Washington Waves: Waterway News

A shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) headed toward its second week, minus the urgency that might be expected for the Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other key components of the huge agency.

With members of Congress out of town for the first week of the shutdown and the White House focused on other issues, even the traditional finger pointing seemed to be muted.

Lawmakers are scheduled to return to the Capitol on Monday, February 23.

According to information released by DHS components, impacts of the current shutdown appear to be tracking those felt by the two recent lapses in funding.

The National Maritime Center (NMC) announced it has been shut down along with all Regional Examination Centers (RECs).

NMC said its Customer Service Center will remain open and can be contacted via the chat line, by emailing IASKNMC@uscg.mil or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

The Application Submission Portal (ASAP) also will remain active for submission of applications and supporting documentation with processing to resume once appropriations are restored, the NMC added.

For the Coast Guard, DHS listed several possible issues with the lapse in funding, such as the service not being able to issue credentials for merchant mariners and commercial vessels and delays in granting security clearances for civilians and contractors.

FEMA operations also could be impacted, and news reports indicated restrictions have been placed on the agency’s disaster deployments because of the shutdown.

Coast Guard Reviews

The Coast Guard announced it will no longer require plan review for certain microprocessor-based control systems on small passenger vessels.

“As controls technology has matured, an industry-standard approach has emerged that ensures that loss of power to the control system will not result in an increase in shaft speed or propeller pitch,” the service noted. “The Marine Safety Center (MSC) has identified that plans submitted for common, simple systems have become redundant descriptions of how the equipment functions ‘out of the box,’ making their preparation and submission an unnecessary burden on industry.”

The Coast Guard also announced the cancellation of the Commercial Vessel Compliance (CVC) Policy Letter 17-07 that was originally promulgated to establish standardized plan review requirements for all small passenger vessels using microprocessor-based control systems.

However, vessels certificated under Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Subchapter K (“K boats”), must still comply with the existing requirements of 46 CFR 121.620(d), and vessels certificated under 46 CFR Subchapter T (“T boats”) that use steam, all-electric or “unusual” propulsion must still comply with the requirements of 46 CFR 182.220 and may be required to submit plans for approval.

“This action reduces the overall cost of compliance for the U.S. small passenger vessel fleet and improves MSC’s ability to provide timely service delivery,” the Coast Guard said.

Additional questions can be directed to msc@uscg.mil.

Line Of Demarcation

The Coast Guard issued a Request for Information seeking input from the public on a proposed change to the demarcation line in New York Harbor and specifically encouraged comments on relocating the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) Demarcation Line, Atlantic Coast, New York Harbor.

“We request public input to help in assessing the current state of navigation safety and regulation in the New York Harbor area and associated waterways which make up the approaches,” the service said. “This information will support our understanding of the diverse array of waterways users and who this change may affect.”

The Coast Guard specifically encouraged comments on whether it should make a change and how an earlier or later change in the demarcation line impacts vessel operations and transit.

Comments must be received by May 19 and may be submitted under Docket No.USCG-2025-0101 at www.regulations.gov.

For additional information, contact Lt. Cmdr. John Nolan at 202-372-1566 or cgnav@uscg.mil.

CISA Town Hall

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) scheduled a virtual town hall meeting for the maritime transportation system and other components of the nation’s transportation systems sector to allow external stakeholders an additional opportunity to provide input on the proposed rulemaking on the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (CIRCIA).

Scheduled on March 18, the session is expected to take two hours and include stakeholders of the communications and financial services sectors.

CISA also has scheduled sessions for other sectors of the economy and has plans to hold two general sessions virtually on March 31 and April 2.

Specific start and end times for the sessions as well as updates and changes are to be posted on www.cisa.gov/circia.

Registration is required to attend each town hall meeting via www.cisa.gov/circia by 5 p.m. Eastern two business days before the meeting. Documents and comments can be viewed at www.regulations.gov under Docket No. CISA-2022-0010. For additional information, contact Nichole Clagett at 202-815-4427 or circia@cisa.dhs.gov.

Great Lakes Pilotage Rates

The Coast Guard issued new base Great Lakes pilotage rates for the 2026 shipping season and estimated this final rule will result in an approximately 6 percent decrease in operating costs compared to the 2025 season while facilitating commerce and supply chains.

One change was made to the ratemaking methodology by removing Step 5 regarding the working capital fund.

The final rule takes effect March 19. Documents can be viewed at www.regulations.gov under Docket No.USCG-2025-0252. For additional information, contact Brian Rogers at 571-608-8418 or Brian.Rogers@uscg.mil.

Proposed New Anchorages

The Coast Guard is accepting comments on its proposal to establish two new fairway anchorages adjacent to existing safety fairway approaches to Sabine Bank and Sabine Pass, Texas.

According to the service, the two additional fairway anchorages would be in deeper water than the existing anchorages along the Sabine Pass fairway to accommodate vessels, primarily petroleum tankers, with deeper drafts.

The proposal would enhance the efficient transportation of energy resources, advance national energy dominance, improve navigation safety and contribute to economic growth and national energy security, the Coast Guard added.

Comments and related material must be received by May 18 and may be submitted via www.regulations.gov under Docket No. USCG-2024-0893. For additional information, contact Timothy Spence at 571-608-1962 or Timothy.A.Spence@uscg.mil.