Policy and Guidance applicable to Floating OCS Facilities (FOFs)
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The content listed below is available on this page. Use the tabs above to view the following categories:
1) COMDTINST 16000.76, Marine Safety: OCS Inspections (previously MSM Volume II, Section G);
2) Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs);
3) National Policy;
4) District Eight (Gulf of Mexico) Policy;
5) Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs);
6) USCG Mission Management System (MMS) Work Instructions (WIs);
7) Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs);
8) Production Facility Applicability Flowchart; and
9) Inspection job aid (replaced legacy checklists).
COMDTINST 16000.76, Marine Safety: OCS Inspections (previously Section G of the Marine Safety Manual, Volume II)
The following chapters of COMDTINST 16000.76, Marine Safety: Outer Continental Shelf Inspections are applicable to FOFs:
- Chapter 1, Regulations, Policy and Guidance for a Unit Conducting an OCS Activity, and
- Chapter 4, Procedures Applicable to Floating OCS Facilities.
This Commandant Instruction replaced Marine Safety Manual (MSM), Volume II: Section G - OCS Activities (cancelled 20Sep2021 and listed here for historical reference only). Note that there was no content change with the republishing of MSM Vol II Section G as a separate Commandant Instruction on 20Sep2021, but future content revisions are planned.
National Policy
National policy letters that apply to floating OCS facilities are listed in the table below, grouped by issuing authority and ordered from newest to oldest (by policy number/original issue date). Click on the policy number to open the document (opens in a new window).
February 2022 Policy Change: Please review CG-OES PL 01-22 and CG-MMS PL 01-22 in conjunction with 87 FR 7716 published on February 10, 2022 for a shift from the way that the CG has historically treated FOFs as "vessels". These policies discuss guidance on determining if a FOF is a vessel or non-vessel, oversight, certification/documents issued, manning requirements and changes related to merchant mariner credentials issued for service on FOFs. These policies came from a multi-year internal review of the USCG's regulations, policies and procedures related to oversight of FOFs on the U.S. OCS. The CG also reviewed recent court rulings related to OCS activities and the 2018 NOSAC report detailing the review and recommendations for CG regulations applicable to OCS units operating on the U.S. OCS (Production Subcommittee Final Report) while developing these policies.
Office |
Policy Number |
Date Issued |
Subject |
Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC; formerly CG-543, G-3PCV, G-PCV, and G-MOC) |
CG-CVC |
18-04 |
03Apr2018 |
Guidance on Implementation of New Standards for Fire Protection, Detection and Extinguishing Equipment |
CG-CVC |
Change Notice |
24Jun2014 |
Policy Cancellations – COMDTCHANGENOTE 16000, CH-1 to MSM Vol II |
CG-543 |
11-04 |
13Apr2011 |
Compliance Verification of Alternative Security Program for MTSA Regulated Vessels and Facilities |
G-MOC |
03-01 |
11Feb2003 |
In-Service Inspection Program (ISIP) for Floating Facilities in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)
(CANCELLED, see 25Jun14 Change Notice to MSM Vol II (linked in this table); policy is included here for historical reference purposes only) |
G-MOC |
02-01 |
08Feb2002 |
Regular Compliment Crew Determinations for Vessels Engaged in OCS Activities
(CANCELLED, see 25Jun14 Change Notice to MSM Vol II (linked in this table); policy is included here for historical reference purposes only) |
Office of Design and Engineering Standards (CG-ENG; formerly CG-521, G-3PSE, G-PSE, and G-MSE) |
CG-ENG |
02-23 |
02Aug2023 |
USCG Acceptance of IMO Guidelines for Hydrostatic Testing of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Cylinders Associated with Fixed Gas Fire Extinguishing Systems
The referenced IMO guidelines are found in MSC.1/Circ.1318/Rev.1: Revised Guidelines for the Maintenance and Inspections of Fixed Carbon Dioxide Fire-Extinguishing Systems (click on name to access). |
CG-ENG |
01-23 |
17Mar2023 |
Design Basis Agreement Submission Guidance |
CG-ENG |
03-21 |
02Aug2021 |
Acceptance of Helicopter Safety Advisory Committee (HSAC) Recommended Practice (RP) 161, New Build Helideck Design Guidelines |
CG-ENG |
02-21 |
01Aug2021 |
