OCSNCOE Unit Emblem (silhouettes of a self-elevating MODU, an OSV and an offshore wind turbine over a silhouette of the United States with the U.S. Coast Guard mark (i.e., racing stripe) in the background).Outer Continental Shelf National Center of Expertise (OCSNCOE)

JACK ST. MALO during offshore construction with attending OSV and Floatel VICTORY. C-ENFORCER underway with water cannons flowing. SEVAN LOUISIANA underway when initially entering the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Platform GINA off the California coast. Block Island windfarm with attending CTV. SPARTAN 151 dockside in Seward, AK.

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Floating OCS Facilities (FOFs)

A floating OCS facility, as defined in 33 CFR 140.10, is "a buoyant OCS facility securely and substantially moored so that is cannot be moved without a special effort. This term includes tension leg platforms and permanently moored semisubmersibles or shipshape hulls but does not include mobile offshore drilling units and other vessels." [emphasis added]

Additional 33 CFR 140.10 definitions pertaining to the type of facility that also apply to a FOF include OCS facilitymanned facility and unit. §140.10 definitions that do NOT apply to a FOF include manned platform.

In accordance with changes related to USCG policies concerning oversight of FOFs (see CG-OES Policy Letter (PL) 01-22, CG-MMC PL 01-22 and D8(do) PL 01-2022), three floating production units (TurritellaBW Pioneer, and Helix Producer Ihave been deemed to be vessels by the D8 OCS OCMI (as also evidenced by documentation issued by the respective vessel's Administrations) and will no longer be considered FOFs per the 33 CFR 140.10 definition.

Please use the menu to the left or the links provided below to learn about various types of floating OCS facilities, also commonly referred to as floating offshore installations (FOIs), and the U.S. Coast Guard oversight of these facilities:

  ○ Types of Floating OCS Facilities

  ○ Regulations, Policy and Guidance applicable to FOFs

  ○ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)