A DYNAMIC POSITIONING SYSTEM ASSURANCE ORGANIZATION, DPSAO, IS A NEWLY CREATED ENTITY ARRISING FROM THE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING, DOCKET ID USCG-2014-0063, FROM THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
Public Comment Submissions
The docket closed for comments on the 27th May 2015 at 11:59pm ET.Comments can be seen and downlaoded from the regulations.gov website. There were over 130 comments published to the site, although we are of the opinion that not all those comments are valid or well thought out.
From USCG comments at the MTS DP Conference the rule may come into force in the next year, although somewhat less robust.
A link to the comments posted to the USCG can be found in our links page.
Information & Description
In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon incident the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has proposed amendments to the Code of Federal Regulations regarding oversight of Dynamic Positioning operations in the US Gulf of Mexico. This may bring new requirements to vessel operators and assurance providers.
A thorough review of the initial draft has been conducted and we would like to keep our colleagues in the industry of the specific actions required once this change takes effect.
Further updates to this website will be made as soon as any revised Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) is issued by the USCG, or any other pertinent information is received.What the rules / new regulation covers:
The New Regulation is Part of or Amends the Following Existing CFRs:
Title 33 – Navigation and Navigable Waters – 140.310 through 140.405
Title 46 – Shipping – 61.50 through 62.25
Those affected by the new USCG Regulation:
Owners and operators of MODU’s or Other Vessels conducting OCS activities using the DP system.
Independent third party inspection / verification companies
USCG
Burdens For The Industry
Owners and operators will be required to acquire a Dynamic Positioning System Assurance Document (DPVAD) for their vessels.
The DPSAO will issue the DPVAD to the vessel owner / operator on completion of satisfactory testing and verify on an annual basis that the system remains fully functional. This will include approval of documents required by the USCG.
Further Information
Further information is available above through the DPSAO Services button above
