USCG Issues Interim OSV Cargo Rule

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) issued an interim rule regarding regulations to mitigate the risk created by the removal of the statutory size limit previously placed on offshore supply vessels (OSVs). The regulations were effective immediately upon publication in the Federal Register.

The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 removed the statutory size limit previously placed on offshore supply vessels and required the Coast Guard to issue regulations to mitigate the risk created as a result, noting the need to ensure safe carriage of oil, hazardous substances and individuals other than crew on OSVs of at least 6,000 gross tonnage as measured under the Convention Measurement System.

Also, this rule will affect any vessel of at least 500 gross register tons as measured under the Regulatory Measurement System, if that vessel is not assigned a measurement under the Convention Measurement System and the owner desires to have the vessel certified as an OSV.