Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) RequirementsWhat is the Outer Continental Shelf? In accordance with 33 CFR 140.10, the Outer Continental Shelf is defined as: “Outer Continental Shelf or OCS means all submerged lands lying seaward and outside of the area of lands beneath navigable waters as defined in section 2(a) of the Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1301(a)) and of which the subsoil and seabed appertain to the United States and are subject to its jurisdiction and control.”
What are the new Outer Continental Regulations? On January 13, 2011 the U.S. Coast Guard issued a final rule (the “Final Rule”) 33 CFR 146 to establish Notice of Arrival (“NOA”) requirements for “units” (i.e. U.S. and foreign flag vessels, floating facilities, and mobile offshore drilling units (“MODUs”) engaging in Outer Continental Shelf (“OCS”) activities in order to enhance U.S. maritime domain safety and security awareness on the OCS. Previously, only MODUs were required to make NOA reports offshore; this new regulation became effective February 14, 2011.
What are OCS activities? OCS activity is defined as “any offshore activity associated with exploration for, or development or production of, the minerals of the Outer Continental Shelf.” 33 CFR 146
Do I need to submit a Notice of Arrival (NOA) if I'm just transiting on or through the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)? No, you do not have to submit an NOA if you are transiting on or through the OCS.
Does this rulemaking include vessels lightering? No, the rulemaking only applies to vessels engaging in OCS activities.
Who does this rule apply to? There are separate requirements for: (1) U.S. flag floating facilities, (2) foreign flag floating facilities, (3) U.S. and foreign flag MODUs, and (4) U.S. and foreign flag vessels.
What is the definition of a MODU vice a Floating Facility? In accordance with 33 CFR 140.10 the definitions are as follows: "Floating OCS facility means a buoyant OCS facility securely and substantially moored so that it cannot be moved without a special effort. This term includes tension leg platforms and permanently moored semisubmersibles or shipshape hulls but does not include mobile offshore drilling units and other vessels." "Mobile offshore drilling unit or MODU means a vessel, other than a public vessel of the United States, capable of engaging in drilling operations for exploration or exploitation of subsea resources."
What are examples of OCS vessels that are required to report a NOA? Vessels subject to the NOA reporting requirements include but are limited to standby vessels, attending vessels, offshore supply vessels, pipelay vessels, derrick ships, dive support vessels, oceanographic research vessels, towing vessels, and accommodation vessels.
How do I report? The notice must be submitted to the National Vessel Movement Center (NVMC) by electronic Notice of Arrival and Departure (eNOAD) format using methods specified in the NVMC's Web site http://www.nvmc.uscg.gov/
How should vessels engaged in towing report? It is the responsibility of the owner/operator of the unit being towed to designate the “lead” towing vessel. The lead towing vessel is responsible for submitting the NOA for all floating facility/MODU/vessels under their control that are required to report. All floating facility/MODU/vessels under control of the lead towing vessel will be reported in the cargo detail section of the NOA.
When do I need to submit an initial NOA? If a vessel's voyage time is more than 96 hours, the NOA should be submitted at least 96 hours before the vessel's intended arrival on the OCS or from a different OCS block area. 2. If a vessel's voyage time is less than 96 hours and more than 24 hours, the NOA must be submitted before departure. 3. If a vessel';s voyage time is less than 24 hours, the NOA must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the vessel's arrival on the OCS or from a different OCS block area.
When do I need to submit an update to my NOA? Owners and operators of vessels engaged in OCS activities are required to revise and re-submit the NOA whenever the information in the most recently submitted NOA becomes inaccurate as follows: 1. If the vessel will not arrive in 24 hours or more of the time indicated in an NOA, an updated NOA must be submitted as soon as practicable, but at least 24 hours before the vessel arrives at the OCS location. 2. If the new arrival time is less than 24 hours from the initially reported arrival time, or the remaining voyage time is less than 24 hours, then an updated NOA must be submitted as soon as practicable, but at least 12 hours before the vessel arrives at the OCS location. 3. Updated NOA submissions are not required for arrival time changes of less than 6 hours, changes in the location of the vessel at the time of reporting or changes in personnel positions.
Do I need to submit a NOA if I'm moving between OCS block #'s within the same map area? For example if I move from Green Canyon block #x to Green Canyon block #y, do I need to submit an NOA? Owners and operators of vessels engaged in OCS activities are required to revise and re-submit the NOA whenever the information in the most recently submitted NOA becomes inaccurate as follows: 1. If the vessel will not arrive in 24 hours or more of the time indicated in an NOA, an updated NOA must be submitted as soon as practicable, but at least 24 hours before the vessel arrives at the OCS location. 2. If the new arrival time is less than 24 hours from the initially reported arrival time, or the remaining voyage time is less than 24 hours, then an updated NOA must be submitted as soon as practicable, but at least 12 hours before the vessel arrives at the OCS location. 3. Updated NOA submissions are not required for arrival time changes of less than 6 hours, changes in the location of the vessel at the time of reporting or changes in personnel positions.
Are we required to complete the NOA for returning from the OCS to a US Port? If you meet the exemption requirement under 33 CFR Part 160.203 (a)(1) then the vessel will not be required to submit a NOA upon returning from the OCS. Please note the NOA-OCS requirements are governed by 33 CFR Part 146.
Can multiple OCS map areas be reported on the same eNOAD? No, this functionality does not exist on the current NOA-OCS application.
Are we required to list the Hazard Material on the form? Vessels are required to submit a general description of the cargo unless it is a CDC in which case the name, UN Number (if applicable) and amount is required.
If I am a vessel traveling (departing) from a US port to a foreign flag vessel, foreign flagged floating facility or foreign flagged MODU on the OCS for the purpose of conducting OCS activity, does this qualify as a US to Foreign notification? No, in the CG regulation when it refers to US to Foreign, OCS to Foreign, or Foreign to OCS it is referring to traveling to or from a foreign port or place (i.e. not in U.S. waters); therefore the vessel should submit an arrival with a voyage type of US to OCS.
If I am unable to provide the complete crew list at the time of my submission how may I submit the crew list? To begin you will need to submit at least one crew member for the online submission (this is so that your NOA is not considered incomplete). When you have your complete crew list you may update your eNOAD online submission or send a separate e-mail to the NVMC with the crew list/passenger list attached in a excel spread sheet with the vessel name, ship ID number, arrival port, date/time of arrival so that the NVMC knows which record to attach it to. Emails should be sent to: sans@nvmc.uscg.gov Keep in mind that all the fields within the crew and passenger list must match the choices available in the drop down menus provided in the website. If you cannot find an exact match then locate the closest match or utilize “other” as your choice.
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