NVIC 01-91: Recommended qualifications for small passenger vessel deckhands

U.S. Department of Transportation Commandant United States Coast Guard 2100 Second Street SW Washington, DC 20593-0001 Staff Symbol: (G-MOC) Phone: 202-267-2978 United States Coast Guard COMDTPUB P16700.4 FEB 14 2003 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 1-91, CH-1 Subj: CHANGE TO NVIC 1-91, POLICY GUIDANCE AND RECOMMENDED QUALIFICATIONS FOR SMALL PASSENGER VESSEL DECKHANDS Ref: (a) 46 CFR Part 15 (b) Marine Safety Manual, Volume III, Chapter 23 (c) Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 05-01, Change 1

Recommended Qualifications for Small Passenger Vessel Deckhands — PURPOSE. This change revises Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 1-91 by

adding guidelines for the recommended qualifications and training topics for deckhands engaged or employed on high-speed small passenger vessels. The guidelines introduce the concept of the QUALIFIED DECKHAND – HIGH SPEED, which compliments the SENIOR DECKHAND concept introduced in the original circular.

Recommended Qualifications for Small Passenger Vessel Deckhands — ACTION.

a. The guidelines contained in this change apply to Small Passenger Vessels and are intended for use by Small Passenger Vessel owner/operators and masters of vessels less than 100 gross tons. Guidance and recommended qualifications for deckhands on domestic High-Speed Small Passenger Vessels, not subject to the International Maritime Organization High-Speed Craft Code (HSC Code), is attached as enclosure (2). b. OCMI's should use this circular as guidance during inspections for certification and reinspections, when evaluating training programs, and during drills conducted to ensure crew competency. Distribution SDL No. 140 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B x i i i i C i i i i D i i E i i F G H *NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: B = G-MOC, G-MO-1, G-MSE, MSC (1) NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 1-91, CH-1 c. Small passenger vessels vary greatly with regard to size, arrangement, and operating areas. An ideal training program would be specific to the vessel, and take into account the unique features of the operation. As a minimum the training program should cover: (1) Operating conditions of the vessel on which the deckhand is employed; (2) Overall vessel complexity; (3) Number of passengers carried; and (4) The specific duties the deckhand is expected to perform.

Recommended Qualifications for Small Passenger Vessel Deckhands — IMPLEMENTATION. Add enclosure (2), Amplified Guidance And Recommended

Qualifications For Deckhands On High-Speed Small Passenger Vessels Not Subject To The HSC Code, to NVIC 1-91.

Recommended Qualifications for Small Passenger Vessel Deckhands — BACKGROUND.

a. Domestic regulations do not specifically address increased manning required for high speed vessels, but under 46 CFR 15.501, the OCMI is given broad authority to determine the minimum manning requirements on any inspected vessel. The HSC Code sets manning levels to cope with the increased difficulty of operating high speed vessels, but the HSC Code does not apply to vessels operated solely in the U.S. Additionally, the Coast Guard Marine Safety Manual, Volume III, Chapter 21, Section (S), offers manning and training standards for hydrofoils and air cushion vehicles. Where comparable risks are involved, the OCMI may determine it appropriate to apply the same standards to high-speed passenger vessels as are required for hydrofoils and air cushion vehicles. b. The Coast Guard and the industry recognize that a Small Passenger Vessel's licensed officer(s) would be unable to navigate the vessel and effectively respond to emergencies such as fire, engineering casualties, collision, flooding, medical emergencies, man overboard, etc. without the assistance of trained and qualified deckhands. c. The Coast Guard, in consultation with the industry, has determined that the best approach to improving deckhand training and qualifications is to allow the industry to undertake a voluntary training program which will provide an increased level of knowledge and skill for their crew members. The Coast Guard believes that because of the generally high level of responsibility and concern displayed by the industry that this approach will be both successful and cost effective.

Recommended Qualifications for Small Passenger Vessel Deckhands — DISCUSSION.

a. The employment and training of qualified deckhands is the responsibility of the marine employer (46 CFR 15.103). The Coast Guard is issuing, by means of this NVIC, recommended criteria for assessing the qualifications of an individual deckhand. b. The Marine employer is responsible for ensuring that an individual engaged as a deckhand on a small passenger vessel: (1) Meets the company's minimum physical requirements; NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 1-91, CH-1 (2) Is familiar with the location of emergency/navigation equipment and procedures; and (3) Has demonstrated the ability to respond to emergency situations. c. This NVIC is not intended to be all encompassing nor indicative of the topics of training for every deckhand, but rather it is a general guide that should be adapted to individual vessel operations. d. At the discretion of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI), some or all of the deckhands may be permitted to perform duties such as concessionaires, waiters or waitresses provided that they can readily respond to their regularly assigned deckhand duties. However, cooks and foodhandlers should not normally be accepted as deckhands, because of their employment status and good health practices. e. The Coast Guard is responsible for determining that Small Passenger Vessels are manned with competent crews. The method of accomplishing this is left to the discretion of the OCMI. In general, this is accomplished by relying on the vessel inspection process including the proper performance of emergency drills and the questioning of the crew on duties assigned and/or a review of the company training program. There is no intent that company training programs undergo any formal Coast Guard approval process.

Recommended Qualifications for Small Passenger Vessel Deckhands — DISCLAIMER. While the guidance contained in this document may assist the industry, the

public, the Coast Guard, and other Federal and State regulators in applying statutory and regulatory requirements, the guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements; nor is it itself a rule. Thus, it is not intended to nor does it impose legally binding requirements on any party, including the Coast Guard, other Federal agencies, the States, or the regulated community. PAUL J. PLUTA Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection Encl: NVIC 1-91, CH-1, Encl (2) Amplified Guidance And Recommended Qualifications For Deckhands On High Speed Small Passenger Vessels Not Subject To The HSC Code