Policy and Guidance applicable to Fixed OCS Facilities (Fixed Platforms)

The following content is available on this page (content is organized under the respective tabs):

  1) USCG Marine Safety Manual (MSM), Vol II;

  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); and

  7) Production Facility Applicability Flowchart.

Marine Safety Manual

The following chapters of the Marine Safety Manual (MSM), Volume II: Section G - OCS Activities 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.

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.

Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs)

CFRs that pertain to fixed platforms are as follows:

Primary subchapter -
  ○  33 CFR Subchapter N - Outer Continental Shelf Activities

Additional subchapters that apply (not all will apply to every facility) -
  ○  46 CFR Subchapter Q - Equipment, Construction and Materials: Specifications and Approval
  ○  33 CFR Subchapter C - Aids to Navigation (Parts 66 and 67)
  ○  33 CFR Subchapter H - Maritime Security (Parts 101, 103 and 106; only applies to facilities that fall into the categories listed at §106.105(a))
  ○  33 CFR Subchapter O - Pollution (Parts 151, 153 and 155)

Note that 33 CFR Subchapter A also has applicability in regards to administration and legal actions.

CFRs can be viewed at ecfr.gov (regularly updated online version) or govinfo.gov (annual editions).

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).

District Eight (Gulf of Mexico) Policy

D8 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).

Note that policy letter numbers for all policies listed from 1999 and earlier do NOT have a policy number referenced on the letter itself, but the policy number listed was assigned by D8 for tracking purposes.

Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs)

NVICs that apply to fixed platforms are listed in the table below, ordered from newest to oldest (by NVIC number). Click on the NVIC number to open the document (opens in a new window). ALL NVICs can be found on the Official NVIC Page.

Production Facility Applicability Flowchart

For a pdf version of the applicability flowchart displayed below, click here.