Marine Exchange of Alaska

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• Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Reference Guide

Regulations Home > Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Reference Guide Links > Fish Processing Vessels

Fish Processing Vessels

• Certificate of Compliance
• Certificate of Class
• Dispensing Petroleum Products
• Vessel Response Plans (VRP)

Certificate of Compliance

46 CFR 28.700

Applies to: Fish processing vessels of 5000 gross tons or less not having a Certificate of Inspection issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Requirements:

1. Once in every two years, each fish processing vessel must be examined for compliance with the regulations by:
   1. American Bureau of Shipping (ABS),
   2. A similarly qualified organization, or
   3. A surveyor of an accepted organization.
2. Certificate of Compliance (COC) must be issued by the examiner to the vessel operator.
3. Each certificate of compliance must:
   1. Be signed by the issuing examiner,
   2. Include the name of the organization the examiner represents,
   3. State that the vessel has been found in compliance with applicable regulations,
   4. Be retained on board the vessel.

Note: A Fishing Safety Decal does not take the place of the Certificate of Compliance.

Contact your local MSO fishing vessel safety coordinator for an up-to-date list of similarly qualified and accepted organizations.

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Certificate of Class

46 CFR 28.720

Applies to:

Fish processing vessels:

• without a Certificate of Inspection issued by the Coast Guard,
• built after or has undergone a major conversion after 27 July 1990.

Requirements:

1. Each vessel must be classed by either:
   1. American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), or
   2. A similarly qualified organization.
2. Classed Vessels must:
   1. Have on board a certificate of class issued by the organization that classed the vessel, and
   2. Meet all survey and classification requirements prescribed by the organization that classed the vessel.

Contact your local MSO fishing vessel safety coordinator for an up-to-date list of similarly qualified and accepted organizations.

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Dispensing Petroleum Products

46 CFR 105

Applies to: All fish processing vessels of not more than 5000 GT which engage in dispensing petroleum products, Grades B and lower flammable or combustible liquids, to other vessels. Dispensing of Grade A liquids is not allowed.

Requirements:

Fish processing vessels which dispense petroleum product to other vessels must have a valid Letter of Compliance issued by the Coast Guard, i.e., an Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection. (The MSO conducting the inspection for the issuance of the letter will ensure the vessels meets the applicable regulations.)

Acceptability:

1. The vessel has a valid Letter of Compliance.
2. The Letter of Compliance is posted under glass or other suitable transparent material and posted in a conspicuous place protected from the weather.

If you have questions regarding this topic contact MSO Puget Sound or MSO Anchorage.

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Vessel Response Plans (VRP)

33 CFR 155, Subpart D

Applies to:

All fish processing vessels of 5000 GT or less that carry oil in bulk as cargo or cargo residue must have a Coast Guard approve Vessel Response Plan.

Acceptability:

The VRP has a cover letter stamped approved by the Coast Guard.

If you have questions, contact your local MSO.

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