The U.S. Coast recently published the following update
Seafarers’ Access to Maritime Facilities
The Coast Guard issued a final rule on April 1, 2019,“Seafarers Access to Maritime Facilities”requiring owners or operators of a maritime facility regulated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) to implement a system providing seafarers, pilots, and representatives of seamen’s welfare and labor organizations access between vessels moored at the facility and the facility gate, in a timely manner and at no cost to the seafarer or other individuals. This final rule implements Section 811 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 requiring facility owners and operators to ensure mariners are provided secure, yet reasonable, no-cost opportunities to transit through MTSA-regulated facilities in order to access fundamental human services, and to visit with family and friends.
These access procedures located in 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 105.237, System for seafarers’ access, must be documented in the Facility Security Plan (FSP) for each facility and approved by the local Coast Guard Captain of the Port.Approximately 2,500 facilities nationwide are affected by these requirement.
Most MTSA-regulated facility owners or operators are already in compliance with these requirements. However, the Coast Guard is aware that some facility owners or operators will need to amend or update their FSPs. Each Captain of the Port will review any submitted amendments to ensure they are in compliance paying particular attention to the requirements listed in 33CFR105.237 (c)-(e). The local Captain of the Port may be contacted if there are any questions regarding an individual facility or security plan.
Important dates associated with the regulation:
May 1, 2019 – Seafarers’ Access to Maritime Facilities regulation became effective;
February 3, 2020 – The system of access must be documented in the FSP; and,
June 1, 2020 – The facility owner or operator must implement their system of access.
More information on the Seafarers’ Access Final Rule may be found at:
Seafarers’ Access to Maritime Facilities: Frequently Asked Questions, Maritime Commons Blog Post may be found at:
https://mariners.coastguard.blog/
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this bulletin, please contact Lieutenant Commander Yamaris Barril, Commandant (CG-FAC-2) U.S. Coast Guard, at (202) 372-1151or by email at [email protected].
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