USCG COI Inspection

Vessel operations which will operate tours in waterways that are under United States Coast Guard (USCG) jurisdiction will need to obtain a Certificate of Inspection from your USCG sector prior to commencing with commercial operations

Summary of COI Inspection Process

The Coast Guard processes for a COI'ed (Certificate of Inspection) boat are as follows:

1. Application: The owner or operator of the vessel submits an application to the Coast Guard for a COI, providing all necessary documentation, including proof of ownership, vessel specifications, and safety equipment inventory.

2. Inspection: A Coast Guard marine inspector conducts a comprehensive inspection of the vessel, including a review of its construction, stability, machinery, and safety equipment. The inspector also examines the vessel's documentation to ensure compliance with federal regulations.

3. Evaluation: Based on the results of the inspection, the Coast Guard evaluates whether the vessel meets the requirements for a COI. If deficiencies are identified, the owner or operator is given an opportunity to correct them before the COI is issued.

4. Issuance: If the vessel meets all the requirements, the Coast Guard issues a COI, which indicates that the vessel is in compliance with federal safety regulations and is authorized to carry passengers for hire. The COI will specify the number of passengers and the operating area in which the vessel is authorized to operate.

5. Renewal: COIs are valid for one year. Before the expiration of the COI, the owner or operator must submit a renewal application and undergo another inspection to ensure that the vessel continues to meet the requirements.  They will not remind you when it is time to renew. You must ensure all COI fees are paid prior to the renewal, and sometimes operators do not receive a bill.  We recommend setting up an account with Pay.gov to ensure all your USCG fees are up to date.

Paying for Fees using Pay.gov 

1. Visit the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) website at www.uscg.mil/nvdc.

2. Select "Inspections and Compliance" from the menu options at the top of the page.

3. On the Inspections and Compliance page, find the link to "Pay for Inspection Fees and Other Services Using Pay.gov."

4. Click on the link to Pay.gov, which will take you to the payment portal for the Coast Guard.

5. Enter the required information, including the type of service you are paying for (such as "COI Inspection"), the amount due, and your payment information (such as credit card or bank account details).

6. Review your information and click "Submit" to complete the payment process.

7. After completing the payment, print a copy of your receipt and keep it for your records.

8. Contact the Coast Guard office responsible for conducting the inspection to provide them with a copy of your receipt as proof of payment.

9. It's worth noting that some Coast Guard offices may have different payment processes or may not accept online payments, so it's important to check with the specific office in advance to ensure that you have the correct information and payment options

It's important to note that vessels operating with a COI are subject to periodic inspections and may be required to undergo additional inspections if there are any changes to the vessel's specifications or operating conditions. Failure to comply with the requirements of the COI can result in penalties, fines, or revocation of the COI, which would prohibit the vessel from carrying passengers for hire.

Prior the receiving the vessel, you will need to contact your local USCG office and ask to speak with inspections.  Inform them of the name of your vessel, your marina and the details of your vessel and let them know you need a “New To Zone” inspection.  They will email you a form 3752 “Application for Inspection of a U.S. Vessel.”  Below is an example of a completed form for your reference:

After sending the local inspector your application, you will receive a date and time for your COI inspection.  It is important to ensure one of your master captains will be available for inspection.  Some sectors may also want to do a “dry dock” inspection after shipping to ensure there has not been damage done to the hull during shipping.  Make sure you ask whether a dry dock inspection will be needed, so you coordinate as a part of the shipping process.  Typically a dry dock inspection can be arranged on the trailer as a part of launching the vessel.

During the inspection the inspector will check for the required safety equipment, logs, stickers and placards are present on the boat under the rules of Subchapter T.  They will also ensure that the critical system of the boat is in working condition.  They may check things like fuses, electrical connections and fuel lines.  The master captain will need to take the vessel underway for a “man overboard drill” as well.  You will need to have a staff member or yourself present to serve as the first mate in this drill.

A man overboard drill is an essential safety procedure that is typically performed during a United States Coast Guard (USCG) inspection to ensure that the vessel and its crew are prepared in case of an emergency. During a USCG COI (Certificate of Inspection) inspection, the crew will be required to demonstrate their ability to respond quickly and effectively to a man overboard situation.

The drill usually begins with a crew member simulating a man overboard by throwing a flotation device or a dummy overboard. Once the person or object is in the water, the crew will immediately initiate their man overboard procedures.

The first step is to sound the alarm to alert the rest of the crew that a person has fallen overboard. The crew will then need to pinpoint the location of the man overboard and keep a constant watch on the person in the water. The vessel's speed will be reduced, and the engines may be put into neutral to maintain the position of the boat.

The crew will then deploy the appropriate lifesaving equipment, such as a life ring or a buoy, to assist the person in the water. If the vessel has a man overboard recovery system, such as a lifeboat or a rescue net, this will also be deployed to recover the person from the water. The crew will then proceed to recover the person from the water and provide any necessary medical attention.

During a USCG COI inspection, the inspectors will be looking for the crew's ability to respond quickly and effectively to a man overboard situation. They will be looking for proper communication, use of appropriate lifesaving equipment, and adherence to established procedures. The inspectors will also be looking for evidence that the crew has been adequately trained in man overboard procedures and that the procedures are regularly practiced to maintain proficiency.

