U.S. Coast Guard Issues Subchapter M Third Party Organization (TPO) Guidance Letter

On August 11, 2017, the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard issued a Guidance Letter for Third Party Organizations (TPOs) which are or want to become Third Party Organizations for inspection of towing vessels to meet the requirements of 46 CFR Subchapter M. Towing vessel owners or operators may have vessels inspected under two regimes: (a) the Towing Safety Management System; or (b) under the Coast Guard Inspection Option. Under the former, surveys and audits are performed by a TPO which may be certain classification societies with limited oversight by the U.S. Coast Guard. Under the latter option, the U.S. Coast Guard conducts all inspections.The guidance letter may be found following this url:http://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/CG-5PC/CG-CVC/Policy%20Letters/2017/CVCPL1704.pdf?ver=2017-08-15-111323-820