UPV Examiner Program Uninspected Passenger Vessel You are about to be trained so you will understand the USCG Program of UPV Examinations. UPV Examiners are a select group of Vessel Examiners that have become qualified to issue a USCG examination decal to vessels run by knowledgeable professional USCG licensed operators. The examiner s knowledge and actions reflect on the USCG as well as on the Auxiliary. The program is as much a check of compliance to regulations as it is an educational opportunity 1
Safety Examination & Inspection Program Decals
You are a Vessel Examiner, what can you do to help! a) Educate any vessel owner that has a USCG license aboutsome of the additionalregulations that apply to charter boats b) Become a UPV Examiner and help the charter boat tindustry come into compliance with regulatory and safety requirements.
How is a charter boat different from a recreational vessel? Recreational vessels you already know what is necessary for them to be awarded a VSC decal. There are items required by federal law as well as additional items the Aux feels is necessary for safety. Charter boats have lot more federal requirements, and if they are not followed, it can become expensive. Fines could be up to $5,500 or $10,000 per day.
How is a charter boat different from a recreational vessel? Notice to ALL VEs from Natl. RBS Dept.
Excerpt from National V Department RBS ALERT NOTICE 12 Jun 2012
How is a charter boat different from a recreational vessel? How would you feel if you were a boat owner, and you were awarded a VSC decal, and the following day you get a violation for items you didn t know you needed? It s even worse if the operator had mentioned to the VE he was going to charter and the VE didn t inform him that there are additional regulations if he was to charter. The VE needs to point him to a source of information for charter boats!
VSC mandatory items VESSEL SAFETY CHECK DECAL REQUIREMENTS 1. Display of Numbers 2. Registration/Documentation 3. Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) 4. Visual Distress Signals (VDS) 5. Fire Extinguishers 6. Ventilation 7. Backfire Flame Control 8. Sound Producing Devices: Whistle & Bell (new Inland Rules about Bell req.)
VSC mandatory items VESSEL SAFETY CHECK DECAL REQUIREMENTS 9. Navigation Lights 10. Pollution Placard 11. MARPOL Trash Placard 12. Marine Sanitation Devices 13. Navigation Rules 14. State and/or Local Requirements
VSC mandatory items VESSEL SAFETY CHECK DECAL REQUIREMENTS 15. Overall Vessel Condition: a. Deck Free of Hazards / Clean Bilge b. Electrical Fuel Systems c. Galley Heating Systems
Lets look at some of the additional/different regulations for UPVs A UPV is not a recreational vessel, It is a Commercial vessel It is a USCG Program under the USCG Inspections Division, where the USCG, not the Aux, certifies the examiners. We check only for Federal Requirements delineated in the eappropriate ate CFRs. It is similar to the CFV Exam Program
Lets look at some of the additional/different regulations for UPVs NUMBERING Vessel Not documented: State Numbers & validation sticker displayed Vessel must be Documented if greater than 5 net tons ( about 25 ft.) ~ documented d for coastwise trade. Documented vessels: vessel name on port & starboard bow, minimum 4" lettering.
Lets Lets look look at some at some of additional of the additional/different regulations regulations for UPVs for UPVs Operator must have a USCG license and it must be aboard the vessel. Operator is licensed for waters navigated. Throwable must say on it ALL VESSELS. PFD must be TYPE I (offshore) and have retro reflective tape & a water light. Type II Fire extinguishers must be mounted in a special bracket. Only the Positive Battery terminals must be protected or covered
Lets Lets look look at some at some of additional of the additional/different regulations regulations for UPVs for UPVs Gll Galley & Heating systems LPG can only be used for cooking. Very special requirements for installation of LPG container, installation of gas lines, shut offs & pressure gauge.
Lets Lets look look at some at some of additional of the additional/different regulations regulations for UPVs for UPVs If over 65 ft must have radio & a station license & a restricted operators permit. If EPIRB is aboard, it MUST have a current registration. Captain & Crew MUST be enrolled in a random Drug Testing Program. Captain & Crew MUST have had a Pre Employment drug test. Captain & Crew MUST have attended d an Employer Assistance Program presentation.
