Photo Available: Coast Guard issues first towing vessel inspection certificate for Lake Charles, La.

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 08/15/2018 05:43 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

 News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas
Contact: Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles
Office: (337) 491-7800
PA Detachment Texas online newsroom

Coast Guard issues first towing vessel inspection certificate for Lake Charles, La.

Coast Guard issues first towing vessel certificate for Lake Charles, La.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. — Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles issued the area’s first certificate of inspection for towing vessels to the Capt Al Devall, Wednesday, in Sulphur, Louisiana.

The certificate of inspection signifies that the Capt Al Devall is in compliance with the new towing vessel regulation standards that came into effect nationwide as of July 20, 2018. These regulations, commonly referred to as Subchapter M per their location in Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations, are the result of years of work between the Coast Guard and the towing industry. The new regulations encompass more stringent towing inspection, operational, and safety standards.

A vessel’s certificate of inspection is a document which describes the vessel, the route it may travel, safety requirements, number of people who may be onboard, and the names of owners and operators.

“Certificates of inspection will be issued to towing vessels in phases over the next four years to fully bring them into the towing vessel inspection cycle," said Lt. John Nolan, chief of inspections, Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles. "Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles personnel have been working with towing vessel operators to prepare them for the deadline and for certificate issuance.” 

Under Subchapter M, owners and operators maintain compliance by choosing a traditional Coast Guard inspection regime or employing a towing safety management system which uses third parties to conduct the required vessel inspections.

The Coast Guard and towing industry will continue working closely over the next four years to ensure all local towing vessels have the required certificates.

-USCG-