Adoption of ANSI/CAN/UL 12402-4 (Level 100 lifejackets deemed equivalent to 46 CFR 160.055 life preservers) |
CG-ENG |
01-18 |
01May2018 |
Equivalency Determination – FRP Gratings Conforming to ASTM F3059 |
CG-ENG |
01-16 |
29Apr2016 |
Portable Accommodations Module (PAM) Guidance |
CG-ENG |
03-15 |
03Sep2015 |
Acceptance of CAP-437, Standards for Offshore Helicopter Landing Areas |
CG-ENG |
02-14 |
30Apr2014 |
Approval of Equivalencies to the Requirements for Odorizing Units on Fixed Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishing Systems |
CG-ENG |
01-13 |
26Jun2013 |
Alternate Design and Equipment Standards for Floating Offshore Installations (FOI) and Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Units on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf |
Office of Operating and Environmental Standards (CG-OES; formerly CG-522, G-3PSO, G-PSO, and G-MSO) |
CG-OES |
01-22 |
04Feb2022 |
Determination of Whether a Floating Outer Continental Shelf Facility (FOF) is a Vessel
See 87 FR 7716 released on 10Feb2022 for supplementary information. |
CG-OES |
02-20 |
14Oct2020 |
Commercial Diving Operations - Equivalent Levels of Safety |
Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing (CG-MMC) |
CG-MMC |
01-22 |
04Feb2022 |
Merchant Mariner Credential Endorsements for Service on Floating Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Facilities
See 87 FR 7716 released on 10Feb2022 for supplementary information. |
District Eight (Gulf of Mexico) Policy
D8 policy letters that apply to floating OCS facilities are listed in the table below, grouped by issuing authority and ordered from newest to oldest (by policy number/original issue date). Click on the policy number to open the document (opens in a new window).
Note that policy letter numbers for all policies listed from 1999 and earlier do NOT have a policy number referenced on the letter itself, but the policy number listed was assigned by D8 for tracking purposes.
Policy Number |
Date Issued |
Subject |
Cancellation Notice |
26Feb2024 |
Cancellation of D8(ocs) Policy Letter 01-2020 (Emergency Evacuation Drills on Manned Facilities with Lifeboats) |
Cancellation Notice |
03Aug2023 |
Cancellation of D8(ocs) Policy Letter 02-2016 (Structural Integrity Management (SIM) Program) |
01-2022, Rev 1 |
26Feb2024 |
Verification of Training and Drills for Personnel Assigned Special or Emergency Duties on Floating Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Facilities (FOFs)
Policy Letter 01-2022 (issued 03May2022) is available for historical reference purposes |
01-2020 |
19May2020 |
Emergency Evacuation Drills on Manned Facilities with Lifeboats
(CANCELLED 26Feb2024 by D8(do) Memo OCS-24010 dated 26Feb2024; policy is included here for historical reference purposes only) |
Cancellation Notice |
23Aug2019 |
Policy Cancellation - Maritime Commons blog post detailing the cancellation of D8(ocs) Policy Letter 01-2016 |
01-2018 |
05Jun2018 |
Guidance on Spar Liferaft Installations |
04-2016,
Rev 1 |
07May2018 |
Lifesaving Inspection and Emergency Evacuation Drills on Manned Facilities (Including Mobile Offshore Drilling Units) on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)
(CANCELLED 19May2020 by D8(ocs) Policy Letter 01-2020; policy is included here for historical reference purposes only)
Policy Letter 04-2016 is also available for historical reference purposes |
03-2016 |
02Jun2016 |
Interim Coast Guard Eighth District Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Risk-Based Inspection Resource Allocation Methodology |
02-2016 |
19Jan2016 |
Structural Integrity Management (SIM) Program as an Alternative Hull Inspection for Floating Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Facilities
(CANCELLED 03Aug2023 by D8(do) Memo OCS-23040; policy is included here for historical reference purposes only) |
01-2016 |
19Jan2016 |
Interim Guidance on Life Extension (Continued Service) Requirements for Floating OCS Facilities
(CANCELLED 23Aug2019 by Maritime Commons blog post, linked in this table above; policy is included here for historical reference purposes only) |
01-2015 |
14Sep2015 |
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Emergency Evacuation Plan (EEP) Approvals |
01-2014 |
10Oct2014 |
Guidance on Post-Hurricane Inspection Requirements for Floating Offshore Production Facilities |
Cancellation Notice |
11Jul2014 |
Policy Cancellations - Memo detailing the cancellation of D8(m) Policy Letters |
06-2004 |
22Dec2004 |
