The U.S. Coast Guard has published new guidance setting
forth its interpretation of when a vessel's keel is considered
laid and building progression standards to determine what may be
accepted in establishing the build date for a vessel. Shipyards and
prospective shipowners and operators should be cognizant of this
new guidance and its significant implications on the regulatory
requirements applicable to a vessel.
New Development
The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a Work Instruction providing
guidance on when a vessel's keel is considered to be laid or
the vessel is at a similar stage of construction. This guidance is
intended to address law and regulations that refer to when a vessel
is "new" or "existing," "built," or
"constructed." The Work Instruction, "Determinations
for a Vessel's Keel Laid Date or Similar Stage of
Construction," CVC-WI 015(1), was published on August 27,
2019, and is available here.
