Action
Interim Rule with request for comments.
Summary
The Coast Guard is establishing an alternative hull examination program for certain passenger vessels. This rule establishes the option of alternating drydock examinations with underwater surveys for nautical school, offshore supply, passenger and sailing school vessels. This rule also establishes an examination process that gives industry additional latitude in scheduling inspections and will create parity between passenger vessels and all other Coast Guard-inspected vessels. We expect this rule to result in a reduction of time and paperwork associated with Coast Guard vessel inspections and examinations.