[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24531]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 4, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
46 CFR Ch. I
[CCD 94-080]

 

Alternate Inspection Compliance Programs for the U.S. Maritime 
Industry

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of meeting; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: As part of its Maritime Regulatory Reform Initiative, the U.S. 
Coast Guard is developing programs to provide alternatives by which the 
U.S. maritime industry can demonstrate compliance with applicable 
vessel design, construction, equipment and operational requirements. A 
number of concepts are under consideration, including a program to 
accept tests and examinations performed by vessel owners or operators 
who employ a rigorous system of safety management. The Coast Guard 
desires input from the maritime industry on the safety management 
systems now in use and their value in assuring vessel safety. The Coast 
Guard will conduct a public meeting to obtain information from members 
of the regulated community and the general public on this issue.

DATES: The meeting will be held November 7, 1994 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m. Written material should be submitted not later than November 21, 
1994.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 2415, Coast Guard 
Headquarters, 2100 Second Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20593. Written 
comments may be mailed to the Executive Secretary, Marine Safety 
Council (G-LRA), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 Second Street, S.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20593-0001, or may be delivered to room 3406 at the 
same address between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LCDR David L. Scott, Project Manager, Commandant (G-MVI-1), U.S. Coast 
Guard, 2100 Second Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20593, telephone 
(202) 267-1464.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Coast Guard has been actively engaged in 
maritime policy reforms designed to enhance the competitiveness of the 
U.S. maritime industry. One aspect of maritime policy reform is to 
provide efficient and cost effective alternatives by which owners and 
operators of inspected vessels can demonstrate compliance with 
applicable laws and regulations. One concept under consideration is to 
credit tests and examinations of a vessel's systems, components or 
equipment performed by the vessel's owners, operators or authorized 
third parties as satisfying Coast Guard inspection requirements. This 
concept can provide vessel owners and operators with greater 
flexibility in complying with Coast Guard inspection requirements and 
may significantly reduce the time necessary to complete, or may 
eliminate, certain periodic Coast Guard inspections.
    Under such a program, vessel owners, operators or authorized third 
parties would conduct periodic tests and examinations in accordance 
with written procedures acceptable to the Coast Guard. These procedures 
would indicate the purpose and methodology of the test, as well as the 
qualifications of the personnel who perform and validate the test. They 
would also indicate how the test is to be documented. Periodic Coast 
Guard inspections would involve verifying the company's inspection 
records for the vessel and assessing the crew's ability to respond to 
likely shipboard emergencies.
    This concept is predicated on the vessel owner or operator 
employing a rigorous system of safety management. The Coast Guard is 
seeking to establish the characteristics for a safety management system 
which should be recognized under this program. There are many ways to 
support the quality of safety management systems, such as the ISO 9000 
series, the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of 
Ships and for Pollution Prevention (International Safety Management 
[ISM] Code), the International Ship Managers Association Code of Ship 
Management Standards, or company specific in-house safety management 
systems, all of which if properly implemented and maintained, may 
provide a basis for Coast Guard acceptance of owner, operator or third 
party testing.
    To aid the Coast Guard's efforts to establish the criteria for a 
recognized safety management system, and establish guidelines for 
alternative compliance inspection programs, views are solicited on the 
following questions:
    1. What are the essential elements of a shipboard safety management 
system?
    2. How should the effectiveness of a company's safety management 
system be measured?
    3. How does a company get its safety management system qualified?
    4. Should a company's safety system be certified by an independent 
quality system registrar as a condition for recognition by the Coast 
Guard?
    5. What specific qualifications may be required of company 
personnel, including shipboard personnel, involved in the 
implementation and maintenance of a safety management system?
    6. What other conditions should a company meet in order to 
participate in an alternative inspection compliance program?
    7. Should the interval of Coast Guard inspections for vessels 
operating under a recognized safety management system be random 
boardings or fixed dates?
    8. Should the scope of periodic Coast Guard inspections be modified 
based upon a company's voluntary certification to the ISM Code?
    9. Must third parties who perform tests and inspection services on 
inspected vessels establish their own quality management system in 
order for vessel operators to receive Coast Guard inspection credit for 
third party activities?
    10. What constitutes satisfactory test and inspection procedures?
    11. What constitutes satisfactory documentation of tests and 
inspections?
    12. What qualifications are required for personnel performing tests 
and inspections, and validating tests and inspections?
    13. Which systems and equipment may be suitable for periodic 
testing by vessel owners, operators or third parties, and which should 
be retained by the Coast Guard?
    14. How much Coast Guard oversight is necessary for a company with 
a safety management system?
    Attendance is open to the public. With advance notice, and as time 
permits, members of the public may make oral presentations during the 
meeting. Persons wishing to make oral presentations should notify the 
person listed above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT no later than 
the day before the meeting. Written material may be submitted prior to, 
during, or after the meeting.

    Dated: September 29, 1994.
E. L. Ziff,
Acting Chief, Office of Marine Safety, Security and Environmental 
Protection.
[FR Doc. 94-24531 Filed 10-3-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M