Policy and Guidance - Vessels involved in OCS Activities
This page has the following content applicable to support vessels (click on item to be taken directly to that section):
1) USCG Marine Safety Manual (MSM), Vol II;
2) Reference Books and Guides (compiled by subject);
3) Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs), including "Old" CFRs;
4) National Policy;
5) District Eight (Gulf of Mexico) Policy; and
6) Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs).
Part 1: MSM
Vessels that support or conduct OCS Activities fall under numerous vessel types and categories. The majority of the vessels that are involved in this work are Offshore Supply Vessels (OSVs), Industrial Vessels or Small Passenger Vessels. These vessels are mostly regulated under 46 CFR Subchapters L, I and T, respectively. 46 CFR Subchapters D, F, J, O and S and 33 CFR also have applicabilities to these vessel types. For vessels involved in OCS Activities, the following chapters in the Marine Safety Manual (MSM), Volume II: Section G - OCS Activities apply:
â—‹ Chapter 1, Regulations, Policy and Guidance for a Unit Conducting an OCS Activity, and
â—‹ Chapter 6, Procedures Applicable to Other Vessels Engaged in OCS Activities.
Part 2: Reference books and guides (compiled by subject)
Reference "Books" and Guides (by subject):
â—‹ Accommodations
â—‹ Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Guide
â—‹ Vessel General Permit
â—‹ Introduction to Dynamic Positioning (DP) Systems
Part 3: Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs)
CFRs that pertain to support vessels are as follows:
Primary subchapters for the vessel type -
â—‹ 46 CFR Subchapter I - Cargo and Miscellaneous Vessels (often referred to as Industrial Vessels)
â—‹ 46 CFR Subchapter L - Offshore Supply Vessels
â—‹ 46 CFR Subchapter T - Small Passenger Vessels (Under 100 Gross Tons)
Additional subchapters that apply (not all will apply to each of the vessels inspected under the subchapters listed above) -
â—‹ 46 CFR Subchapter A - Procedures Applicable to the Public
â—‹ 46 CFR Subchapter B - Merchant Marine Officers and Seamen
â—‹ 46 CFR Subchapter E - Load Lines
â—‹ 46 CFR Subchapter F - Marine Engineering
â—‹ 46 CFR Subchapter G - Documentation and Measurement of Vessels
â—‹ 46 CFR Subchapter J - Electrical Engineering
â—‹ 46 CFR Subchapter Q - Equipment, Construction and Materials: Specifications and Approval
â—‹ 46 CFR Subchapter S - Subdivision and Stability
Note that 46 CFR Subchapters D, I-A, N, O, V or W, or portions thereof, may also be utilized for vessels with specific arrangements/equipment or involved in specific operations.
â—‹ 33 CFR Subchapter D - International Navigation Rules
â—‹ 33 CFR Subchapter E - Inland Navigation Rules
â—‹ 33 CFR Subchapter F - Vessel Operating Regulations
â—‹ 33 CFR Subchapter H - Maritime Security (Parts 101, 103 and 104)
â—‹ 33 CFR Subchapter N - Outer Continental Shelf Activities
â—‹ 33 CFR Subchapter O - Pollution
â—‹ 33 CFR Subchapter P - Ports and Waterways Safety
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).
"Old" CFRs (click on the "year"):
â—‹ 46 CFR Subchapter I, 1995 edition ("Old I") and 1963 edition ("Old-Old I")
â—‹ 46 CFR Subchapter J, 1995 edition ("Old J") and 1981 edition ("Old-Old J")
â—‹ 46 CFR Subchapter T, 1995 edition ("Old T")
Part 4: National Policy
Policy Letters that apply to support vessels (OSVs (to include Liftboats) and small passenger vessels suppoting oil and gas operations) 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.
Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance |
CG-CVC |
18-04 |
03Apr2018 |
Guidance on Implementation of New Standards for Fire Protection, Detection and Extinguishing Equipment |
CG-CVC |
17-09 |
27Nov2017 |
Issuance and Acceptance of Electronic Certificates |
CG-CVC |
14-03 |
06Apr2015 |
Evaluating Sea Service aboard Liftboats |
CG-CVC |
Change Notice |
25Jun2014 |
Policy Cancellations - COMDTCHANGENOTE 16000, CH-1 to MSM Vol IISea Service aboard Liftboats |
CG-CVC |
13-02 |
05May2013 |
MARPOL Annex VI International Energy Efficiency (IEE) Certificate Implementation Guidance |
CG-CVC |
13-01 |
26Feb2013 |
Interim Guidance for Revised MARPOL Annex V Implementation |
CG-CVC |
12-08 |
15Oct2012 |
Guidance Implementing the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Ant-Fouling Systems on Ships (CANCELLED, see 25Jun14 Change Notice to MSM Vol II; policy is included here for historical reference purposes only) |
CG-CVC |
12-05 |
11Oct2012 |
Hours of Rest – Implementation of the 2010 Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 |
CG-CVC |
12-04 |
25Jul2012 |
Guidelines for Compliance and Enforcement of the Emission Control Areas Established within the United States Jurisdiction as Designated in MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14 |
CG-CVC |
12-03 |
01Jun2012 |
Endorsement of Offshore Supply Vessels (OSV) as Oil Spill Response Vessels (OSRV) |
CG-543 |
11-04 |
13Apr2011 |
Compliance Verification of Alternative Security Program for MTSA Regulated Vessels and Facilities |
CG-543 |
11-01 |
11Feb2011 |
Guidelines for Coast Guard Evaluations of Compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Vessel General Permit (VGP) for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of Vessels |
CG-543 |
10-05 |
26Nov2010 |
Electronic Navigation Publications onboard U.S. Vessels |
CG-543 |
10-01 |
04Mar2010 |
Use of Single Voyage Load Line Authorizations |
CG-543 |
09-02 |
12Aug2009 |
Industry Guidelines for Requesting Alternate Planning Criteria Approval, One Time Waivers and Interim Operating Authorization |
CG-543 |
09-01 |
04Feb2009 |
Guidelines for Ensuring Compliance with Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) 73/78; Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships |
CG-543 |
07-02 |
04Mar2008 |
Guidance on the Inspection, Repair and Maintenance of Liftboats |
CG-3PCV |
06-09 |
22Dec2006 |
Implementation of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) 73/78; Annex I Revised |
G-PCV |
06-05 |
28Jul2006 |
Regulatory Interpretation for Notice of Arrival (CANCELLED, see 25Jun14 Change Notice to MSM Vol II; policy is included here for historical reference purposes only) |
G-MOC |
05-02 |
03May2005 |
Guidelines for Interim Voluntary Implementation of Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) 73/78; Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships |
G-MOC |
04-13, Rev-1 |
24Mar2005 |
Guidelines for the Inspection of Oily Water Monitor and Separator Systems |
G-MOC |
04-06 |
10Aug2004 |
Guidance for Ballast Water Regulations |
G-MOC |
04-05 |
29Mar2004 |
Guidance when Considering Exemptions from the SOLAS Requirement to Carry Voyage Data Recorders (VDR) |
G-MOC |
04-02 |
17May2004 |
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Operator Requirements |
G-MOC |
03-03 |
08Sep2003 |
Guidelines for Equivalent Compliance with (Revised) MARPOL 73/78 Annex IV (Sewage) |
G-MOC |
01-01 |
13Apr2001 |
Cargo Ship Fixed Fire-Extinguishing System SOLAS Exemptions |
G-MOC |
4-00, Rev-1 |
26Apr2001 |
Watchkeeping and Work-Hour Limitations on Towing Vessels, Offshore Supply Vessels (OSV) & Crew Boats Utilizing a Two Watch System |
G-MOC |
00-02 |
22May2000 |
Five-Year Certificate of Inspection (COI) and SOLAS Survey Intervals |
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 |
01-14 |
04Mar2014 |
Lifeboat Release Mechanisms: Policy on Implementation of New SOLAS Regulation III/1.5 and IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1392 |
CG-ENG |
05-12 |
07Sep2012 |
Policy on the Implementation of Additional Personnel Safety Requirements for Carbon Dioxide Fire Suppression Systems |
CG-ENG |
03-12 |
15May2012 |
Policy on the Implementation of IMO Resolution A.673(16), Guidelines for the Transport and Handling of Limited Amounts of Hazardous and Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk on Offshore Support Vessels, for New ans Existing Offshore Supply Vessels |
National Maritime Center |
NMC |
05-01 |
06Mar2001 |
Lifeboatmen and Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC) Qualifications for Service on Vessels not Equipped with Lifeboats |
Part 5: District 8 (Gulf of Mexico) Policy
Cancellation Notice |
11Jul2014 |
Policy Cancellations - Memo detailing the cancellation of D8(m) Policy Letters |
Part 6: Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs)
NVICs that apply to OCS support vessels 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.