Inspections

The Inspections Division is responsible for inspecting U.S. and foreign vessels, to determine compliance with applicable laws, regulations and Coast Guard Policy relating to safety, security, and environmental protection.

Additionally, this division oversees all regulated waterfront facilities involved in transferring cargo:  containerized freight (hazardous and non-hazardous material), bulk liquid transfer facilities, designated waterfront facilities, facilities of particular hazard and passenger terminals.

The Inspection Division has four major branches and a Marine Safety Detachment in West Palm Beach, Florida. The branches are:

• Facilities and Containers Branch: Container inspections (involved in shipments of hazardous and non-hazardous packaged cargo) and waterfront facility inspections (safety and security).
• Port State Control (PSC): Responsible for conducting PSC examinations on foreign passenger, tank and freight vessels. PSC is also responsible for coordinating vessel arrival notices and prioritizes all foreign vessel boarding. The arrivals desk processes approximately 10,000 vessel arrivals annually.
  
• Uninspected Vessel Branch: Responsible for implementing the voluntary inspection program for uninspected commercial fishing vessels. This branch also conducts voluntary exams on uninspected towing & passenger (6 pax) vessels. In addition, this branch follows up on all commercial vessel owners request for examinations which resulted from deficiencies noted during a Coast Guard 4100 boarding at sea.
  
• U.S. Flag Vessels: Responsible for conducting inspections and examinations on all U.S. flagged passenger, tank and freight vessels within Sector Miami's AOR to ensure they are in compliance with the applicable United States Laws and regulations. U.S. Flag Vessels manages both the Alternate Compliance Program (ACP) and Streamlined Inspection Program (SIP).

Required Reading

• Mandatory requirements for reportable marine casualties - MSIB 10-016
• Safety Advisory - Recommendations for Recreational Diving Operations Occurring from Commercial Passenger Vessels
• Diving Vessel Marine Safety Information Bulletin - MSIB 11-009

Useful Links

• Regional Examination Center - Licensing Information

Back to Prevention Department

		U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami 100 MacArthur Causeway Miami, Florida 33139	Voice:(305) 535-8732 Fax: (305) 535-8740     or (305) 535-8742