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ACP. Alternative compliance program. ACP Program Overview. The ACP is a voluntary alternate process for U.S. vessels to obtain a Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection (COI) by complying w/ the standards of an authorized class society.
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ACP Alternative compliance program
ACP Program Overview • The ACP is a voluntary alternate process for U.S. vessels to obtain a Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection (COI) by complying w/ the standards of an authorized class society. • Delegates certain statutory survey and certification functions for U.S. flagged vessels to certain Class Societies. • Class issued statutory certificates on behalf of USCG • Provides increased flexibility in the construction and operation of U.S. flag vessels, while maintaining equivalent levels of safety and environmental protection. • Reduces regulatory burden through elimination of unnecessarily duplicative regs & inspections
Regulatory Framework • The ACP relies on a regulatory framework that equates the United States’ Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) to a recognized classification society’s rules plus applicable international standards (such as SOLAS or MARPOL) plus a Supplement • The Supplement captures the difference that exists between class rules and international standards and the CFR • Each supplement is specific to each recognized class society because it is predicated upon a given class society’s rules.
Participating Class Societies: • American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) • Det Norske Veritas (DNV) • Lloyd’s Register (LR) • Germanischer Lloyd (GL)
Types of Vessels authorized for ACP • Passenger vessels • Cargo Vessels • Tank Vessels • Offshore Supply Vessels (OSV) • High Speed Craft • Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU)
Classification Society Roles • Develop and maintain a current U.S. Supplement • Coordinate “hand-over” surveys upon application for enrollment • Provide access to records for vessels enrolled in ACP. • Carry out surveys to assess compliance w/ class rules, U.S. Supplement and Int’l codes & conventions. • Plan review • Track vessel’s condition • Initiate timely action to correct known deficiencies • Make timely notifications to the USCG • Issue/maintain International Convention Certificates • Record USCG issued deficiencies as “Conditions of Class” as appropriate.
Int’l Certificates Issued by Class (as applicable): • International Load Line • International Tonnage • Cargo Ship Safety Construction • Cargo Ship Safety Equipment • Cargo Ship Safety Radio • Certificates of Fitness • MODU Safety Certificate • ISM Document of Compliance • ISM Safety Management • IOPP • IAPP
Required notifications to USCG: • Drydock • Clearing a USCG issued deficiency (CG-835) • Following evidence of crime, unreported vessel damage, major non-conformities • Extending of certificates *Note* Required ACP notifications in Europe, Africa and the Middle East should be referred to LT Chris Nichols at Activities Europe at acteurinspections@uscg.mil
USCG Roles and Responsibilities • Verify vessels are designed, built, equipped, maintained, and operated IAW all applicable international and domestic requirements • Maintain a Liaison w/ Class Societies • Complete annual examinations (similar in scope to Port State Control) • Periodically attend Drydock activities • Review New Construction/Major Conversion plans to determine ACP effectiveness • Conduct damage surveys & investigations following Marine Casualties • Notify Class Society following USCG discovery of deficiencies. • Deny and/or revoke certificates for non-compliance
Activities retained by the Coast Guard: • Dry-dock extensions • Enrollment into UWILD program • Waivers/exemptions • Changes of Employment • Marine Casualty Investigations • Alternate compliance with COLREGS • Approvals of Safety Equipment, materials and installation • ISSC • CSR • Excursion Permits • Permits to Proceed • Vessel Security Issues • All manning issues • Critical Area Inspection Plan (CAIP, a program used to track cracking on large oil tankers) • Ballast Water Management
Points of Contact *Note* - for ACP related issues in Europe, Africa or the Middle East please contact LT Chris Nichols at Christopher.M.Nichols@uscg.mil or acteurinspections@uscg.mil
References • ACP Homepage - http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/acp/ • List of Authorized Class Societies • Authorizations and Memos of Understanding • Current copy of U.S. Supplements • Links to Reference and Publications • Navigation and Inspection Circular (NVIC) 2-95, “The Alternative Compliance Program” • Contact information