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USCG Releases Guidance for Harbor Safety Committees (HSC)

From CIV Noel T Jones, USCG


RADM Wayne Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, has signed out a new Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC; attached) to provide guidance to public and private stakeholders participating in local Harbor Safety Committees (HSCs) in order to improve and enhance local coordination of Marine Transportation System issues.

 

NVIC 01-25 updates prior USCG guidance (NVIC 01-00, released in April 2000) and is intended to encourage existing HSCs to review their current state and consider whether opportunities exist to update or revise HSC practices to improve local coordination. NVIC 01-25 captures characteristics of the nation’s most mature and effective HSCs, which are recommended for adoption nationwide as standard business practices, and seeks to inspire the development of HSCs where they do not currently exist. Because the Coast Guard has touch points with HSCs nationwide, it is in the best position to roll up this kind information and is thus providing this guidance as a service; it is meant to be supportive of both the local maritime community as well as USCG units.   

 

There are 49 HSCs currently operating across the nation (captured in Enclosure 2 of the NVIC), and there is a great diversity of experience within those groups.  For example, some have just formed in the last year or are in the process of forming, and others have been operating for 20+ years.  Some HSCs meet only to share information, and others document decisions and produce written voluntary guidance documents.  Drafting a document that speaks to everyone was a challenge.  We hope you can all find something useful within the information that can help you to improve your HSC, and respectfully request you make this NVIC available to all your members to review and consider

 

In several places, NVIC 25-01 reminds the reader the USCG understands each HSC is unique and will adopt the things that make sense for their local community. The USCG is not directing specific action through this guidance document; we are encouraging and enabling excellence based on what USCG has seen works best from its vantage point. This document was informed through interviews and discussions with numerous HSC members around the nation, as well as discussions held during the preparation for and execution of the 2024 National Harbor Safety Committee Conference.  Thanks to the many of you who contributed your time to this effort over the last year+, helping me to understand different facets from many different perspectives. 

 

RADM Arguin also signed out a companion Commandant Instruction, which provides related direction to USCG members.  That instruction is available here.

 

We hope this guidance is of use to you and welcome any feedback you have.



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