Policy and Guidance applicable to Fixed OCS Facilities (Fixed Platforms)
The content listed below is available on this page. Use the tabs above to view the following categories:
1) COMDTINST 16000.76, Marine Safety: OCS Inspections (previously MSM Volume II, Section G);
2) Self-Inspection Form;
3) Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs);
4) National Policy;
5) District Eight (Gulf of Mexico) Policy;
6) Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs);
7) Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs);
8) Production Facility Applicability Flowchart; and
9) Job Aid.
COMDTINST 16000.76, Marine Safety: OCS Inspections (previously Section G of the Marine Safety Manual, Volume II)
The following chapters of COMDTINST 16000.76, Marine Safety: Outer Continental Shelf Inspections are applicable to Fixed OCS Facilities (also referred to as Fixed Platforms):
- Chapter 1, Regulations, Policy and Guidance for a Unit Conducting an OCS Activity, and
- Chapter 5, Procedures Applicable to Fixed OCS Facilities or Platforms.
This Commandant Instruction replaced Marine Safety Manual (MSM), Volume II: Section G - OCS Activities (cancelled 20Sep2021 and listed here for historical reference only). Note that there was no content change with the republishing of MSM Vol II Section G as a separate Commandant Instruction on 20Sep2021, but future content revisions are planned.
Self-Inspection Report
The Fixed OCS Facility Inspection Report, CG-5432 (Rev 04/20), can be downloaded as a fillable pdf by clicking on the form number.
National Policy
National policy letters that apply to fixed platforms are listed in the table below, grouped by issuing authority and ordered from newest to oldest (by policy number/original issue date). Click on the policy number to open the document (opens in a new window).
Office |
Policy Number |
Date Issued |
Subject |
Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC; formerly CG-543, G-3PCV, G-PCV, and G-MOC) |
CG-CVC |
18-04 |
03Apr2018 |
Guidance on Implementation of New Standards for Fire Protection, Detection and Extinguishing Equipment |
CG-CVC |
Change Notice |
24Jun2014 |
Policy Cancellations – COMDTCHANGENOTE 16000, CH-1 to MSM Vol II |
CG-543 |
11-04 |
13Apr2011 |
Compliance Verification of Alternative Security Program for MTSA Regulated Vessels and Facilities |
G-MOC |
02-02 |
15Feb2002 |
Fixed Platform Inspection Program |
G-MOC |
02-01 |
08Feb2002 |
Regular Compliment Crew Determinations for Vessels Engaged in OCS Activities
(CANCELLED, see 25Jun14 Change Notice to MSM Vol II (linked in this table); policy is included here for historical reference purposes only) |
Office of Design and Engineering Standards (CG-ENG; formerly CG-521, G-3PSE, G-PSE, and G-MSE) |
CG-ENG |
02-21 |
01Aug2021 |
Adoption of ANSI/CAN/UL 12402-4 (Level 100 lifejackets deemed equivalent to 46 CFR 160.055 life preservers) |
CG-ENG |
01-16 |
29Apr2016 |
Portable Accommodations Module (PAM) Guidance |
Production Facility Applicability Flowchart
For a pdf version of the applicability flowchart displayed below, click here.

Inspection Job Aid
The following Job Aid pertains to Fixed Platforms on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. Job Aids replaced the replaced the legacy CG-840 Books and can be a valuable tool for owners and operators to maintain regulatory compliance on their facilities.
Notes:
Job Aids are developed for use by the CG Marine Inspector, following internal CG procedures, and are provided as a convenience (and transparency) to industry. The Pre-Inspection/Pre-Exam and Follow-Up sections mainly pertain to administrative tasks of the Marine Inspector. While "if applicable" is NOT annotated within the Job Aid, there are inspection/exam items listed that may not apply to a particular facility.
Additional Job Aids and Marine Inspector Performance Qualification Standards (PQS) are available on CVC's MI Resources page.