Notice2025-19276
Request for Information on Multi-Service Vessels and Vessels of Opportunity
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 2, 2025
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is requesting input from the public to better understand the operations of multi-service vessels (MSVs), specifically regarding the use of vessels of opportunity (VOOs). Public feedback will help to assess the current state of MSVs and VOOs in support of the marine transportation system and oil spill response activities.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 189 (Thursday, October 2, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 189 (Thursday, October 2, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47785-47786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-19276]
[[Page 47785]]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG-2025-0248]
Request for Information on Multi-Service Vessels and Vessels of
Opportunity
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Request for information.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is requesting input from the public to better
understand the operations of multi-service vessels (MSVs), specifically
regarding the use of vessels of opportunity (VOOs). Public feedback
will help to assess the current state of MSVs and VOOs in support of
the marine transportation system and oil spill response activities.
DATES: Comments must be received by the Coast Guard on or before
December 1, 2025.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments using the Federal Docket Management
System <a href="http://atwww.regulations.gov">atwww.regulations.gov</a>. See the ``Public Participation and
Request for Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
for further instructions on submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document,
call or email Mrs. Jennifer Hnatow, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 202-
372-1216, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#347e515a5a5d5251461a781a7c5a55405b4374414757531a595d58"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eba18e8585828d8e99c5a7c5a3858a9f849cab9e98888cc5868287">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Public Participation and Request for Comments
The U.S. Coast Guard views public participation as essential to
understanding vessel inspection and examination requirements. The Coast
Guard will consider all information and material received during the
comment period. If you submit a comment, please include the docket
number for this request for information, indicate the specific section
of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason
for each suggestion or recommendation.
Methods for submitting comments. We encourage you to submit
comments through the Federal Docket Management System <a href="http://atwww.regulations.gov">atwww.regulations.gov</a>. To do so, go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, type USCG-
2025-0248 in the search box, and click ``Search.'' Next, look for this
document in the Search Results column, and click on it. Then click on
the Comment option. If your material cannot be submitted using
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, contact the person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section of this document for alternate instructions.
Public comments will be posted in our online docket <a href="http://atwww.regulations.gov">atwww.regulations.gov</a> and can be viewed by following the instructions on
the Frequently Asked Questions web page, available <a href="http://atwww.regulations.gov">atwww.regulations.gov</a>/faq. That page also explains how to subscribe for
email alerts that will notify you when comments are posted or if a
final rule is published. We review all comments received.
The Coast Guard will not issue a separate response to the comments
received but will carefully consider each submission. The Coast Guard
may also introduce regulatory changes and update policy related to this
topic. If the Coast Guard undertakes any regulatory or policy changes
as a result of comments received, that change would be announced
separately.
Personal information. We accept anonymous comments. Comments we
post to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> will include any personal information you
have provided. For more information about privacy and submissions to
the docket in response to this document, see the Department of Homeland
Security's eRulemaking System of Records notice (85 FR 14226, March 11,
2020).
II. Abbreviations
2023 NDAA National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023
COI Certificate of Inspection
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
MSV Multi-service vessel
OCMI Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection
OSV Offshore supply vessel
RFI Request for information
VOO Vessel of opportunity
III. Purpose
The U.S. Coast Guard is issuing this request for information (RFI)
to collect information, ideas, and recommendations related to vessels
that perform operations and would be required inspection under multiple
subchapters in title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),
commonly referred to as multi-service vessels (MSVs). The Coast Guard
will use the public comments received in response to this RFI to better
understand the vessel of opportunity (VOO) industry.
IV. Background
The Coast Guard has long supported the diversification of
commercial activities for U.S.-flagged vessels. This effort began in
1999 with policy focused on simplifying the issuance of a single
Certificate of Inspection (COI) for offshore supply vessels (OSVs)
operating under multiple inspection subchapters. Recognizing the
evolving nature of the maritime industry, particularly with the
introduction of 46 CFR subchapter M establishing standards for towing
vessels in 2016, the Coast Guard sought to provide more comprehensive
guidance. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023
(2023 NDAA) further spurred this effort by defining VOOs as vessels
primarily engaged in activities other than spill response but used for
such purposes. Section 11316 of the 2023 NDAA (Pub. L. 117-263, 136
Stat. 2395) (46 U.S.C. 3306 note). Additionally, the 2023 NDAA directed
the Coast Guard to clarify in policy the applicability of subchapter M
regulations to VOOs and fishing vessels. Id.
