Reporting/mooring for MODUs & vessels completing OCS activities intending to cold stack

18 Aug 2021 / Gulf of Mexico, United States

In anticipation of an active 2021 tropical cyclone season, the Eighth Coast Guard District is reminding owners and operators of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs) and other vessels completing Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) activities (e.g. accommodation vessels, support vessels, and others described in 33 CFR 146.601) of the requirement to notify the Coast Guard when these units are relocated.

  • The owner or operator of a MODU must notify the District Commander before relocating the unit. This includes units that are in, or being transitioned to, a “cold stacked” or non-operational status. For any MODU currently on the OC3 that as been relocated from its original position without the required notification, owners must provide the current location and 24-hour contact information as soon as possible. These notifications should be made to the Eighth District OC3 Division at [email protected]. This is in addition to the requirement to make certain notifications to the National Vessel Movement Center.

  • For other vessels engaged in OCS activities, owners or operators must submit updated Notices of Arrival to the National Vessel Movement Center, and it is requested that they also notify and provide 24-hour contact information to the Eighth District OCS Division at [email protected] when the vessel is being placed in a “cold stacked” on non-operational status.

When preparing to “cold stack”, a vessel or MODU offshore, the Coast Guard strongly encourages operators to follow Classification Society guidance (such as the American Bureau of Shipping June 2017 Guide for Lay-Up and Reactivation of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units or other Classification Society guidance) or other applicable standards regarding mooring arrangements. It is highly recommended that owners and operators ensure these arrangements are reviewed by a naval architect or professional engineer and, at a minimum, the following are considered:
- Potential heavy weather impacts, to include storm surge
- Proximity to shipping channels, OCS facilities, and pipelines
- Oil or hazardous materials remaining on board
- Lighting and sound signals (see also 33 CFR 143.15 and 33 CFR Part 67)
- Emergency response and recovery procedures

(For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at [email protected])

Source: U.S. Coast Guard Eighth District Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf Marine Safety Information Bulletin MSIB 21-03 dated 13 August 2021

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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