
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 211 (Thursday, November 2, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75300-75301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24235]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2021-0306]


Policy Letter for Covered Small Passenger Vessel Fire Safety 
Interim Rule Implementation

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the availability of Office of 
Commercial Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC) Policy Letter 23-03, titled `` 
`Covered Small Passenger Vessel' Fire Safety Interim Rule 
Implementation''. The policy letter describes how the U.S. Coast Guard 
plans to enforce multiple regulatory requirements found in the Fire 
Safety of Small Passenger Vessels interim rule, including means of 
escape requirements.

DATES: The policy letter announced in this notice was issued on October 
26, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Items mentioned as being available in the docket, including 
CG-CVC Policy Letter 23-03 and the interim rule, can be found on the 
Federal Decision-Making Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Search 
for docket number ``USCG-2021-0306''.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document 
call or email LCDR Jonathan Duffett, Office of Commercial Vessel 
Compliance (CG-CVC), telephone 202-372-1221, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The Coast Guard announces the availability of CG-CVC Policy Letter 
23-03. The new policy clarifies the Coast Guard's interpretation of 
several regulatory changes promulgated in the interim rule titled, Fire 
Safety of Small Passenger Vessels, published December 27, 2021 (86 FR 
73160).
    The interim rule implemented requirements mandated by the Elijah E. 
Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020, which amended title 46 
U.S. Code section 3306(n). Section 3306(n) directs the Secretary of 
Homeland Security to prescribe fire

[[Page 75301]]

safety regulations for ``covered small passenger vessels,'' defined as 
small passenger vessels with overnight accommodations for passengers or 
operating on an oceans or coastwise route, excluding fishing vessels 
and ferries. Topics in the new policy include means of escape, special 
consideration by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, and 
excursion permits.
    In particular, the interim rule eliminated the option for 
``existing vessels'' (as defined in 46 CFR subchapters K and T) to 
comply with the means of escape requirements applicable to them on 
March 10, 1996, bringing all covered small passenger vessels, 
regardless of age, up to current standards for means of escape design 
and arrangement. CG-CVC developed Policy Letter 23-03 in response to 
numerous inquiries requesting clarification on the correct application 
of the interim rule to the wide variety of small passenger vessel 
arrangements.
    A copy of CG-CVC Policy Letter 23-03 issued on October 26, 2023 is 
available in the docket where indicated in the ADDRESSES section of 
this document and on CG-CVC's website, at https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Prevention-Policy-CG-5P/Inspections-Compliance-CG-5PC-/Commercial-Vessel-Compliance/CG-CVC-Policy-Letters/.
    This notice is issued under authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 46 
U.S.C. 3306(n).

M. Neeland,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Commercial Vessel Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2023-24235 Filed 11-1-23; 8:45 am]
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