Mariners' Advisory Committee
for the Bay & River Delaware
www.MacDelRiv.org
   
Posted   03-02-2020 09:12    
USCG MSIB 05-20

Reporting Requirements for Vessels with Inoperable Navigation Equipment

U. S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay has noted an increase in the number of vessels failing to report inoperable navigation equipment prior to transiting through the Delaware Bay Captain of the Port (COTP) zone. As a reminder, all self-propelled vessels of 1600 or more gross tons when operating in the navigable waters of the United States are required to report inoperable navigation equipment as required by Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 164.

Non-operating equipment must be reported to each COTP zone which a vessel will transit through. For example, vessels transiting to and from Baltimore utilizing the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and passing through the Delaware Bay enroute to and from sea are required to report inoperable equipment to Sector Delaware Bay. A vessel is required to make this report regardless if they call upon a port or anchorage within the Delaware Bay or River. On a case-by-case basis, the COTP may impose restrictions (commonly known as a Letter of Deviation) on the vessel with inoperable equipment to ensure the safety of the port and vessel.

Submission of an Advanced Notice of Arrival (ANOA) does not meet the reporting requirement for inoperable equipment. Vessels are required per 33 CFR 164.53 to report inoperable navigation equipment including radar, radio navigation receivers, gyrocompass, echo depth sounding device, AIS, Electronic Position Fixing Device, ARPA, and primary steering gear.

If you have any questions regarding the contents of this bulletin or to submit a request, please contact the Sector Delaware Bay Port State Control Division at (215) 271-4887 or SecDelBay.PortState@uscg.mil.




S. E. Anderson
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Captain of the Port
Sector Delaware Bay
View Attachment 1 (.PDF)