letter states: "When a U.S. flag ship encounters a situation where compliant fuel oil could not be purchased while in a U.S. or foreign port, in addition to notifying the EPA, the ship's crew shall also inform the U.S. Coast Guard's Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance via . The e-mail subject line should include the following text: U.S. Flag-ECA- Non-availability of compliant fuel oil."
The Coast Guard also advised that when a vessel experiences equipment casualty or failure, the "master or owner of the ship" must report to the administration. The Coast Guard "expects a certain degree of redundancy" to prevent non-compliance with the ECA.
Separately, the Coast Guard released a job aid to be used by Coast Guard marine inspectors and port state control officers to assist in identifying and documenting deficiencies discovered during inspection/examinations of U.S. and foreign-flagged ships. The guidance notes that some U.S. vessels operating exclusively in domestic trades and already using compliant distillate fuels will be exempt from ECA regulations. Historic steamships, steam turbine engines, reciprocating steam engines or other vessels operating on the Great Lakes may also be exempt.
The job aid recommends ship operators use their Safety Management System to detail procedures for compliance with and to document non-compliance with the ECA regulations.
The Coast Guard job aid can be downloaded directly: Click Here.
The Coast Guard policy letter can be downloaded directly: Click Here.