Guardrail and Storm Rail Requirements for Floating Offshore Installations (FOIs)
(CANCELLED 11Jul2014 by D8 OCS Memo (linked in this table), incorporated into MSM Vol II, Sec G; policy is included here for historical reference purposes only) |
05-2004 |
17Sep2004 |
Use of Hose Reels with Non-Collapsible Hard-Rubber Fire Hosed on Floating Offshore Installations
(CANCELLED 11Jul2014 by D8 OCS Memo (linked in this table), incorporated into MSM Vol II, Sec G; policy is included here for historical reference purposes only) |
03-2004 |
03May2004 |
In-Service Inspection Program (ISIP) for Floating Facilities in the Outer Continental Shelf
(CANCELLED 11Jul2014 by D8 OCS Memo (linked in this table), incorporated into MSM Vol II, Sec G; policy is included here for historical reference purposes only) |
04-2003 |
30Sep2003 |
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Emergency Evacuation Plan (EEP) Approvals
(CANCELLED 11Jul2014 by D8 OCS Memo (linked in this table), incorporated into MSM Vol II, Sec G; policy is included here for historical reference purposes only) |
08-2001 |
27Jul2001 |
Licensing Requirements for Personnel on Non-Self Propelled Floating OCS Facilities
(CANCELLED by CG-MMC Policy Letter 01-22, dated 04Feb2022; policy is included here for historical reference purposes only) |
03-2000,
CH-1 |
20Oct2000 |
Policy on Manning of Non-Self Propelled Floating Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Facilities
(CANCELLED by D8(do) Policy Letter 01-2022, dated 03May2022; policy is included here for historical reference purposes only) |
99-19 |
16Sep1999 |
MODU Lifeboat Release Gear Overload Tests (alternate testing apparatus) |
99-06 |
03Mar1999 |
Issuing COI Amendments (CG-858)
(CANCELLED 11Jul2014 by D8 OCS Memo (linked in this table), incorporated into MSM Vol II, Sec G; policy is included here for historical reference purposes only) |
98-26 |
23Oct1998 |
OCS Facility Casualty Notification |
98-14 |
27Jul1998 |
In Service Inspection Plans for Floating OCS Facilities |
Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs)
NVICs that apply to floating OCS facilities are listed in the table below, ordered from newest to oldest (by NVIC number). Click on the NVIC number to open the document (opens in a new window). ALL NVICs can be found on the Official NVIC Page.
NVIC Number |
Date Issued |
Subject |
2020s |
02-24 |
21Feb2024 |
Reporting Breaches of Security, Suspicious Activity, Transportation Security Incidents and Cyber Incidents |
01-24 |
20Feb2024 |
Guidelines for Qualification for National Endorsements for Lifeboatman and Lifeboatman-Limited and STCW Endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats and Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited
Provided for reference for those that choose to voluntarily maintain Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) LB /PSC endorsements. |
01-20 |
26Feb2020 |
Guidelines for Addressing Cyber Risks at Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) Regulated Facilities |
2010s |
02-19, CH-2 |
22Jul2024 |
CH-2 to Guide to Marine Equipment Approvals Covered by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) (NVIC 02-19 superseded NVIC 08-04, CH-1) |
01-15 |
21Jul2015 |
Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 4 Marine Casualty Reporting Procedures Guide with Associated Standard Interpretations
Note: 46 CFR Part 4 is not specifically applicable but referenced through 33 CFR 140.203 and 146.35. |
2000s |
10-04 |
20Aug2004 |
Guidelines for Handling of Sensitive Security Information (SSI) |
05-03 |
15Dec2003 |
Implementation Guidance for the Maritime Security Regulations Mandated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 for Outer Continental Shelf Facilities |
6-01 |
25May2001 |
Protective Equipment Required for Firefighter’s Outfits |
09-00,
CH-1 |
10Feb2005 |
CH-1 to NVIC 09-00; Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishing System Safety |
1990s |
9-97,
CH-1 |
02Jul2010 |
CH-1 to NVIC 9-97, Guide to Structural Fire Protection |
3-97 |
- |
Stability Related Review Performed by the American Bureau of Shipping for U.S. Flag Vessels |
1-94 |
21Jan1994 |
Marking of Life Preservers and PFDs |
13-92 |
15Dec1992 |
Captain of the Port Zone Boundaries
(CANCELLED 15Jul2021, see 86 FR 37238; included here for historical reference purposes only) |
11-92 |
23Oct1992 |
