81 FR 7552 - Policy Letter: Guidance for Training of Deck Officers on Vessels Subject to the International Code for Ships Operating in the Polar Waters

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 29 (February 12, 2016)

Page Range		7552-7553
FR Document		2016-02890

The Coast Guard announces the availability, in the docket, of a policy letter which provides voluntary guidance for the training of deck officers on vessels operating in polar waters. It recommends training measures that will achieve a higher level of safety for mariners working in this specialized polar environment. It is applicable to SOLAS vessels operating outside the boundary line and subject to the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code). The draft policy letter and voluntary guidance would not apply to vessels on voyages that do not operate in areas subject to the Polar Code.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 29 (Friday, February 12, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 29 (Friday, February 12, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7552-7553]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02890]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2016-0017]


Policy Letter: Guidance for Training of Deck Officers on Vessels 
Subject to the International Code for Ships Operating in the Polar 
Waters

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the availability, in the docket, of 
a policy letter which provides voluntary guidance for the training of 
deck officers on vessels operating in polar waters. It recommends 
training measures that will achieve a higher level of safety for 
mariners working in this specialized polar environment. It is 
applicable to SOLAS vessels operating outside the boundary line and 
subject to the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters 
(Polar Code). The draft policy letter and voluntary guidance would not 
apply to vessels on voyages that do not operate in areas subject to the 
Polar Code.

DATES: This policy letter is effective on February 12, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
document, contact Cathleen Mauro, Marine Personnel Qualifications 
Division (CG-OES-1), U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-1449, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Viewing Materials in the Docket

    The policy letter is available in the docket and can be viewed by 
going to www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2016-0017 in the 
``Keyword'' box, and then clicking ``Search.''

Background and Purpose

    Current shipping trends show an increase in the number of vessels 
regularly transiting remote polar areas. Vessels in polar waters 
experience unpredictable and poor weather conditions, degraded 
navigation tools, threats to operating equipment and increased 
stability concerns. In response to the challenges faced by these 
vessels and the concern for their safe operation, the International 
Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a mandatory code, the 
International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters, commonly 
referred to as the Polar Code. The Polar Code addresses safety and 
environmental requirements for vessels, as well as the level of 
training required for deck officers, and is expected to come into force 
on January 1, 2017.
    In order to obtain input from U.S. stakeholders and to facilitate 
the development of the U.S. position at the IMO on the training 
requirements needed to support the Polar Code, the Merchant Marine 
Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) chartered a working group in 2013 
to address mariner training in support of the polar code. The working 
group developed a proposal that included the training competencies for 
U.S. mariners serving on ships operating in polar waters. The working 
group held multiple meetings and provided recommendations on minimum 
standards of competence, sea service, and recency requirements for 
polar training at the basic and advanced levels. The group also 
developed recommendations on how existing mariners with experience 
operating in polar waters would be grandfathered under the new 
requirements. MERPAC adopted the working group's recommendations, which 
provided the basis of the U.S. position regarding the relevant 
amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, 
Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention), 1978, 
as amended, and the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping 
Code (STCW Code). The STCW Convention and Code provide the 
international standards for seafarers.
    Through the work of the IMO's Sub-committee on Human Element, 
Training and Watchkeeping (HTW), amendments to the STCW Convention and 
Code were developed to define the training requirements needed to 
support the implementation of the Polar Code. These amendments were 
approved by the Maritime Safety Committee on its Ninety Fifth Session 
(MSC 95), and are expected to be adopted by the IMO in July of 2016. 
The amendments are expected to enter into force on January 1, 2018.
    Cognizant that there is a gap between the time the Polar Code 
enters into force on January 1, 2017 and the adoption of the amendments 
to the STCW Convention by IMO in July of 2016, the Coast Guard has 
developed a policy letter that recommends training guidelines for deck 
officers on vessels operating in polar waters. The Coast Guard is 
providing this guidance to

[[Page 7553]]

ensure there are sufficiently trained mariners by the time the Polar 
Code enters into force.

