Outer Continental Shelf National Center of Expertise

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Recently added/updated resources on this site:

○ Job Aids (similar to the legacy CG-840 books) for Floating OCS Facilities, Fixed Platforms, Mobile Offshore Drilling Units and Offshore Supply Vessels
○ OSV reference books and 'old' CFRs
○ Training Aids for MODU examination 'options' (A, B & C)
○ Policy letters applicable to the OCS, categorized by unit/vessel type and available on the respective unit/vessel pages under the "Regulations, Policy & Guidance" menu item
○  NVICs applicable to the OCS, categorized by unit/vessel type and available on the respective unit/vessel pages under the "Regulations, Policy & Guidance" menu item
  ○ Memorandums of Understanding and Memorandums of Agreement with other federal agencies and industry partners
○ OCS Inspections Organization Chart
○  Drill Down #12, Existing OSVs
○ Updated MODU Applicability Flowchart

About Us

The Outer Continental Shelf National Center of Expertise (OCSNCOE) is currently located in Morgan City, LA and is the repository of Coast Guard expertise and best practices on Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) activities. Like other NCOEs, the OCSNCOE is focused on raising the competency, capabilities and consistency of Coast Guard inspection/examination and oversight in our area of focus - OCS activities and the various types of units and vessels that conduct and support those activities.

The OCSNCOE is poised to provide training and mission support to the Coast Guard, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the offshore industry (drilling, production and support vessels). These responsibilities are carried out by regular communication and interaction with industry groups and operators, Coast Guard inspectors/investigators at units involved with OCS-related activities, FORCECOM and Coast Guard Headquarters offices.

Our unit consists of 6 members (3 active duty and 3 civilian) that are further discussed on the Staff page of this site. We are supported by a civilian Training Specialist, Mr. Mark Gandolfo, who is a detached-duty member of the CG-5P-TI Training Support Staff (tss) located at Training Center Yorktown. He works with the OCSNCOE on all training/workforce development related products.

Contact Information

800 David Drive, Suite 117
Morgan City, LA 70380
Hours: 7:30 AM - 4 PM, Central

Group email: HQS-DG-OCS-NCOE@uscg.mil
Click on the member's name below for a direct e-mail to that member:

CDR Ben Gates	Detachment Chief	(985) 380-5304
LT Kenn Yuen	National Technical Advisor	(985) 380-5351
LT Vince Carreon	Technical Advisor	(985) 380-5303
Mr. Eric Verdin	Technical Advisor	(985) 380-5364
Mr. Gene Sykes	Technical Advisor	(985) 380-5360
Mr. Harley Bates	Technical Advisor	No direct office line

NCOE Establishment

National Centers of Expertise (NCOEs) were initiated in 2007 as part of the Marine Safety Enhancement Plan and documented via ALCOAST messages. ALCOAST 131/09 established expectations for all NCOEs. The purpose of NCOEs was formally established in law by HR 3619, Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010, Section 521, which amended Title 14 U.S. Code Chapter 3 by adding paragraph 58:

14 USC 58 - Centers of expertise for Coast Guard prevention and response
(a) Establishment - The Commandant of the Coast Guard may establish and operate one or more centers of expertise for prevention and response missions of the Coast Guard (in this section referred to as a "center").
(b) Missions - Any center established under subsection (a) shall -
(1) promote, facilitate, and conduct -
(A) education;
(B) training; and
(C) activities authorized under section 93(a)(4);
(2) be a repository of information on operations, practices, and resources related to the mission for which the center was established; and
(3) perform and support the mission for which the center was established.