Outer Continental Shelf National Center of Expertise (OCSNCOE)

Policy and Guidance - Floating OCS Facility (FOF)

This page has the following content applicable to FOFs (click on item to be taken directly to that section):
  1) USCG Marine Safety Manual (MSM), Vol II;
  2) National Policy;
  3) District Eight (Gulf of Mexico) Policy;
  4) Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs); and
  5) Production Facility Applicability Flowchart.

Part 1: MSM

The following chapters of the Marine Safety Manual, Volume II: Section G - OCS Activities are applicable to FOFs:
  ○  Chapter 1, Regulations, Policy and Guidance for a Unit Conducting an OCS Activity, and
  ○  Chapter 4, Procedures Applicable to Floating OCS Facilities.

Part 2: National Policy

Policy Letters that apply to Floating OCS Facilities are listed in the tables below, grouped by issuing authority and ordered from newest to oldest (by policy number). Click on the policy number to open the document.

National Policy
Office Policy Number Date Issued Subject

Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance
CG-CVC
 18-04 03Apr2018 Guidance on Implementation of New Standards for Fire Protection, Detection and Extinguishing Equipment
CG-543
 11-04 13Apr2011 Compliance Verification of Alternative Security Program for MTSA Regulated Vessels and Facilities
G-MOC 02-01 08Feb2002 Regular Compliment Crew Determinations for Vessels Engaged in OCS Activities (CANCELLED, see MSM Vol II; included here for historical reference purposes only)

Office of Design and Engineering Standards
CG-ENG 01-18 01May2018 Equivalency Determination – FRP Gratings Conforming to ASTM F3059
CG-ENG 01-16 29Apr2016 Portable Accommodation Module (PAM) Guidance
CG-ENG 03-15 03Sep2015 Acceptance of CAP-437, Standards for Offshore Helicopter Landing Areas
CG-ENG 02-14 30Apr2014 Approval of Equivalencies to the Requirements for Odorizing Units on Fixed Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishing Systems
CG-ENG 01-13 26Jun2013 Alternate Design and Equipment Standards for Floating Offshore Installations (FOI) and Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Units on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf

 

Part 3: District Eight (Gulf of Mexico) Policy

District Eight (D8) Policy
Policy Number Date Issued Subject
01-2018 05Jun2018 Guidance on SPAR Liferaft Installations
04-2016 31Oct2016 Lifesaving Inspection and Emergency Evacuation Drills on Manned Facilities (Including Mobile Offshore Drilling Units) on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)
03-2016 02Jun2016 Interim Coast Guard Eighth District Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Risk-Based Inspection Resource Allocation Methodology
02-2016 19Jan2016 Structural Integrity Management (SIM) Program as an Alternative Hull Inspection for Floating Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Facilities
01-2016 19Jan2016 Interim Guidance on Life Extension (Continued Service) Requirements for Floating OCS Facilities
01-2015 14Sep2015 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Emergency Evacuation Plan (EEP) Approvals
01-2014 10Oct2014 Guidance on Post-Hurricane Inspection Requirements for Floating Offshore Production Facilities
06-2004 22Dec2004 Guardrail and Storm Rail Requirements for Floating Offshore Installations (FOIs) (CANCELLED 11Jul2014 by D8 OCS Memo, incorporated into MSM Vol II, Sec G; included here for historical reference purposes only)
05-2004
 17Sep2004 Use of Hose Reels with Non-Collapsible Hard-Rubber Fire Hosed on Floating Offshore Installations (CANCELLED 11Jul2014 by D8 OCS Memo, incorporated into MSM Vol II, Sec G; included here for historical reference purposes only)
03-2004 03May2004 In-Service Inspection Program (ISIP) for Floating Facilities in the OCS
04-2003
 30Sep2003 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Emergency Evacuation Plan (EEP) Approvals (CANCELLED 11Jul2014 by D8 OCS Memo, incorporated into MSM Vol II, Sec G; included here for historical reference purposes only)
08-2001 27Jul2001 Licensing Requirements for Personnel on Non-Self Propelled Floating OCS Facilities
03-2000, CH-1 20Oct2000 Policy on Manning of Non-Self Propelled Floating Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Facilities
99-19 16Sep1999 MODU Lifeboat Release Gear Overload Tests (alternate testing apparatus)
99-06 03Mar1999 Issuing COI Amendments (CG-858)
98-26 23Oct1998 OCS Facility Casualty Notification
98-14 27Jul1998 In Service Inspection Plans for Floating OCS Facilities

 

Part 4: Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs)

NVICs that apply to Floating OCS Facilities are listed in the table below, ordered from newest to oldest (by NVIC number). Click on the NVIC number to open the document. ALL NVICs can be found on the Official NVIC Page.

Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs)
NVIC
Number		 Date Issued Subject
2000s
05-03
 15Dec2003 Implementation Guidance for the Maritime Security Regulations Mandated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 for Outer Continental Shelf Facilities
6-01 25May2001 Protective Equipment Required for Firefighter’s Outfits
09-00, CH-1
 10Feb2005 CH-1 to NVIC 09-00; Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishing System Safety
1990s
9-97, CH-1 02Jul2010 CH-1 to NVIC 9-97, Guide to Structural Fire Protection
3-97 - Stability Related Review Performed by the American Bureau of Shipping for U.S. Flag Vessels
1-94 21Jan1994 Marking of Life Preservers and PFDs
13-92 15Dec1992 Captain of the Port Zone Boundaries
11-92 23Oct1992 Guidance for Acceptance of the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI) National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) for Repairs and Alterations to Boilers and Pressure Vessels
10-92, CH-2 04May2006 CH-2 to NVIC 10-92, Coast Guard Recognition of Registered Professional Engineer Certification of Compliance with Coast Guard Requirements
3-92 24Feb1992 Recommended Program for Protection of Merchant Mariners from Occupational Health Problems
1980s
3-89 07Sep1989 Guidelines for the Presentation of Stability Information for Operating Personnel
6-87 21Sep1987 Recommended Procedures for Control of Asbestos and Other Respiratory Hazards on board Merchant Vessels, Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Facilities and Deepwater Ports
11-86 05Sep1986 Guidelines Governing the Use of Fiberglass Pipe (FGP) on Coast Guard Inspected Vessels
4-86 28Mar1986 Hydraulic Release Units for Liferafts, Life Floats and Buoyant Apparatus and Alternate Float-Free Arrangements
4-85 29May1985 Recalls and Other Corrective Measures for Lifesaving Equipment
11-84 20Dec1984 Guidelines for New Construction or Major Modification of U.S. Flag Vessels in Foreign Shipyards
8-84 23Aug1984 Recommendations for the Submittal of Merchant Vessel Plans and Specifications
7-84 07Aug1984 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Citizenship Requirements; Exemptions from
1-84 03Apr1984 Lack of Topstitching on Some Type I Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
10-83 29Sep1983 Stability Approval and the Issuance of Stability Letters
1-83 10Feb1983 Painters for Life Floats and Buoyant Apparatus
10-82, CH-2 18Sep1989 CH-2 to NVIC 10-82, Acceptance of Plan Review and Inspection Tasks Performed by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for New Construction or Major Modification of U.S. Flag Vessels
7-82 13Apr1982 Sample Format of Vessel or Facility Station Bill
9-81 10Aug1981 Coast Guard Guidance Regarding Shipboard Helicopter Facilities
6-81 18Jun1981 Lifeboat Weight Tests
7-80 02Apr1980 Use of Fire Detection Systems which are Not approved under 46 CFR 161.002
2-80 07Feb1980 Poured-Metal Socket Connections for Lifeboat Falls
1-80 14Jan1980 Inspection of Viking On-Load Release Gear on Watercraft America
1970s
5-77 20Dec1977 Inspection of Hydraulic Starting Systems for Lifeboats and Survival Capsules
1960s
1-69 08Jan1969 Automated Main and Auxiliary Machinery
3-68 21Mar1968 Tensile Fasteners
3-67 17May1967 Alteration of Ship’s Structure which May Affect the Adequacy of Installed Safety Devices
2-63 24Jan1963 Guide for Inspection and Repair of Lifesaving Equipment

 

Part 5: Production Facility Applicability Flowchart

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