Imagery Available: Portland-based Coast Guard unit issues first Certificate of Inspection to towing vessel under Subchapter M using Coast Guard-Option

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/21/2018 12:06 AM EDT

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Portland-based Coast Guard unit issues first Certificate of Inspection to towing vessel under Subchapter M using Coast Guard-Option

Petty Officer 1st Class Jeff Deronde, a marine inspector at Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland, presents Scott Shaver, president of Shaver Transportation with a Subchapter M Certificate of Inspection using the Coast Guard option, in Portland, Ore., July 20, 2018. Coast Guard marine inspectors Lt. Mary Morgan, Petty Officer 1st Class Jeff Deronde, Mike Pearson and Chief Petty Officer David Labadie all from Marine Safety Unit Portland, present a Subchapter M Certificate of Compliance to the crew of the towing vessel Sommer S., operated by Shaver Transportation, in Portland, Ore., July 20, 2018.

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PORTLAND, Ore. — A local Coast Guard unit issued one of the first Certificate of Inspections under Subchapter M using Coast Guard-Option to Shaver Transportation Company, headquartered in Portland, Friday.

The inspection conducted by marine inspectors from Marine Safety Unit Portland certifies the towing vessel Sommer S. for Subchapter M compliance.

Subchapter M contains the safety regulations governing the inspection, standards and safety management systems of towing vessels.

Under the Coast Guard option, vessels are inspected annually by Coast Guard inspectors. Towing vessel companies also have the option of hiring a third-party organization to validate compliance with federal regulations for maritime safety and environmental protection.

“We are very pleased to receive a Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection on the tug, Sommer S.,” said Steve Shaver, president of Shaver Transportation. “We believe it validates our company’s safety management system and our commitment to operating safe and reliable vessels on the Columbia River. We chose the Coast Guard option for certification of our vessels because it was the most efficient and effective option, given the nature of our operations on the Columbia River. Also, we enjoy a great relationship with the local Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit in Portland and feel their presence aboard our vessels enhances the safety of our vessels and crews.”

One of the Coast Guard’s main responsibilities is to ensure the safety of our waterways through inspection of towing vessels and full implementation of towing vessel safety regulations like Subchapter M.

“Coast Guard Marine Inspectors have been actively engaging with the towing vessel industry over the last two years to prepare for today’s implementation of the towing vessel regulations,” said Capt. Tom Griffitts, commanding officer Marine Safety Unit Portland. “Issuing the first ‘Coast Guard option’ COI is a major milestone for our inspectors and the Columbia River maritime community.”

 

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