USCG Updates Rules for Arrival/Departure Notices, AIS
Final rule on vessel requirements for Notices of Arrival and Departure and Automatic Identification System published in Federal Register
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) headquarters issued a statement announcing the publication of the final rule on Vessel Requirements for Notices of Arrival and Departure and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS).
The final rule amends the applicability of notice of arrival requirements to include additional vessels, sets forth a mandatory method for electronic submission of NOAs and modifies related reporting content, timeframes and procedures, the USCG said.
Additionally, the final rule extends applicability of AIS requirements beyond Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) areas to all U.S. navigable waters and requires that additional commercial vessels install and use AIS.
According to the USCG, these changes will enhance its ability to identify and track vessels, improve navigation safety and heighten overall maritime domain awareness, thus helping the coast guard address threats to maritime transportation safety and security.
The final rule will take effect March 2, 2015. Exceptions to this are amendments to 33 CFR part 160, which become effective April 30, 2015, and sections 160.204(a)(5)(vii), 160.205, 160.208 and 164.46(b) and (c), which contain collection-of-information requirements that have not yet been approved by the Office of Management and Budget. The USCG said it will publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of these four collection-of-information-related sections.
The final rule can be read at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-01-30/pdf/2015-01331.pdf.
