Streamlined Inspection Program
SIP is an alternative to traditional Coast Guard inspections that was developed in response to the Maritime Regulatory Reform Initiative. The Maritime Regulatory Reform Initiative challenged the Coast Guard to re-evaluate its regulatory programs and to develop alternatives that would ensure the same level of safety.
Originally, Coast Guard Districts and OCMIs were encouraged to explore options for streamlining the traditional inspection process. This resulted in numerous “prototype” SIPs created and tested by local Coast Guard units and Districts. Soon, however, it became apparent that the diversity of these programs was actually an impediment to each program’s success. Since each local version of SIP differed in the type and manner of USCG oversight, verification of the vessel’s compliance with regulatory safety requirements became an issue when vessels were inspected in OCMI zones other than the one in which the SIP enrollment was made. Some OCMIs were reluctant to accept another OCMI zone’s validation of the vessel’s compliance because there lacked a consistent inspection practice for ascertaining compliance. Accordingly, it became necessary to develop a consistent national policy regarding SIP.
The significant difference between SIP and the traditional annual inspection program is in the process of how compliance is ensured. SIP is primarily an “overlay” of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) requirements that regulate vessel safety. It identifies an alternative process for ensuring compliance with the CFR, where company personnel conduct frequent, periodic examinations of the various vessel systems, document their findings, and take the necessary corrective actions specified in the USCG approved plans when discrepancies are discovered. The Coast Guard will still conduct required inspections of the vessel(s), however, the manner of conducting the inspection will be considerably different. SIP is not strictly or singularly a “self-inspection” program. Under SIP the marine inspector’s primary focus will be to review the implementation and management of the SIP by the company and check some critical vessel systems to verify accuracy of the records.
SIP is based on maintaining enrolled vessels in a continual state of compliance. This continual state of compliance is assured through the development of an OCMI-approved Company Action Plan (CAP) and Vessel Action Plan(s) (VAP).
These plans:
- Stipulate the company’s commitment to a partnership with the Coast Guard to ensure the vessels operate in a continual state of compliance.
- Identify the responsibilities of company personnel for ensuring that this commitment is fulfilled in addition to identifying the vessel specific systems that will be examined:
- By whom
- When
- How to record the examination
- What to do in the event a discrepancy is discovered
The company will develop these plans with the assistance of a USCG SIP Advisor, assigned to work with the Company SIP Representative.
For additional information and a list of frequently asked questions, please consult Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 2-99 here or contact the SIP Program Manager.
SIP Program Manager:
Email: FlagStateControl@uscg.mil
SIP Criteria References And Sample Documents
These are individual pages in the Vessel Action Plan that list each item on the vessel required by regulation to be periodically inspected.
ICRs:
- Indicate every possible system/subsystem on a vessel, required by regulation, which must be periodically inspected.
- Specific reference is made to the relevant Code of Federal Regulations.
- Criteria or performance standard is explained.
- Outline the actions to be taken when a deficiency is noted during periodic inspections.
- Each procedure must match the numbering system on the Inspection Schedule and Verification form.
| Inspection Criteria Reference |
Downloads |
| ICR Subchapter D or O Tankbarge |
PDF |
MS Word |
| ICR Subchapter D or O Tankship |
PDF |
MS Word |
| ICR Subchapter H Passenger Vessel |
PDF |
MS Word |
| ICR Subchapter I Cargo Vessel |
PDF |
MS Word |
| ICR Subchapter K Small Passenger Vessel |
PDF |
MS Word |
| ICR Subchapter L Offshore Supply Vessel |
PDF |
MS Word |
| ICR Subchapter T Small Passenger Vessel |
PDF |
MS Word |
The CAP describes a company’s organization, policies, and responsibilities required for participation in the SIP.
| Sample Document |
Downloads |
| Authority Statement |
PDF |
MS WORD |
| Company Action Plan |
PDF |
|
| Company Environmental Plan |
PDF |
MS WORD |
| Company Safety Program |
PDF |
MS WORD |
| Company Training |
PDF |
MS WORD |
| Method of Adoption of the SIP |
PDF |
MS WORD |
| Organization Commitment Statement |
PDF |
MS WORD |
| Organizational Chart |
PDF |
MS WORD |
| Responsibilities Statement |
PDF |
MS WORD |
SIP Forms
| Form |
Description |
Downloads |
| Correction Report (CR) |
A document that sets out specific vessel deficiencies and is used to record their correction by the company. Correction Reports will identify a specific deficiency, the date it was identified, the corrective measure taken, the repair date, and the source or vendor. |
PDF |
MS Word |
| Examination Checklist |
Any document or form approved in the VAP, to be used by company employees to record the periodic examinations required by the VAP. A separate Examination Checklist is optional. For example, companies may use the ISVs and CRs to satisfy this need. |
PDF |
MS Word |
| Inspection Schedule and Verification (ISV) Form |
The document that lists the items to be inspected and the intervals for their inspection, and on which is recorded the completion of required examinations and tests conducted by designated company employees. The ISV form:
- Identifies which systems/subsystems require inspection.
- The frequency of inspection.
- Provides a record of the inspection findings.
- Vessel specific.
|
PDF |
|
| USCG SIP Inspection Form |
This Coast Guard SIP Inspection Form is broken down into the following four categories.
- Administrative Review
- SIP Performance Review
- Materiel Review
- Conclusion / Recommendation
|
PDF |
MS Word |