Coast Guard issues first certificate of inspection to tugboat in Long Island Sound

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 1st District PA Detachment New York Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment New York Office: (212) 514-4291 After Hours: (917) 703-0983 PA Detachment New York online newsroom

Coast Guard issues first certificate of inspection to tugboat in Long Island Sound

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NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The Coast Guard issued the first certificate of inspection (COI) for a previously uninspected towing vessel under the Coast Guard Option for Subchapter M compliance Monday in Rocky Hill, Conn.

Capt. Kevin B. Reed, commander of Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound, presented the COI to Mr. James Redeker, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT), for the towing vessel Cumberland, making it the first towing vessel in the nation to become certified in this manner.  

A COI is issued to a vessel after the vessel has completed a thorough examination of safety equipment, machinery, pollution prevention equipment, navigation equipment, life-saving equipment and more. 

Approximately 6,000 towing vessels across the country will become inspected by the Coast Guard under these new requirements. Vessels will have two options, to be inspected under the traditional Coast Guard Marine Inspections program, or to enroll in a safety program with an authorized Third Party Organization (TPO).

"By upgrading the vessel to meet the requirements and receiving a COI, the Glastonbury-Rocky Hill Ferry and Connecituct DOT have demonstrated a substantial commitment to continuous improvement as well as public and operational safety," said Reed. "The Coast Guard has a long history of partnerships with local towing vessel companies, and issuing the first COI is a milestone for our inspectors and the Sector Long Island Sound community."

The Coast Guard published the final rule for the new regulations for the inspection of towing vessels, otherwise known as the 46 CFR Subchapter M regulations in June 2016. The Coast Guard and maritime industry have been working together to bring all applicable towing vessels into the compliance requirements listed in Subchapter M.

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