Lets Lets look look at some at some of additional of the additional/different regulations regulations for UPVs for UPVs The employer must have a Company Drug & Alcohol Policy in place. Captain & Crew MUST have a drug & alcohol background test done within 30 days of employment. In the event of a Serious Marine Incident, Captain & Crew MUST be alcohol tested within 2 hours and Drug Tested within 32 hours.
Lets Serious look at Marine some of Incident additional additional regulations regulations for UPVs for UPVs Definition of incident requiring testing: An SMI is defined in 46 CFR 4.03 2. In general, an SMI is: A discharge of 10,000 gallons or more of oil into the navigable waters of the United States, or damage to property in excess of $100,000; 000; actual or constructive total loss of any inspected vessel; or actual or constructive ti total t lloss of any uninspected, self propelled vessel of 100 gross tons or more.
Lets Lets Serious look look at Marine some at some of Incident additional of the additional/different regulations regulations regulations for UPVs for UPVs for UPVs A marine casualty or accident required to be reported to the Coast Guard, involving a vessel in commercial service, and resulting in any of the following: a) One or more deaths; b) An injury to any person (including passengers) which requires professional medical treatment beyond first aid, and, in the case of a person employed on board a commercial vessel, which renders the person unable to perform routine vessel duties
Lets Lets look look at some at some of additional of the additional/different regulations regulations for UPVs for UPVs Employer Assistance Program. (EAP) Employee training: Employer must provide education with display and distribution of informational materials and a community service hot line telephone number. Distribution to each employee of the employer s policy regarding the use of drugs and alcohol is mandatory. Training must include the effects of drugs and alcohol on personal heath, safety, and work environment; and manifestations and behavioral cues that may indicate drug and alcohol use and abuse.
Lets Lets look look at some at some of additional of the additional/different regulations regulations for UPVs for UPVs Employer Assistance Program. (EAP) Supervisor training: One hour of training is required on the effects of drugs and alcohol on personal heath, safety, and work environment; and manifestations and behavioral cues that may indicate drug and alcohol use and abuse. Reportable employee drug and alcohol violations: Results of allpost SMI tests and positive drug test results for all mariners who hold a license, certificate of registry or merchant mariner's document must be reported to the nearest Coast Guard Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
Lets Lets look look at some at some of additional of the additional/different regulations regulations for UPVs for UPVs There must be an Emergency Check Off Sheet posted or shown to passengers aboard. The Captain must give the passengers a Safety Orientation Announcement prior to or right after getting gunderway. It must contain the location of all safety equipment aboard the vessel. There must be a sheet containing donning instructions for the appropriate PFDs aboard.
Lets Lets look look at some at some of additional of the additional/different regulations regulations for UPVs for UPVs There MUST be up to date paper charts of the area of operation. There must be a current copy of the Coast Pilot. There must be a current Light List aboard. The must be the latest Local Notice to Mariners aboard. Head counts of passengers & crew aboard must be kept ashore or aboard.
So what happens from here? At the least, spread the word to other vessel examiners and to the boating public. Educate people p that have a USCG license or who mention a desire to charter their boat about the unique safety regulations relative to chart boats. You can become a UPV Examiner
How do you become a UPV Examiner? You need to. Attend at least three 2 hour WebEx presentations. Most UPV examiners attend these as refresher Tng. Do at least 3 UPV exams under a qualified UPV examiner. Complete the PQS Booklet. Do at least 1 exam under an ADSO/UPV or the DSO/UPV where you are the lead examiner. Do an Oral Board to demonstrate your knowledge.
The USCG D1 needs you! In CA, 70% of the charter boats have been issued the UPV Decal Please join us to provide this safety service to the charter boat industry
For more information Go to www.northstarflotilla.com and click on UPV Program. Email: UPV@NorthStarFlotilla.com The USCG is asking for your help in the new UPV program in the First USCG District i t