Policy and Guidance applicable to Fixed OCS Facilities (Fixed Platforms)
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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) Self-Inspection Form;
3) Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs);
4) National Policy;
5) District Eight (Gulf of Mexico) Policy;
6) Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs);
7) Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs);
8) Production Facility Applicability Flowchart; and
9) Job Aid.
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 Fixed OCS Facilities (also referred to as Fixed Platforms):
- Chapter 1, Regulations, Policy and Guidance for a Unit Conducting an OCS Activity, and
- Chapter 5, Procedures Applicable to Fixed OCS Facilities or Platforms.
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replaced Marine Safety Manual (MSM), Volume II: Section G - OCS Activities (cancelled 20Sep2021 and listed here for historical reference only).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.
Self-Inspection Report
The Fixed OCS Facility Inspection Report, CG-5432 (Rev 04/20), can be downloaded as a fillable pdf by clicking on the form number.
National Policy
National policy letters that apply to fixed platforms 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).
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 |
02-02 |
15Feb2002 |
Fixed Platform Inspection Program |
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 |
02-21 |
01Aug2021 |
Adoption of ANSI/CAN/UL 12402-4 (Level 100 lifejackets deemed equivalent to 46 CFR 160.055 life preservers) |
CG-ENG |
01-16 |
29Apr2016 |
Portable Accommodations Module (PAM) Guidance |
Office of Operating and Environmental Standards (CG-OES; formerly CG-522, G-3PSO, G-PSO, and G-MSO) |
CG-OES |
02-20 |
14Oct2020 |
Commercial Diving Operations - Equivalent Levels of Safety |
Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs)
NVICs that apply to fixed platforms 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 |
09-00,
CH-1 |
10Feb2005 |
CH-1 to NVIC 09-00; Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishing System Safety |
1990s |
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) |
1980s |
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 |
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 |
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) |
1-83 |
10Feb1983 |
Painters for Life Floats and Buoyant Apparatus |
7-82 |
13Apr1982 |
Sample Format of Vessel or Facility Station Bill |
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 |
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 Fixed Platforms on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. Job Aids replaced the replaced the legacy CG-840 Books and can be a valuable tool for owners and operators to maintain regulatory compliance on their facilities.
Notes:
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.