Discussion

    Recognizing that the operation of ships sailing in polar waters 
calls for specific education, training, experience and related 
qualifications for officers, Resolution 11 of the 2010 amendments to 
the STCW Convention included non-mandatory guidance on training for 
deck and engineer officers serving on ships operating in polar waters. 
The guidance is contained in Section B-V/g of the STCW Code. The 
training requirements of the Polar Code, however, go beyond what is 
addressed in Section B-V/g of the STCW Code, by utilizing a risk-
assessment to addresses the applicability of different levels of 
training required for deck officers engaged on ships operating in polar 
waters. Chapter 12 of The Polar Code identifies the level of training 
required for deck officers on ships subject to the Polar Code taking 
into account the type of vessel and the ice conditions in the operating 
area. The levels of training are either Basic or Advanced Training for 
Ships Operating in Polar Waters. The interim guidance in this policy is 
based upon the amendments to the STCW Convention and Code supporting 
the mandatory training requirements in Chapter 12 of the Polar Code.
    The requirements to meet the standards of competence for Basic or 
Advanced Training for Ships Operating in Polar Waters are defined in 
the STCW amendments supporting the Polar Code. A mariner may satisfy 
the standard of competence for Basic or Advanced Training in Polar Code 
Operations by meeting the respective sea service and training 
requirements prescribed in Enclosure (1) of the Policy Letter.
    By meeting the basic or advanced training standard required by the 
Polar Code, mariners are also meeting the familiarization requirements 
of 46 CFR 15.405, which states that each credentialed mariner must be 
familiar with the relevant characteristics of the vessel appropriate to 
his or her duties and responsibilities prior to assuming those duties 
and responsibilities. On board a seagoing vessel, this responsibility 
rests with both the mariner and the employer as set forth in 46 CFR 
15.1105, which requires mariners subject to STCW to complete 
familiarization training before performing any duty or being assigned 
any responsibility unless they are familiar with those duties and 
responsibilities and with all of the vessel's arrangements, 
installations, equipment, procedures, and characteristics relevant to 
his or her routine and emergency duties or responsibilities.
    If training regulations are published, training completed to meet 
the requirements described in the policy letter may be evaluated on a 
case by case basis, and considered to meet part of the transitional 
provisions of the training requirements for Basic or Advanced Polar 
Waters Operations.

Voluntary Policy

    The guidance provided in this policy letter is voluntary, except 
where existing regulatory requirements are discussed. Although it may 
assist the industry, public, Coast Guard, and other Federal and State 
regulators in applying existing statutory and regulatory requirements, 
the policy letter and guidance it contains are not a substitute for 
applicable legal requirements nor are they regulations themselves. We 
note the ongoing work of the IMO in this area, in particular regarding 
training of personnel engaged in polar waters. Developments within this 
body will be taken into account during possible future revisions of the 
draft policy letter. During the course of local operations, each Coast 
Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) has discretionary authority on how 
best to address specific safety and security concerns within his or her 
area of responsibility consistent with 33 CFR 1.01-30. Nothing in the 
policy letter or the guidance it contains is meant to override or limit 
the discretion of the COTP when addressing the unique safety concerns 
of vessels operating in polar waters.
    This notice is issued under authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a).

    Dated: February 8, 2016.
J.G. Lantz,
Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards, U.S. Coast Guard.
[FR Doc. 2016-02890 Filed 2-11-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 29 / Friday, February 12, 2016 / Notices 7553

