I have a topic which is on the table with a few colleagues. What are the requirements for delivering a tug boat into US waters for drydocking purposes. Let’s say that the tug boat is being delivered from waters outside the USA. Does the captain have to hold a US master’s ticket to enter US waters? What if the captain holds a Unlimited OOW ticket (valid) from the MCA UK? Would this vessel be penalized for incorrect manning requirements? Also the captain holds valid STCW certification and is also a certified ship Pilot.
The tug boat is 100 feet in length and around 300 GRT.
Any insight or information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
[QUOTE=rshrew;112515]If its foreign flagged he would need to hold the valid license/STCW to operate the tug from the flag state to my knowledge and he would be fine.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=z-drive;154811]Yeah just make sure to comply with any compulsory pilotage for the port that the shipyard is located in.[/QUOTE]
and make sure all the seamen on the tug have their endorsements from the flag state, that the tug is manned per the safe manning certificate and that ALL the vessel’s required documents are in order. I recommend a good ship’s agent to handle all of the required clearances for the vessel and crew plus to file the Notice of Arrival on the vessel’s behalf and arrange for the pilot if required (depends on the port). Tell the owner of the vessel not to cheap out when it comes to compliance with port state regulations. A few dollars spent in advance of arrival in the US can make your and his lives a whole lot easier than if he believes he doesn’t have to have good representation in the port.