ACP

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 contactLT 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 SocietiesAuthorizations and Memos of UnderstandingCurrent copy of U.S. SupplementsLinks to Reference and Publications Navigation and Inspection Circular (NVIC) 2-

95, “The Alternative Compliance Program”Contact information