This item is published on the Coast Guard’s Maritime’s Commons webpage. A copy of the referenced work instruction is attached. It can also be viewed by using the hyperlinks in the message taken from the Coast Guard’s website. The work instruction provides guidance for Captains of the Port (COTP), Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI), Marine Inspectors (MI) and Port State Control Officers (PSCO) placing a vessel into a laid up or inactive status, and returning those vessels back to service. This work instruction is applicable to U.S. flag inspected vessels and foreign flag vessels subject to Coast Guard Port State Control, to include Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU). The discussion for an inspection by a Marine Chemist is found in Section E.7 (Laid Up Vessels, Hazardous Cargoes) of the work instruction. I recommend that Marine Chemists familiarize themselves with this work instruction for laid up vessels. The Coast Guard also provides a link for questions to be submitted to them concerning this work instruction.
The Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance published Work Instruction CVC-WI-018(1), “Laid up Inspected/Examined Vessels.” This work instruction outlines the process of laying up inspected and examined commercial vessels and provides greater consistency and continuity between Captain of the Port Zones. Additionally, completing the lay-up process will alleviate operators of paying user fees for laid-up vessels. The work instruction can be viewed on the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance Publications, References & Work Instructions webpage. Questions related to this work instruction should be directed to the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance, Flag State Control Division (CG-CVC-4) at FlagStateControl@uscg.mil.
Coincidentally, the 2021 edition of NFPA 312, Standard for Fire Protection of Vessels During Construction, Conversion, Repair, and Lay-Up, is now available. The revised NFPA 312 includes a variety of editorial changes as well as significant amendments to requirements for the lay-up of vessels in Chapter 5 of the standard. New requirements and guidance information focus on:
- Cleaning before lay-up
- Preparation of stern gland, oil-water separator, fuel, and lubricating oil systems
- Readiness condition of fire protection systems
- The availability of emergency towing, pumping, and firefighting assistance for a vessel while it is in lay-up status
- Updated requirements and recommendations for watch service during the vessel lay-up period
NFPA 312 can be purchased on the NFPA Catalog page, https://catalog.nfpa.org/NFPA-312-Standard-for-Fire-Protection-of-Vessels-During-Construction-Conversion-Repair-and-Lay-Up-P1284.aspx, or it can be viewed using the “free access” real-read app on the Document Information Page for NFPA 312, https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=312.
Thank you.
