b'of credit. Prior to the 2016 revision, the onlythat credit should be given based on when20, the new next exam date will be March reference to hull exam dates was found in athe inspection is complete. There is no delay31 of the appropriate year. This assumes no note in MSM Vol II, B3-1:if work is ongoing.drydock extensions were granted.Note: Credit for the exam must be given onWhile PVA agreed with the Coast Guard thatThe work instruction goes beyond just dry-the date that all the requirements of the examforwardmigrationofadrydockexamduedock credit. Guidance is provided for vessels are met, not on the date the exam began. date can be problematic for vessel operatorsthat go between salt water and fresh water ser-sinceinspectionintervalscancreepintoavice, those that drydock and do not seek credit, In making the change, the Coast Guard intro- companys operating season, vessel operatorsand vessels that participate in the Underwater duced a contradiction in MSM Vol II regard- need to receive full credit and manage theirSurvey in Lieu of Drydock program.ing how the next exam date is determined. nextdrydockexamasappropriatefortheir operation. Vessel operators tend to scheduleThe work instruction also reiterates previousMarine Safety Manual Vol. II Chapter 3drydockinspectionsduringslowerbusinesspolicyondrydockextensions.SometimesHull Examinations page B3-1, paragraphperiods and those periods are fixed (e.g. winterthere are issues with getting into drydock that A1 directed that credit must be given onmonths).Correctionofthisissuenormallyare beyond the vessel operators control, such the date all requirements of the exam arerequires drydocking a vessel early to get backas drydock availability or supply chain delays met, not on the date the exam began. Soon their preferred schedule regardless of thethat require an extension of the drydock date. far, so good. next exam date on the COI. For small passenger vessels, extensions of up to one year can be granted by the local Offi- MarineSafetymanualVol.IIChapterTHE UPDATED WORK INSTRUCTION cerinChargeMarineInspection(OCMI).3DocumentationofVesselInspectionsThe new work instruction clarifies and pro- Passenger vessels inspected under Subchapter page A3-14 paragraph 2.c. directed thatvides drydock guidance to Coast Guard fieldH can seek extensions through Coast Guard the next exam should reflect the last day ofunits and the maritime industry. It is not limit- Headquarters.Forvesselsoperatingonthe the month the drydock or ISE is credited.ed to just domestic passenger vessels. The newGreat Lakes extensions of up to one year are Still good, and what PVA requested. guidance impacts all U.S. flag vessels includinggranted by the Ninth Coast Guard District in large passenger vessels and towboats, which isCleveland, Ohio.In the same paragraph as above (2.c.) thereof interest to some of our members.isadiscussionofpreventingforwardTohelpnavigatethispolicyupdate,the migration of drydock dates by using theThe biggest takeaway and what PVA asked forworkinstructioncontainsaflowchartand monththedrydockwasduewhenthewas clarification on the date the drydock examexample tables. Below, is the table on drydock drydock exam is delayed. Here is whereiscreditedandtheeliminationofforwardintervals for vessels with a two-year drydock the Coast Guard introduced an unintend- migration and delay language. The new guid- exam requirement. ed consequence. ance states that the last exam is the date on which all requirements of the exam are metPVAwillcontinuetoengageseniorCoast The word delay confused the issue since it isand not the date on which the exam began.Guard leadership on issues of mutual concern. not defined. If a drydock exam involves ex- So, if a vessels drydock due date (next examForquestionsregardingthenewdrydock tensive modifications, re-powering or repairson the COI) is Feb. 28 and the vessel doesexam policy, please contact Eric Christensen at lasting several weeks or months, PVA assertednot complete the drydock exam until Marchechristensen@passengervessel.com. ONCE EVERY TWO EXAMPLES*InputsNo. Due (Ext. due date) Start Credit Next1.1 28Feb2003 01Feb2003 14Feb2003 28Feb20051.2 28Feb2003 01Feb2003 17Mar2003 31Mar200513. 28Feb2003 15Nov2003 25Dec2003 31Dec2005When an extension was approved: 1.4 28Feb2003 (31May2003) 17Mar2003 (Ext. 1 month) 25May2003 30Apr20051.5 28Feb2003 (31May2003) 20Apr2003 (Ext. 2 months) 04Aug2003 30Jun2005When an exam is not started by the due date: 1.6 28Feb2003 02June2003 (Layup: 3 months) 04Aug2003 31Aug2005When an exam is not started by the extended due date: 1.7 28Feb2003 (31May2003) 05Nov2003 (Ext. 3 months, Layup: 5 months) 25Dec2003 30Sep2005*2-year interval used for examples; use same process for other once in X intervals31 MARCH 2023'