USCG Bombshell: Technical Specialists on US Vessels Now Need MMCs – Foreign Ships Don’t
Important Clarification: US Flag Vessels Only First and foremost: This enforcement change only affects US-flagged vessels. Foreign-flagged vessels operating in US waters are not subject to these MMC requirements for their NOIs. This is a crucial distinction that provides some operational flexibility for the offshore industry. Understanding NOIs and the New Enforcement A Non-Operating Individual […]
USCG Electronic Notice of Arrival and Departure
The USCG Electronic Notice of Arrival and Departure (eNOAD) system is a crucial tool for vessel operators arriving in the United States. It allows them to submit required information to the USCG and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before arriving, improving maritime safety and security. Certain vessels, such as commercial vessels, foreign vessels, and certain […]
What you need to know about Salvage and Marine Firefighting contractors
A salvage and marine firefighting contractor (SMFF) is a company that specializes in providing services related to the recovery and protection of vessels, cargo, and the marine environment in the event of a maritime accident or incident. These services include: Salvage and marine firefighting contractors typically provide these services to commercial vessel owners and operators, […]
Non-Tank Vessel Response Plans
A Non-Tank Vessel Response Plan (NTVRP) is a response plan that is required by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for certain types of vessels that do not carry oil as cargo or fuel, but still have the potential to cause oil spills. The NTVRP outlines the procedures and resources that the vessel owner or operator […]
Working US Waters? These are the USCG requirements you must meet
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) requires strict liability for oil spills in the United States. The law was enacted after the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska. It holds vessel owners responsible for spills caused by their vessels, regardless of fault, and establishes the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to pay for […]