US Outer Continental Shelf: New Vessel Safety & Environment Rules Proposed

The U.S. Coast Guard herald the publication of an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to publicize regulations requiring vessels engaged in outer continental shelf activities  to develop, implement and maintain a vessel-specific safety and environmental management system.

The safety and environmental management system incorporates the management program and principles of American Petroleum Institute’s Recommended Practice for Development of a Safety and Environmental Management Program for Offshore Operations and Facilities, Third Edition, May 2004 (API RP 75).

The Coast Guard intends for these systems to be developed and implemented by the vessel’s owner or operator and be compatible with a designated lease operator’s SEMS required under Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement regulations.

“This advance notice of proposed rulemaking further underscores the Coast Guard’s commitment to offshore safety,” said Jeffrey Lantz, director of Commercial Regulations and Standards. “The Coast Guard believes that a robust safety and environmental management system should be in place for all vessels that conduct offshore activities. This rule signals the Coast Guard’s intent to complement the BSEE safety and environmental management system rule and promote a safety culture on the outer continental shelf.”

The Coast Guard seeks comments on the feasibility of implementing a safety and environmental management system that incorporates API RP 75 and compatibility with BSEE SEMS regulations, as well as potential methods of oversight, safety issues, costs and regulatory burdens and other issues of concern to the regulated community and the public.

The published ANPRM and related materials may be reviewed online at http://www.regulations.gov , docket number: USCG-2012-0779.