USCG issues notice for cruise ships operating with additional watercraft for tendering or excursions

United States Coast Guard has issued a field notice that refers to cruise ships operating with additional watercraft for tendering or excursions.

This notice has been issued on February 16th, 2023.

This document provides guidance to OCMIs (Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection) assessing compliance for additional vessels carried by foreign passenger ships for the purpose of tendering in remote locations or for passenger excursions.

If the ship intends to use an additional vessel for tendering in US waters, the applicable standard for such additional vessels is the IMO Lifesaving Appliances Code (LSA Code) and should be documented according to rules determined by the ship's flag or classification society.

If the ship intends to use an additional vessel for passenger excursions in US waters, the vessel used must be qualified for coastal navigation and treated like other US flag passenger vessels that comply with 46 CFR subchapter C or 46 CFR subchapter T, depending on the number of passengers carried by that vessel.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS:

Cruise Ships Operating with Additional Watercraft for Tendering or Excursions