Coast Guard issues notice of SOLAS enforcement
The U.S. Coast Guard has advised U.S.-flag vessels in foreign ports, ships that should be meeting International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS) requirements, 'that we intend to more strictly and consistently enforce our regulations requiring SOLAS compliance.'
The Coast Guard said its intent is 'to warn such vessels to take steps to come into compliance and avoid the consequences of noncompliance.'. This new policy is effective immediately.
'We consider U.S. vessels in foreign waters ' to be on an international voyage. Thus, owners and operators of these vessels that meet the applicability standards of SOLAS and operate in foreign countries should not inadvertently believe they are exempt, either from the safety or security requirements of SOLAS,' the Coast Guard said.
Vessels that have received a SOLAS exemption certificate granting permission from the Coast Guard to make a single voyage from the United States to a foreign country, and then operate solely within the waters of that foreign country, are not being required by the Coast Guard to be SOLAS safety compliance at this time. 'We can make no assurance that other parties to the SOLAS Convention will accept this continuing interpretation, ' the Coast Guard said, 'and may take port state action as they deem appropriate.'
The Coast Guard added it was 'considering a regulation change for the future which may apply SOLAS safety requirements to these vessels, but will not do so without notice and an opportunity for comment.'
Public comments on the new policy should be submitted by Sept. 20. For more information, contact Lieutenant Commander Martin Walker, project manager, Office of Compliance, at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, (202) 267-1047.