Office of Design and Engineering Standards (CG-ENG)
Formerly (CG-521), (CG-3PSE), and (G-MSE)
Mission:
The Office of Design and Engineering Standards is responsible for developing and promulgating national regulations and standards that govern the safe design and construction of ships and shipboard equipment, including hull structure, stability, electrical & mechanical systems, lifesaving & fire safety equipment, and related equipment approval and laboratory acceptance. Additionally, it establishes policy, provides technical clarifications, and resolves any appeals. Furthermore, it represents the United States on several committees and sub-committees at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and is actively engaged with various standards committees (e.g., ASTM, IEEE, NFPC, etc) as well as classification society rules committees (e.g., ABS, LR, DNV, etc.).
Divisions:
The office is divided into four technical divisions:
- Naval Architecture Division (CG-ENG-2) is responsible for policy and standards development in the traditional areas of stability, structures, and load lines and also functions as the administrator of the Ship Structure Committee and of updates to the Assumed Average Weight Per Person (AAWPP).
- Systems Engineering Division (CG-ENG-3) is responsible for policy and standards development in the traditional areas of marine electrical and mechanical systems, including related equipment approvals and laboratory acceptance.
- Lifesaving and Fire Safety Division (CG-ENG-4) is responsible for lifesaving and fire safety standards and regulations, including related equipment approvals and laboratory acceptance.
- Hazardous Materials Division (CG-ENG-5) is responsible for policy and standards development related to transportation, storage, and handling of hazardous materials in the marine environment, including vapor control systems and packaged hazardous materials & solid hazardous materials in bulk.
Recent Notices:
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Design Guidance for Lithium-Ion Battery Installations Onboard Commercial Vessels. The Coast Guard announces the release of CG-ENG-Policy Letter 02-19 “Design Guidance for Lithium-Ion Battery Installations Onboard Commercial Vessels”, to improve the plan approval process for LI-ion battery installations. With the publication of ASTMF3353-19, an acceptable standard for all U.S. commercial vessels will now be used for new installations of Li-ion battery systems. ASTM F3353-19 meets an equivalent level of safety as the existing regulations in 46 CFR Subchapter J for Li-ion batteries and gives guidance on Testing requirements, Operating Environment, Fire safety, Battery system design, and maintenance.
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IMO Approves Resolution on Maritime Cyber Risk Management. At the 98th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 98), the International Maritime Organization approved Resolution MSC.428(98) Maritime Cyber Risk Management in Safety Management Systems. The Coast Guard will continue to work with our industry partners to develop a clear and achievable path towards compliance and foster a resilient risk management approach towards cyber risks. You can submit your feedback to the Coast Guard via email to Catherine.M.Paris@uscg.mil or call 202-372-1374.
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Approval of Navigation Equipment. The Coast Guard announces the publication of Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 8-01 Change 3, Approval of Navigation Equipment. The Circular provides voluntary guidance for approval of navigation equipment, as required under Regulation V/18, of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended in 2000 (SOLAS). It revises NVIC No. 8-01, Change 2 by adding an approval process (series) for the Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS) and updating various approval series to reflect the most applicable standards, resolutions, and processes.
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Clarification and Guidance for Implementation of Marine VCS. The Coast Guard announces the release of CG-ENG Policy Letter 02-16 to provide guidance on the implementation and interpretation of the final rule for the design and operation of new and existing marine vapor control systems (VCS) designed and installed in accordance with 33 CFR Part 154, subpart P. Specifically, the policy letter interprets requirements for line size expansions and liquid seal/anti-flashback burner compliance.
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IMO Approves Interim Guidelines on Maritime Cyber Risk Management. At the 96th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 96), the International Maritime Organization approved the Interim Guidelines on Maritime Cyber Risk Management, which have been published as circular MSC.1/Circ. 1526. The intent is to review and implement the Guidelines and identify areas for improvement to be brought to the attention of MSC 97 (November 2016). You can submit your feedback to the Coast Guard via email to Catherine.M.Paris@uscg.mil or call 202-372-1374.
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Portable Accommodation Module (PAM) Guidance. The Coast Guard announces the release of CG-ENG Policy Letter 01-16 to provide consolidated guidance for the design, plan review, installation, inspection, and documentation of PAMs built for and/or installed on inspected vessels or facilities.
CG-ENG Policy Letters:
Past Notices:
Additional Technical Information:
Contact the Office of Design and Engineering Standards (CG-ENG):
Office of Design & Engineering Standards (CG-ENG)
U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters
2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE STOP 7509
Washington, D.C. 20593-7509