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FOREWORD
This manual sets forth minimum acceptable requirements for the safety and occupational health
of all individuals (crew, scientific staff and passengers) who embark on U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) vessels of any size. EPA vessels currently range in size from the
Ocean Survey Vessel Bold (224 feet) and Great Lakes Research Vessel Lake Guardian (180
feet), down to 14-foot aluminum skiffs powered by small outboard engines, canoes and
inflatables. Accordingly, this manual addresses the entire spectrum of EPA vessel sizes, powered
and unpowered. EPA vessels may be operated under contract or charter, by professionally
qualified EPA crew, or, in the case of small craft, by EPA scientific staff on an intermittent basis.
To achieve the EPA goal of minimizing risk to anyone who embarks on an EPA vessel, all
concerned shall read and understand the requirements of this manual.
EPA vessels are public vessels of the United States. It is EPAs intent to maintain compliance
with those existing standards and codes of marine safety (which appear in Title 46 of the Code of
Federal Regulations) deemed necessary to achieve the EPA risk management objective. To that
end, this manual sets forth the minimum requirements that must be met to attain EPAs marine
health and safety objectives.
All aspects of good marine practice cannot be set forth in statutes, regulations or standards.
Accordingly, the absence of a written requirement for a specific issue should not be interpreted
as meaning that the issue has a lower importance or priority. Vessel captains/masters and
operators of small craft should emphasize to all personnel that health and safety are considered to
be paramount at all times onboard EPA vessels.
EPA Class C vessels contractor crews are subject to the Safety of Life at Sea International
Safety Management Code. This manual provides the top-tier policy for implementing this code
requirement.
In addition to safety requirements, this manual also includes general security requirements for all
EPA vessels.
The EPA's Safety, Health and Environmental Management Division welcomes any suggestions
for improving this manual. Please contact us at [email protected] to provide
your feedback.
Revision dated April 2012 i
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................... 1-1
1.1 Scope and Policy .............................................................................................. 1-1
1.2 Background and Authority ............................................................................... 1-1
1.3 Program Applicability...................................................................................... 1-1
1.4 EPA Auditing and Self-Assessment Programs.................................................. 1-2
1.5 Environmental Management System (EMS) and Stewardship .......................... 1-2
1.6 Principles of a Safety and Health Management System (SHMS) ...................... 1-3
1.7 Changes ........................................................................................................... 1-3
2. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION............................................................................... 2-1
2.1 Goals and Objectives ....................................................................................... 2-1
2.2 Roles and Responsibilities................................................................................ 2-1
3. CLASSES OF EPA VESSELS .................................................................................... 3-1
3.1 Background ...................................................................................................... 3-1
3.2 Vessel Classifications....................................................................................... 3-1
3.3 Vessel Types.................................................................................................... 3-5
4. LAWS AND REGULATIONS.................................................................................... 4-1
4.1 Involved Organizations .................................................................................... 4-1
5. MANNING ................................................................................................................. 5-1
5.1 Background ...................................................................................................... 5-1
5.2 Licensed Personnel .......................................................................................... 5-1
5.3 Makeup of Crew .............................................................................................. 5-1
5.4 Scientific Personnel Limitations All EPA Class Vessels ................................ 5-2
5.5 Captain/Master of the Vessel............................................................................ 5-3
5.6 Chief Scientist.................................................................................................. 5-3
5.7 Vessel Organization Class C Vessels............................................................. 5-3
6. GENERAL MARINE ENGINEERING AND ONBOARD SAFETY
REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................... 6-1
6.1 Background ...................................................................................................... 6-1
6.2 Standards ......................................................................................................... 6-1
6.3 Marine Engineering Details.............................................................................. 6-2
6.4 Exhaust Uptake and Vent Control .................................................................... 6-2
6.5 Electrical Engineering Details .......................................................................... 6-3
6.6 Structural Standards and Alterations................................................................. 6-3
6.7 Stability ........................................................................................................... 6-4
6.8 Ground Tackle ................................................................................................. 6-5
6.9 Inspection ........................................................................................................ 6-5
6.10 Oxygen and Acetylene Cylinders ..................................................................... 6-5
6.11 Scientific Equipment ........................................................................................ 6-7
6.12 Watertight Integrity.......................................................................................... 6-8
Revision dated April 2012 ii
6.13 Onboard Safety Requirements........................................................................ 6-10
7. FIRE PROTECTION................................................................................................... 7-1
7.1 Applicability .................................................................................................... 7-1
7.2 Responsibilities................................................................................................ 7-1
7.3 Firefighting Responsibilities ............................................................................ 7-1
7.4 Fire Control Plans ............................................................................................ 7-7
7.5 Quality Controls............................................................................................... 7-7
7.6 General Fire Prevention Training ................................................................... 7-10
7.7 Marking of Fire Protection Equipment ........................................................... 7-11
7.8 Control of Ignition Sources and Combustible Materials.................................. 7-12
7.9 Life Safety Considerations ............................................................................. 7-17
7.10 Structural Fire Protection ............................................................................... 7-18
7.11 Fire-Extinguishing Systems............................................................................ 7-19
7.12 Precautions for Flooded Space Fire Suppression Systems............................... 7-22
7.13 Fire Detection and Alarm Systems ................................................................. 7-23
8. MEDICAL AND FIRST AID...................................................................................... 8-1
8.1 Purpose ............................................................................................................ 8-1
8.2 Specific Requirements ..................................................................................... 8-1
9. LIFESAVING AND SAFETY, COMMUNICATIONS AND POLLUTION
CONTROL EQUIPMENT........................................................................................... 9-1
9.1 Life Saving and Safety Equipment ................................................................... 9-1
9.2 Communications Equipment .......................................................................... 9-14
9.3 Pollution Control Equipment.........................................................
