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 compiled by subject;
  3) "Old" CFRs;
  4) National Policy;
  5) District Eight (Gulf of Mexico) Policy; and
  6) Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs).

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:
  ○  Chapter 1, Regulations, Policy and Guidance for a Unit Conducting an OCS Activity, and
  ○  Chapter 6, Procedures Applicable to Other Vessels Engaged in OCS Activities.

Part 2: Reference books compiled by subject

Reference "Books" (by subject):
  ○  Accommodations
  ○  Vessel General Permit

Part 3: Old Codes of Federal Regulations (CFRs)

"Old" CFRs (click on the "year"):
  ○  46 CFR Subchapter I, 1995 edition ("Old I") and 1963 edition ("Old-Old I")
  ○  46 CFR Subchapter J, 1995 edition ("Old J") and 1981 edition ("Old-Old J")
  ○  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.

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.