On September 10, 2013, the Coast Guard issued an Advance Notice
of Proposed Rule Making ("ANPRM") outlining its intent to
promulgate regulations that will require all domestic and
foreign-flag vessels engaged in Outer Continental Shelf
("OCS") activities to develop, implement, and maintain a
vessel-specific Safety and Environmental Management System
("SEMS"). This proposal would be in addition to the SEMS
requirements implemented under Bureau of Safety and Environmental
Enforcement ("BSEE") regulations by expressly requiring
SEMS for vessels engaged in OCS activities, and proposing a
vessel-specific safety standard based on the American Petroleum
Institute's Recommended Practice for Development of a
Safety and Environmental Management Program for Offshore Operations
and Facilities, Third Edition, May 2004 ("API RP
75"). Comments are due on December 9, 2013. (To view the
ANPRM, please visit www.gpo.gov/fdsys/
pkg/FR-2013-09-10/pdf/2013-21938.pdf.)
