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New Proposed Rule for Towing Vessel Safety

After the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004 was passed, the Coast Guard held public meetings to address safety rules for towing vessels. The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004 added towing vessels to the list of ships that were subject to safety inspections. Now, seven years later, the Coast Guard has issued a proposed rule to address towing vessel inspections. *

What May Be Required of Towing Vessels

The rule would apply to an estimated 5,208 towing vessels owned by more than 1,000 different companies. Any towing vessel that does not meet an exception to the rule, would be required to have an annual safety inspection conducted either by a towing safety management system or the Coast Guard. The owner or managing operator of the vessel would be required to implement safety management practices "for both shoreside management and vessel operations."

Some Vessels May Be Exempt

The Coast Guard currently intends to exempt:
  • Towing vessels that are shorter than 26 feet, unless the vessel is towing an oil barge carrying oil or another dangerous substance.
  • Vessels that are not engaged in commercial towing but occasionally move a piece of equipment within a work site (e.g. dredging or construction boats).
  • Towing vessels performing assistance towing.

However, the Coast Guard makes clear that it may issue safety inspection regulations for these vessels at a later time.

Contact a New York Jones Act Attorney if You've Been Injured

Even before this rule goes into effect, towing vessel owners and operators have a responsibility to provide a safe work environment for towing vessel workers. If you've been hurt in a towing vessel accident, or if you've lost a loved one in a towing vessel accident, then you may be entitled to damages. Please contact an experienced New York Jones Act lawyer today at 1-800-3-MAY-DAY for more information and for a free and confidential consultation.

*Source: Occupational Health and Safety, Coast Guard Setting Safety Rules for Towing Vessels, August 13, 2011

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