Posted: January 15, 2020

U.S. Coast Guard: Seafarers' shore access - important dates to remember


The following article was posted on the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Commons blog.

The Office of Port and Facility Compliance is reminding the industry of approaching deadlines associated with the Seafarers' Access to Maritime Facilities Final Rule, which was effective May 1, 2019.

Each facility owner or operator must implement a system for providing access through the facility that enables individuals to transit to and from a moored vessel in accordance with guidelines found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 33 CFR 105.237. Access procedures must be documented in the Facility Security Plan for each facility and approved by the local Captain of the Port.

  • A system for seafarers' shore access must be documented in your Facility Security Plan (FSP) on or before February 3, 2020.
  • The facility owner/operator must implement their Coast Guard approved seafarers' access system by June 1, 2020.
  • Coast Guard enforcement of the Seafarers' Access to Maritime Facilities Final Rule begins June 1, 2020.

For questions, contact the Office of Port and Facility Compliance at .

Previous posts about this Final Rule: