Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise (TVNCOE)

What We Can Do For You

• Gather, organize and provide statistical information.
• Foster dialog between the Coast Guard and industry - Events.
• Research towing vessel issues - FAQs.
• Help ensure high level of consistency through training and policy guidance - Courses.
• Train towing vessel examiners - Courses.
• Provide onsite assistance - Contact Us.

What's New

NEWThe 2011 TVNCOE Snapshot brochure has been posted on the "Handouts" page in the "Outreach" section.

NEWA new page has been added to the website called "Comments/Feedback." It is a form which allows customers to communicate directly with the TVNCOE. The form allows submissions to be made anonymously or contact information can be left if the submitter would like to be contacted by a TVNCOE representative.

An AIS Encoding Guide has been issued by the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center. The guide can be found on the “Links” page.

A FAQ has been posted regarding the difference between "USCG Approved" and "Listed by Independent Testing Laboratory" fire detection systems. The FAQ can be found under FAQs in the Fire Fighting, Protection & Suppression Equipment section.

The US Coast Guard has issued guidance for implementing the 2010 STCW amendments which includes hours of rest and security-related training. The amendments for rest hours include expanded crewmember applicability, an increase in weekly rest hours and record keeping. As appropriate, towing vessel companies that have vessels operating in foreign ports also need to ensure that the security training and documentation requirements for vessel personnel with designated security duties and security awareness are met. This guidance is effective immediately. The Notice of Policy as published in the Federal Register can be found in the policy letter section within Policy and Guidance.

There is a new policy letter about processing of Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) for mariners not requiring a Transportation Worker Indentification Credential (TWIC).The policy letter can be found in the policy letter section within Policy and Guidance.

Sector Upper Mississippi River has issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin about moving hazards aboard uninspected towing vesels.The MSIB can be found in the MSIB section within Policy and Guidance.

An Information Bulletin about tonnage interpretations for GMDSS application can be found in the Policy Letter section within Policy and Guidance.

RSS feed functionality has been added to this website. You can subscribe to the feed or view the latest changes to this website by clicking on the orange RSS button in the top right corner of this page.

A Safety Alert about the dangers of working around moving machinery can be found in the Safety Alert section within Policy and Guidance.