Visitors and members of the maritime industry attend an open house at Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment St. Thomas April 20, 2015 to learn about newly established requirements for Uninspected Passenger Vessel operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 allowed for Uninspected Passenger Vessels in compliance with the new measures to transport seven to 12 passengers in the U.S. Virgin Islands. (U.S. Coast Guard photo).
ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands — Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment St. Thomas hosted an open house Monday for members of the maritime industry to explain newly established requirements for Uninspected Passenger Vessel operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands resulting from the recently enacted Howard Coble Coast Guard Maritime Transportation Act of 2014.
"This event was valuable in engaging and providing information to members of the maritime industry seeking to be in compliance with the new measures and safety requirements for Uninspected Passenger Vessels to transport seven to 12 passengers in the U.S. Virgin Islands," said Lt. Cmdr. Nikki Samuel, Marine Safety Detachment St. Thomas supervisor.
Coast Guard marine inspectors worked alongside inspectors from the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry to answer questions from approximately 100 visitors and members of the maritime industry in attendance.
The open house included the participation of the Uninspected Passenger Vessel Magic Moments, courtesy of Nauti Nymph Charters, that was used to display safety gear and served as a demonstration vessel in full compliance with the new requirements. The crew of the Magic Moments also assisted in providing information and answering questions from industry representatives on the process for obtaining certification under the new law.
The Coast Guard published the Sector San Juan Marine Safety and Security Information Bulletin 03-15 on March 2 notifying the maritime community of the new compliance process for Uninspected Passenger Vessels to transport up to 12 passengers in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Sector San Juan Marine Safety and Security Information Bulletin 03-15
Section 319 of the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 amended the law concerning Uninspected Passenger Vessel operations for vessels in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Under this amendment, vessels less than 79 feet in overall length may now have the option of carrying a maximum of 12 passengers, if the vessel complies with the requirements established by the United Kingdom (U.K.) Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Commercial Motor or Sailing Vessels which is commonly known as the Yellow Code (for motor vessels) or the Blue Code (for sailing vessels).
While the Coast Guard is actively evaluating the Act to determine how best to fully implement it, the Section 319 amendments to Uninspected Passenger Vessel laws are substantially self-implementing. Therefore, some U.S. Uninspected Passenger Vessels whose voyages originate from the U.S. Virgin Islands, upon meeting certain conditions, may now carry from seven to 12 passengers within the U.S. Virgin Islands and on international voyages, but not to another U.S. port outside the U.S. Virgin Islands.
As an owner or operator of a U.S. Uninspected Passenger Vessel operating from a port in the U.S. Virgin Islands, if you wish to carry between seven and 12 passengers, the following steps will be required pending the Coast Guard’s further evaluation:
1) Vessel must be in compliance with one of the Codes listed above;
2) To verify that compliance, the vessel must be examined by a Certifying Authority listed within one of the Codes (Blue or Yellow as appropriate); and
3) The operator must maintain a Small Commercial Vessel Certificate issued by a certifying authority under the Code and keep it on board.
Equipment requirements and frequency of examinations associated with these Codes differ from existing U.S. requirements for an Uninspected Passenger Vessel. The Coast Guard recommends that any owner or operator seeking to utilize either of these Codes become familiar with the requirements and frequency of inspections for the Code applicable to their vessel(s).
Vessel operators engaged on international voyages are reminded that they are required to hold a Merchant Mariner Credential with an officer endorsement as Master as required by Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations 15.805(a)(7). An endorsement as an Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) is not suitable for international voyages.
Mariners with an endorsement as an OUPV may carry between seven and 12 passengers when operating an eligible Uninspected Passenger Vessel entirely within the waters of the U.S. Virgin Islands, if the vessel is not on an international voyage.
It is the responsibility of the vessel owner or operator to ensure their vessel is maintained and operated in compliance with all applicable U.S. laws. When carrying between seven and 12 passengers as an Uninspected Passenger Vessel in the U.S. Virgin Islands, vessel owners and operators must also ensure their vessel is in compliance with the appropriate Code (Blue or Yellow) and carry documentation attesting to an examination of compliance.
Vessel operators carrying more than six passengers may also choose to do so by meeting the requirements as an inspected Small Passenger Vessel in accordance with 46 CFR Subchapter T.
The law and Coast Guard regulations have not otherwise changed. Therefore, Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations, Subchapter C remains applicable to those vessels carrying six or fewer passengers that forego seeking certification under the Codes.
All owners or operators of U.S. Flagged Uninspected Passenger Vessels pursuing certification under this law are requested to notify the Coast Guard of their vessel name, hailing port, length, tonnage, approved passenger capacity, owner name and contact information once a certificate is issued by a Certifying Authority listed within one of the Codes. Providing this information of certified status under one of the Codes may serve to reduce the possibility of operations being interrupted by Coast Guard officers seeking verification of legal carriage requirements.
For vessels operating in St. Thomas please send an email notification to Marine Safety Detachment in St. Thomas at d07-dgsecsj-msd-st-thomas@uscg.mil.
For vessels operating in St. Croix please send an email notification to Resident Inspection Office in St. Croix at d-07-dg-secsj-rio_st_croix@uscg.mil.
Anyone wishing to report illegal passenger vessel operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands may contact the Marine Safety Detachment in St. Thomas at 340-776-3497 or Resident Inspection Office in St. Croix at 340-772-5557.