USCG: voluntary use of MARPOL electronic record books

The United States Coast Guard has published the Guidance for the Voluntary Use of MARPOL Electronic Record Books on U.S. Flag Vessels.

Purpose

This Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) offers instructions regarding the U.S. Coast Guard's procedures and standards for evaluating, accepting, and validating electronic record books used on board ships.

These guidelines pertain to the amendments made to MARPOL Annexes I, II, V, and VI, as well as the Technical Code governing the control of nitrogen oxide emissions from marine diesel engines (NOx Technical Code 2008).

The United States officially embraced these MARPOL Convention amendments as referenced in documents (b)-(d), which took effect on October 1, 2020.

This NVIC serves as a source of direction for vessels flying the U.S. flag that opt to fulfill MARPOL's record-keeping prerequisites through the utilization of electronic record books.

Additionally, it furnishes guidance for foreign-flagged vessels employing electronic record books while operating within U.S. waters.

Course of Action

Headquarters offices operating under the Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy and Officers in Charge of Marine Inspection are encouraged to disseminate this circular among the maritime industry and other relevant stakeholders within their jurisdiction.

This document was published on 4 August 2023.

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