Nontank vessel response plan five-year reviews re-commence on 3 march 2014

Please be advised that the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime Administrator (the “Administrator”) has received the following from the United States Coast Guard (USCG):

The deadline for Nontank Vessel Response Plan (NTVRP) submission was 30 January 2014, and most NTVRPs were submitted to the VRP Program at that time. In order to ensure as little disruption to commerce as possible for failing to have an approved VRP, the VRP Program reviewed NTVRPs for issuance of Interim Operating Authorizations (IOAs) in accordance with Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) 42-13.

The VRP program will re-commence NTVRP five-year reviews on 3 March 2014.

Nontank Vessel Owners and Operators can expect to receive five-year NTVRP approvals, and/or deficiencies for items still necessary for compliance with the full requirements of 33 CFR 155
Subpart J, Nontank Vessel Response Plans.

Submitted plans that do not comply with the full NTVRP regulatory requirements may still be issued an IOA that will expire on 31 July, based on the guidance of MSIB 42-13. MSIB 42-13 was issued on 19 December 2013 and may be found at: http://homeport.uscg.mil/vrp > Nontank Vessel Response Plans > Important NTVRP Documents.

Noncompliant nontank vessels subject to the new regulations risk control action from the USCG to enforce the operating restrictions described in 33 CFR 155.5021.

Please direct any questions to vrp@uscg.mil or the VRP Help Desk at (202) 372-1005.