Here is a general checklist of items that are typically needed for the COI inspection (please note this is just a guideline and is not definitive):

SAFETY EQUIPMENT 

• 26 Adult PFDs.  Name of vessel on each. (if you have a smaller COIed, the number of adult PFDs should represent the total passengers plus crew allowed on the vessel)

• 3 Child PFDs. Name of vessel on each.

• Three mounted Fire Extinguishers

• Laminated PFD Donning Instructions (posted)

• Mounted Life Ring.  Life ring must have the name of vessel and port of call on it.

• Mounted beacon inside of Life Ring.

• Three Fire buckets. Rope lanyard on each.  "Fire Bucket" stickers on each.  2.5 gal each.

• Two flashlights.

• 24" manual bilge pump.

• Flare kit.

• Telescoping boat hook.

• Anchor with Anchor Line.

• First Aid Kit

SIGNS & INFORMATION 

• Name of Vessel and Port Of Call at Stern and Bow (sometimes - not included in COI package)

• "No Passengers Beyond This Point" on front gates to loading zone.

• "Head" or "Bathroom" on  bathroom door

• "Battery Shutoff" label at battery shutoff

• "Fuel Shutoff" label at fuel shutoff

• "Fuel Fill" at fuel fill

• Labels for PFDS.  # of PFDS and whether of child or adult. Child and adult stowed separately. Ex: "6 Adult PFD's".

• "First Aid Kit" where First Aid Kit is stored

• "Fire Extinguisher" by Fire Extinguishers

• "Water Unfit for Drinking" in head above sink (sometimes)

• Waste/Oil Garbage Placard inside fuel pod (sometimes)

DOCUMENTATION

• Posted Emergency Instructions per 46CFR185.510 & 46CFR185.512

• Posted Stability Letter

• Log book for: Safety Drills, emergency equipment maintenance, trip logs

• FCC Marine Radio Operating Permit - if required to use VHF (operations more than 1000ft from shore)

• Binder with:

• USCG Coast Pilot

• USCG Light List

• Tide Tables

• Tidal Tables

• Tidal Current Tables

• Rules of the Road Colregs for operating area

• Proof of enrollment in drug constortium for captains and crew, and associated paperwork and placards from the consortium

• State certificate of registration

• Passenger safety orientation annoucement

• Masters License for primary captain

FCC License

If your vessel operations route will go beyond 1000 ft from shore, you will be required to obtain a FCC Marine Radio Operating Permit.  To obtain a FCC Marine Radio Operating Permit for a COI'ed vessel, follow these steps:

• Visit the FCC website and download Form 605, which is the application form for a Marine Radio Operator Permit.

• Fill out the form with your personal information and the vessel's information, including the vessel's Coast Guard Documentation Number.

• Select the appropriate license class for your needs, which will likely be the Marine Radio Operator Permit (MP) for vessels operating domestically or the Marine Radio Operator Permit-Limited (MROP-L) for vessels operating only in US waters.

• Sign and date the application form, and ensure that all required sections are completed.

• Submit the application form to the FCC. The easiest way to submit the application is online through the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS). You can also mail a paper application to the FCC's Gettysburg, PA address listed on the form.

• Pay the application fee, which is currently $70. The FCC accepts payment online through the ULS, or you can include a check or money order with your paper application.

• Wait for the FCC to process your application. This can take up to several weeks, so be patient.

• Once your application is approved, you will receive your FCC Marine Radio Operator Permit in the mail. Be sure to keep this permit on board your vessel at all times when using marine radio equipment.

Most operators find it most convenient to hire a consultant to take care of the FCC licensing process.

Non-COIed Locations

For waterways that are not navigable to the ocean, they are typically not under USCG jurisdiction.  In these waterways, you will need to follow the state and local rules for commercial boat operations. Some states have regulations for commercial vessels that require inspections and follow regulations similar to the USCG.

We require following the same safety guidelines and rules as COI’ed locations, as those standards the industry standard.  Even though you will not have COI inspections, we require that you perform the same checks annually on those vessels, carry the same equipment, and follow the same standards.

Drug Consortium

A drug consortium, in the context of a commercial vessel operation, refers to a program established by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to assist vessel operators in complying with federal drug and alcohol testing regulations.

Under federal law, commercial vessel operators are required to implement a drug and alcohol testing program for crew members to ensure the safety of their operations. A drug consortium is a group of vessel operators who have joined together to create a pool of employees for random drug and alcohol testing.

By joining a drug consortium, vessel operators can meet their federal drug and alcohol testing requirements without having to establish and manage their own testing program. The drug consortium program is administered by a third-party administrator, who manages the testing process and maintains records to ensure compliance with USCG regulations.

Company participation in a drug consortium is voluntary, but many vessel operators find it to be a convenient and cost-effective way to comply with federal drug and alcohol testing regulations. Captains are required to be in a drug consortium to keep their captain's license active. The USCG will check which program they’re enrolled in.

We recommend working with the APCA Drug Testing consortium.  You can sign up and order the relevant testing materials for your captains at https://apcadrugtesting.com/.