NVIC 05-01: Operational safety guidance for domestic high-speed vessels

Commandant 2100 Second Street, SW United States Coast Guard Washington, DC 20593-0001 Staff Symbol: G-MOC Phone: 202-267-2978 FAX: 202-267-4934 COMDTPUB P16700.4 NVIC 5-01 APR 23 2001 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 5-01 Subj: GUIDANCE FOR ENHANCING THE OPERATIONAL SAFETY OF DOMESTIC HIGH-SPEED VESSELS

Guidance for enhancing the operational safety of domestic high-speed vessels. — PURPOSE. This circular publishes as enclosure (1), the report of the Passenger Vessel

Association (PVA) / Coast Guard High Speed Craft working group, which offers guidance regarding the operation of domestic vessels in passenger service, at speeds of 30 knots or more, not meeting the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft (HSC Code). Specific guidance, based on industry consensus, is provided in the areas of crew training, vessel operations and navigational safety equipment. Although the report is specific to vessels in passenger service, this circular and the guidance contained herein should also apply to domestic high-speed vessels not engaged in passenger service. It should be noted that this circular does not address external navigational safety issues, such as those relating to waterways management, nor does it address the level of manning for these vessels.

Guidance for enhancing the operational safety of domestic high-speed vessels. — ACTION.

a. Officers-in-Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMIs) should review this circular and ensure that the guidance included in enclosure (1) is brought to the attention of the affected vessel owners and operators within their zones. For any vessel meeting the applicability criteria of this circular, OCMIs should discuss with the owner/operator ways to reduce operating risks and to enhance vessel safety. Upon completion of this dialog, the vessel’s Certificate of Inspection should be amended, referencing the agreed-upon risk control methods. A sample COI endorsement is given in the enclosed report. b. Based on the guidance contained in this circular, high-speed vessel owners/operators should incorporate appropriate safety enhancement measures into their vessel operations and DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 139 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 * 1 1 1 1 C 1 1 1 1 D 1 1 E 1 1 F G H NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: B:a Commandant (G-MOC/MO-1/MSE/MW)(1) Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular No. 5-01 company procedures. Recognizing that high-speed vessel operations are often unique to each vessel, company, and area of operation, this guidance should not be considered as limiting or all-inclusive. High-speed vessel owners/operators are also encouraged to continue cooperative efforts by participating in safety forums such as the PVA High Speed Subcommittee, Harbor Safety Committees, and local CG/industry partnership activities. In addition to the specific risk mitigation guidance provided in this circular, the Passenger Vessel Association Risk Guide (which can be downloaded from the Internet at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/risk/riskdma.htm) should be reviewed. This provides owners/operators a risk-based means to examine their operation in greater detail. Finally, the owners and operators of vessels not meeting the specific applicability criteria of this circular, such as those vessels operating at speeds just under 30 knots, are encouraged to apply the enclosed guidance to their own operations.

Guidance for enhancing the operational safety of domestic high-speed vessels. — DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. None.

DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. None.

Guidance for enhancing the operational safety of domestic high-speed vessels. — BACKGROUND.

a. Early in 1999, the PVA/CG Partnership Action Team recognized a need to address the potential safety risks associated with the growing fleet of domestic passenger vessels capable of high-speed operations. Despite their safe operating history, vessels operating at higher speeds are subject to elevated risks due to the reduced time the operator has to make navigational decisions when compared to conventional vessels. A fleet-wide observation of these vessels has shown that the majority of owners and operators are applying risk-reducing measures, above and beyond the minimum required by federal regulation, to help ensure the safety of their vessels. The voluntary controls implemented thus far have helped bridge the gap between our domestic regulatory standards and the HSC Code. However, in order to capture the best practices of industry and to address the need for standardized guidance, the PVA/CG Partnership Action Team chartered a working group comprised of existing domestic high-speed vessel operators and associated Coast Guard personnel. b. As cited in the purpose section, this circular uses a 30-knot threshold to define high-speed vessel operations. This threshold was established by consensus of the working group as a deliverable of the working group charter. The 30-knot threshold was recognized as a point at which vessel navigation becomes less routine and the risks associated with navigational safety become more apparent. Further discussion on this matter is given in the enclosed report. Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular No. 5-01

Guidance for enhancing the operational safety of domestic high-speed vessels. — DISCUSSION.

a.

Our domestic maritime safety laws and regulations are designed to ensure an acceptable level of safety on commercial vessels, which includes an accepted level of risk.

Where the regulations do not accommodate vessels of unusual design or operation, the unique design or operating parameters must be addressed and an equivalent level of safety established.

With that in mind, domestic high-speed vessel operators should identify the elevated risks associated with their operations and discuss specific ways to mitigate them with the OCMI.

The guidance contained in the enclosed report represents a consensus of best industry practices for mitigating risk and enhancing operational safety. b.

The enclosed guidance is predominantly geared toward modern high-speed vessels engaged in passenger service: particularly those inspected under 46 CFR, Subchapters K or H.

These vessels are often equipped with highly sophisticated navigation and engineering equipment/systems.

Their safe operation requires a high level of training, expertise and teamwork; the need for a comprehensive training plan and detailed operations manual is absolutely essential.

On the contrary, some of the smaller and older vessels to which this NVIC applies may have more conventional navigation and engineering systems.

For these vessels, the training plans and operations manuals may not require the same level of detail and some of the additional bridge equipment recommended by the enclosed guidance may be viewed as impractical or unreasonable, particularly for the smaller vessels.

Therefore, when applying the enclosed guidance, the vessel operator and OCMI should ensure that the training and operations manuals address the safety concerns associated with the operation of high-speed vessels while also being appropriate for the systems installed on a given vessel; a common-sense approach should prevail. c.

Federal regulations give the OCMI authority to impose additional safety measures as appropriate for certain vessels.

For small passenger vessels inspected under 46 CFR, Subchapters K or T, under Parts 121 and 184 respectively, the OCMI may require additional navigation, control, or communication equipment on vessels operating at high- speeds in restricted or high-traffic areas.

Additionally, under 46 CFR 15.501, the OCMI is given broad authority to determine the minimum manning requirements on any inspected vessel.

Supplemental to these regulatory provisions, there exists long-standing policy in the Coast Guard Marine Safety Manual, Volume III, Chapter 21, Section S, offering 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.

Recognizing the OCMI’s authority to require additional safety measures and the desire to maintain a national consistency, vessel operators are strongly encouraged to comply with the enclosed guidance.

Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular No. 5-01 d.

The risk mitigation measures included in this circular are intended to obviate the need for additional regulatory controls.

However, considering the basic principles of risk analysis, where various hazards are identified, a probability and consequence rating is assigned, and a relative risk is determined for each hazard, some high-speed vessels may require additional risk control measures, beyond those given by this NVIC.

It is generally agreed that high- speed vessels are subject to greater navigational safety risks when compared to vessels operating at slower speeds.

Guidance for enhancing the operational safety of domestic high-speed vessels. — APPLICABILITY. This circular applies to domestic, non-HSC Code vessels that are capable

of loaded service speeds of 30 knots or more and subject to Coast Guard inspection. Encl: (1) Report of the PVA/CG High-Speed Craft Working Group