Posted:
June 22, 2016
On June 20, the U.S. Coast Guard published its Inspection of Towing Vessels final rule in the Federal Register. The final rule takes effect July 20, 2016 and the complete document, which includes the Coast Guard's responses to public comments, is available online.
According to the Coast Guard, "This rule creates a comprehensive safety system that includes company compliance, vessel compliance, vessel standards, and oversight in a new Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) subchapter dedicated to towing vessels. This rule, which (with exceptions) generally applies to all U.S.-flag towing vessels 26 feet or more, and those less than 26 feet moving a barge carrying oil or hazardous material in bulk, lays out both inspection mechanisms as well as new equipment, construction, and operational requirements for towing vessels.
"This rule will affect approximately 5,509 U.S.-flag towing vessels engaged in pushing, pulling, or hauling alongside, and the 1,096 companies that own or operate them. Towing vessels not covered by this rule include towing vessels inspected under Subchapter I, work boats, and recreational vessel towing vessels," according to the Coast Guard.
The final rule implements most of the provisions of the notice of proposed rulemaking published in August 2011, but includes changes addressing comments submitted by the public and the industry, according to the Coast Guard.
U.S. Coast Guard 'Inspection of Towing Vessels' final rule takes effect July 20, 2016
On June 20, the U.S. Coast Guard published its Inspection of Towing Vessels final rule in the Federal Register. The final rule takes effect July 20, 2016 and the complete document, which includes the Coast Guard's responses to public comments, is available online.
According to the Coast Guard, "This rule creates a comprehensive safety system that includes company compliance, vessel compliance, vessel standards, and oversight in a new Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) subchapter dedicated to towing vessels. This rule, which (with exceptions) generally applies to all U.S.-flag towing vessels 26 feet or more, and those less than 26 feet moving a barge carrying oil or hazardous material in bulk, lays out both inspection mechanisms as well as new equipment, construction, and operational requirements for towing vessels.
"This rule will affect approximately 5,509 U.S.-flag towing vessels engaged in pushing, pulling, or hauling alongside, and the 1,096 companies that own or operate them. Towing vessels not covered by this rule include towing vessels inspected under Subchapter I, work boats, and recreational vessel towing vessels," according to the Coast Guard.
The final rule implements most of the provisions of the notice of proposed rulemaking published in August 2011, but includes changes addressing comments submitted by the public and the industry, according to the Coast Guard.