In response, the Coast Guard published work instruction CVC-WI-032
in June 2023, titled ``U.S. Flagged Vessels Inspected Under Multiple
Subchapters (``Multi-Service'').'' CVC-WI-032 builds upon the original
OSV policy and addresses a broader range of MSV scenarios, including
VOOs, vessels carrying freight, and vessels operating in inspected and
uninspected service. It provides guidance on inspection requirements,
exemptions, and certification processes, which aims to streamline
regulatory compliance and reduce administrative burden while
maintaining safety standards. Specifically, it allows for the issuance
of a single COI for vessels operating under multiple subchapters and
clarifies when vessels, such as VOOs or fishing vessels engaged in
spill response towing, may be exempt from certain inspection
requirements.
The 2023 NDAA defined a VOO as ``a vessel engaged in spill response
activities that is normally and substantially involved in activities
other than spill response and not a vessel carrying oil as a primary
cargo.'' Vessels that have historically participated in the voluntary
VOO program include those whose primary service has been as fishing
vessels (as defined at 46 U.S.C. 2101(12)) and recreational vessels (as
defined at 46 U.S.C. 2101(34)). Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection
(OCMIs) issue VOO letters (called ``Oil Spill Response Vessel--Vessel
of Opportunity (VOO) Letters'' in CVC-WI-032) to uninspected vessels
that qualify as VOOs. The VOO letter confirms that the vessel qualifies
to operate as a VOO within a particular OCMI area and identifies other
information, such as the normal activities of the vessel and any
necessary manning requirements. Inspected vessels that qualify as VOOs
have a corresponding endorsement added to their COI.
[[Page 47786]]
V. Request for Information
The Coast Guard requests relevant comments and information from the
public regarding the operations of MSVs and VOOs, including vessel
inspection information provided for MSVs as outlined within CVC-WI-032.
Listed below are questions to guide your responses. We want and
encourage your feedback.
1. What are the operational and regulatory challenges for MSVs? Are
there improvements you recommend to Coast Guard policy in this area?
2. What are the current industry practices for MSV operations and
inspections, considering geographic and regional challenges? Based on
your vessel's specifications and intended activities, which regulations
apply to your vessel? Are there challenges in meeting these
requirements?
3. A VOO is defined by the 2023 NDAA, section 11316, as ``a vessel
engaged in spill response activities that is normally and substantially
involved in activities other than spill response and not a vessel
carrying oil as a primary cargo.'' Does this definition align with your
understanding of VOOs and how they operate? If not, what changes would
you recommend? What types of vessels operate as VOOs and what services
do they normally perform when not operating as VOOs?
4. As a vessel owner or operator, what obstacles and real-world
operational, logistical, and geographic challenges do vessels encounter
when conducting VOO operations? Are there improvements you recommend to
Coast Guard policy in this area?
5. What information should be required to obtain and renew a VOO
letter from the Coast Guard? What impediments exist to obtaining a VOO
letter from the Coast Guard?
6. Are there elements of existing VOO programs that could be
integrated into Coast Guard policies or programs?
7. Have you encountered VOOs operating for multiple oil spill
removal organizations? Are the participation requirements different for
each organization? If so, what challenges arise from these differences?
8. For oil spill removal organizations that use VOOs as part of the
capability packages they provide to a vessel or facility to meet vessel
or facility response plan requirements;
a. What kind of services do VOOs provide for the oil spill removal
organization? (For example, towing, wildlife response, carrying cargo
or supplies, or passenger transportation.)
b. What percentage of these VOOs are used for each kind of service?
9. Considering geographic and regional challenges, what are the
implications if VOOs are not available? What advantages or utility do
VOOs bring to regional response efforts?
10. As an owner or operator of a vessel that participates in a VOO
program, what additional costs do you incur in order to participate?
For example, are there additional inspection costs, and do you need
additional equipment to meet the needs of a VOO?
Dated: September 29, 2025.
W.R. Arguin,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Prevention
Policy.
[FR Doc. 2025-19276 Filed 10-1-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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