ensure there are sufficiently trained characteristics relevant to his or her SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given,
mariners by the time the Polar Code routine and emergency duties or pursuant to CBP regulations, that
enters into force. responsibilities. AmSpec Services, LLC, has been
If training regulations are published, approved to gauge petroleum and
Discussion
training completed to meet the certain petroleum products and
Recognizing that the operation of requirements described in the policy accredited to test petroleum and certain
ships sailing in polar waters calls for letter may be evaluated on a case by petroleum products for customs
specific education, training, experience case basis, and considered to meet part purposes for the next three years as of
and related qualifications for officers, of the transitional provisions of the August 12, 2015.
Resolution 11 of the 2010 amendments training requirements for Basic or DATES: Effective Dates: The
to the STCW Convention included non- accreditation and approval of AmSpec
Advanced Polar Waters Operations.
mandatory guidance on training for Services, LLC, as commercial gauger
deck and engineer officers serving on Voluntary Policy and laboratory became effective on
ships operating in polar waters. The August 12, 2015. The next triennial
guidance is contained in Section The guidance provided in this policy
letter is voluntary, except where inspection date will be scheduled for
B–V/g of the STCW Code. The training August 2018.
requirements of the Polar Code, existing regulatory requirements are
discussed. Although it may assist the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
however, go beyond what is addressed
in Section B–V/g of the STCW Code, by industry, public, Coast Guard, and other Approved Gauger and Accredited
utilizing a risk-assessment to addresses Federal and State regulators in applying Laboratories Manager, Laboratories and
the applicability of different levels of existing statutory and regulatory Scientific Services Directorate, U.S.
training required for deck officers requirements, the policy letter and Customs and Border Protection, 1300
engaged on ships operating in polar guidance it contains are not a substitute Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Suite
waters. Chapter 12 of The Polar Code for applicable legal requirements nor are 1500N, Washington, DC 20229, tel. 202–
identifies the level of training required they regulations themselves. We note 344–1060.
for deck officers on ships subject to the the ongoing work of the IMO in this SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is
Polar Code taking into account the type area, in particular regarding training of hereby given pursuant to 19 CFR 151.12
of vessel and the ice conditions in the personnel engaged in polar waters. and 19 CFR 151.13, that AmSpec
operating area. The levels of training are Developments within this body will be Services, LLC, 100–B Redoubt Rd.,
either Basic or Advanced Training for taken into account during possible Yorktown, VA 23692, has been
Ships Operating in Polar Waters. The future revisions of the draft policy letter. approved to gauge petroleum and
interim guidance in this policy is based During the course of local operations, certain petroleum products and
upon the amendments to the STCW each Coast Guard Captain of the Port accredited to test petroleum and certain
Convention and Code supporting the (COTP) has discretionary authority on petroleum products for customs
mandatory training requirements in how best to address specific safety and purposes, in accordance with the
Chapter 12 of the Polar Code. security concerns within his or her area provisions of 19 CFR 151.12 and 19 CFR
The requirements to meet the of responsibility consistent with 33 CFR 151.13. AmSpec Services, LLC is
standards of competence for Basic or 1.01–30. Nothing in the policy letter or approved for the following gauging
Advanced Training for Ships Operating the guidance it contains is meant to procedures for petroleum and certain
in Polar Waters are defined in the STCW override or limit the discretion of the petroleum products from the American
amendments supporting the Polar Code. COTP when addressing the unique Petroleum Institute (API):
A mariner may satisfy the standard of safety concerns of vessels operating in
competence for Basic or Advanced polar waters. API Title
Training in Polar Code Operations by Chapters
This notice is issued under authority
meeting the respective sea service and of 5 U.S.C. 552(a). 3 .............. Tank Gauging.
training requirements prescribed in 7 .............. Temperature Determination.
Dated: February 8, 2016.
Enclosure (1) of the Policy Letter. 8 .............. Sampling.
By meeting the basic or advanced J.G. Lantz,
9 .............. Density Determinations.
training standard required by the Polar Director of Commercial Regulations and
12 ............ Calculations.
Code, mariners are also meeting the Standards, U.S. Coast Guard.
17 ............ Maritime Measurement.
familiarization requirements of 46 CFR [FR Doc. 2016–02890 Filed 2–11–16; 8:45 am]
15.405, which states that each BILLING CODE 9110–04–P AmSpec Services, LLC is accredited
credentialed mariner must be familiar for the following laboratory analysis
with the relevant characteristics of the procedures and methods for petroleum
vessel appropriate to his or her duties DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND and certain petroleum products set forth
and responsibilities prior to assuming SECURITY by the U.S. Customs and Border
those duties and responsibilities. On Protection Laboratory Methods (CBPL)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
board a seagoing vessel, this and American Society for Testing and
responsibility rests with both the Accreditation and Approval of AmSpec Materials (ASTM): Anyone wishing to
mariner and the employer as set forth in Services, Llc, as a Commercial Gauger employ this entity to conduct laboratory
asabaliauskas on DSK9F6TC42PROD with NOTICES2

46 CFR 15.1105, which requires and Laboratory analyses and gauger services should
mariners subject to STCW to complete request and receive written assurances
familiarization training before AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border from the entity that it is accredited or
performing any duty or being assigned Protection, Department of Homeland approved by the U.S. Customs and
any responsibility unless they are Security. Border Protection to conduct the
familiar with those duties and specific test or gauger service requested.
ACTION:Notice of accreditation and
responsibilities and with all of the Alternatively, inquiries regarding the
approval of AmSpec Services, LLC, as a
vessel’s arrangements, installations, specific test or gauger service this entity
commercial gauger and laboratory.
equipment, procedures, and is accredited or approved to perform

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:38 Feb 11, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\12FEN1.SGM 12FEN1

Document Created: 2016-02-12 01:24:35
Document Modified: 2016-02-12 01:24:35

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of availability.
Dates		This policy letter is effective on February 12, 2016.
Contact		If you have questions about this document, contact Cathleen Mauro, Marine Personnel Qualifications Division (CG-OES-1), U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-1449, or [email protected]
FR Citation		81 FR 7552

81 FR 7552 - Policy Letter: Guidance for Training of Deck Officers on Vessels Subject to the International Code for Ships Operating in the Polar Waters

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITYCoast Guard

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 29 (February 12, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard