Jan. 19, 2023

Coast Guard to convene public hearing into fire, total constructive loss of the passenger vessel Spirit of Norfolk

The Coast Guard is scheduled to conduct a formal hearing starting Thursday, Jan. 26, in Virginia Beach to consider evidence related to the fire and total constructive loss of the passenger vessel Spirit of Norfolk.

Jan. 12, 2023

Federal Register Notice: Commercial Diving Operations

The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that it is withdrawing the proposed rule entitled “Commercial Diving Operations” published in the Federal Register on February 19, 2015. We are taking this action because there have been changes in the industry since we published the NPRM in 2015, including new standards and technologies. We have concluded that the rule we proposed in 2015 is no longer appropriate in light of those changes. The Coast Guard may issue a new rulemaking in the future if warranted.

Jan. 3, 2023

Federal Register Notice: National Boating Safety Advisory Committee; January 2023 Virtual Meeting

The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that the National Boating Safety Advisory Committee and its Subcommittees will meet virtually to discuss matters relating to national boating safety. The virtual meeting will be open to the public.

Dec. 23, 2022

Final Rule: Consumer Price Index Adjustments of Oil Pollution Act of 1990 Limits of Liability-Vessels, Deepwater Ports and Onshore Facilities

The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register that it is adjusting the limits of liability for vessels, deepwater ports, and onshore facilities to reflect the increase in the Consumer Price Index since they were last adjusted in 2019. The regulatory inflation increases to the limits of liability are required by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and are necessary to preserve the deterrent effect and “polluter pays” principle embodied in the Act.

Dec. 22, 2022

Notice of public meeting: IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction

The Department of State announced in the Federal Register that it will conduct a public meeting at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, by way of both in-person at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC and teleconference. The primary purpose of the meeting is to prepare for the 9th session of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Subcommittee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 9) to be held at the IMO Headquarters in London, United Kingdom from Monday, January 23 to Friday, January 27, 2023. The Federal Register Notice is available at: Federal Register :: Notice of Public Meeting in Preparation for International Maritime Organization SDC 9 Meeting.