Guidance for Acceptance of the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI) National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) for Repairs and Alterations to Boilers and Pressure Vessels |
10-92,
CH-2 |
04May2006 |
CH-2 to NVIC 10-92, Coast Guard Recognition of Registered Professional Engineer Certification of Compliance with Coast Guard Requirements |
3-92 |
24Feb1992 |
Recommended Program for Protection of Merchant Mariners from Occupational Health Problems |
1980s |
3-89 |
07Sep1989 |
Guidelines for the Presentation of Stability Information for Operating Personnel |
6-87 |
21Sep1987 |
Recommended Procedures for Control of Asbestos and Other Respiratory Hazards on board Merchant Vessels, Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Facilities and Deepwater Ports |
11-86 |
05Sep1986 |
Guidelines Governing the Use of Fiberglass Pipe (FGP) on Coast Guard Inspected Vessels |
4-86 |
28Mar1986 |
Hydraulic Release Units for Liferafts, Life Floats and Buoyant Apparatus and Alternate Float-Free Arrangements |
4-85 incl Ch-1 and 2 |
09Oct1986 |
Recalls and Other Corrective Measures for Lifesaving Equipment |
11-84 |
20Dec1984 |
Guidelines for New Construction or Major Modification of U.S. Flag Vessels in Foreign Shipyards |
8-84 |
23Aug1984 |
Recommendations for the Submittal of Merchant Vessel Plans and Specifications |
7-84 |
07Aug1984 |
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Citizenship Requirements; Exemptions from |
1-84 |
03Apr1984 |
Lack of Topstitching on Some Type I Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) |
10-83 |
29Sep1983 |
Stability Approval and the Issuance of Stability Letters
(CANCELLED 15Jul2021, see 86 FR 37238; included here for historical reference purposes only) |
1-83 |
10Feb1983 |
Painters for Life Floats and Buoyant Apparatus |
10-82,
CH-2 |
18Sep1989 |
CH-2 to NVIC 10-82, Acceptance of Plan Review and Inspection Tasks Performed by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for New Construction or Major Modification of U.S. Flag Vessels |
7-82 |
13Apr1982 |
Sample Format of Vessel or Facility Station Bill |
9-81 |
10Aug1981 |
Coast Guard Guidance Regarding Shipboard Helicopter Facilities |
6-81 |
18Jun1981 |
Lifeboat Weight Tests |
7-80 |
02Apr1980 |
Use of Fire Detection Systems which are Not approved under 46 CFR 161.002 |
2-80 |
07Feb1980 |
Poured-Metal Socket Connections for Lifeboat Falls |
1-80 |
14Jan1980 |
Inspection of Viking On-Load Release Gear on Watercraft America |
1970s |
5-77 |
20Dec1977 |
Inspection of Hydraulic Starting Systems for Lifeboats and Survival Capsules |
1960s |
1-69 |
08Jan1969 |
Automated Main and Auxiliary Machinery |
3-68 |
21Mar1968 |
Tensile Fasteners |
3-67 |
17May1967 |
Alteration of Ship’s Structure which May Affect the Adequacy of Installed Safety Devices |
2-63 |
24Jan1963 |
Guide for Inspection and Repair of Lifesaving Equipment |
Production Facility Applicability Flowchart
For a pdf version of the applicability flowchart displayed below, click here.
![Flowchart detailing the regulatory applicability for inspection of production facilities on the U.S. OCS Flowchart detailing the regulatory applicability for inspection of production facilities on the U.S. OCS](/portals/9/OCSNCOE/References/Flowcharts/Prod-Fac-Applicability-w-Images.png?ver=ClmVHnlpcGNe12-ZN6J0Zw%3d%3d)
Inspection Job Aid
The following Job Aid pertains to Floating OCS Facilities on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. Job Aids replaced the legacy CG-840 Books and can be a valuable tool for owners and operators to maintain regulatory compliance on their facilities.
Notes:
Several items listed in the Job Aid may no longer be applicable to FOFs that have been determined NOT to be vessels in accordance with the provisions of CG-OES Policy Letter 01-22. Work has been completed to update the performance qualification standard (PQS) for USCG marine inspectors and the job aid, but the release of these revised documents has not been forecasted.
Job Aids are developed for use by the CG Marine Inspector, following internal CG procedures, and are provided as a convenience (and transparency) to industry. The Pre-Inspection/Pre-Exam and Follow-Up sections mainly pertain to administrative tasks of the Marine Inspector. While "if applicable" is NOT annotated within the Job Aid, there are inspection/exam items listed that may not apply to a particular facility.
Additional Job Aids and Marine Inspector Performance Qualification Standards (PQS) are available on CVC's MI Resources page.