Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 3216 JUNE 2016 • FOGHORN REGULATORYREPORT gplink.com Put Your Fleet at Your Fingertips gplink_halfpage.indd 1 1/14/2015 3:37:02 PM vessels and MSOs became Sectors. Sectors are commands that combine all Coast Guard authorities in a single commanding officer so OCMI is but one of five or six broad authorities. Small passenger vessel plan approval became an MSC function. We now find ourselves with an or- ganization that is likely to move the decision-making out of drydock and off the waterfront by requiring written proposals for ordinary, or even typical, repair or replacement. These plans are then the medium where others beyond the vessel crew and marine inspector interface make decisions. A written plan also facilitates com- munication with or referral to MSC. There are times when MSC responses become final when they might be best used as advisory because the role of the OCMI is not fully understood or it is more convenient to point to others in difficult situations. The operator can be faced with the cost of preparing plans, delay and potential removal from the decision process. Not the best of options. The mission of safety of life and property is the same as from the beginning, but the delivery system has evolved sometimes intentionally other times driven by expediency or public priority. So much of industry and particu- larly the small passenger fleet has been far removed from the time, con- venience, and clear relationship of when plan approval was an unques- tioned part of the OCMI’s command authority and responsibility We can’t do without the MSC par- ticularly in these times of rapid tech- nological advancement, new missions, more ad hoc policies and ever more regulation, but it should be a rare occasion that involves them in routine inspection activity. There is not much the boat owner with a vessel in drydock, or at the time of inspection can do to control internal Coast Guard processes other than be aware that some decisions will seem to take the long way around. PVAstaff, on the other hand, can and will try to help a member influence the process if informed by the member and if deemed appropriate to do so. On a broader basis, we have the Quality Partnership with the Coast Guard and its purpose to address items of mutual concern. We have used this forum to develop mutually support- ive, non-regulatory solutions to many inspection and policy issues and will continue to do so. n