[Title 33 CFR 146]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - July 1, 2005 Edition]
[Title 33 - NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS]
[Chapter I - COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)]
[Subchapter N - OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF ACTIVITIES]
[Part 146 - OPERATIONS]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]


33NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS22005-07-012005-07-01falseOPERATIONS146PART 146NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERSCOAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF ACTIVITIES
PART 146_OPERATIONS--Table of Contents




                        Subpart A_OCS Facilities

Sec.
146.1 Applicability.
146.5 Person in charge.
146.10 Notice of new facilities.
146.15 Maintenance of emergency equipment.
146.20 Work vests.
146.30 Notice of casualties.
146.35 Written report of casualty.
146.40 Diving casualties.
146.45 Pollution incidents.

                     Subpart B_Manned OCS Facilities

146.101 Applicability.
146.105 General alarm system.
146.110 Emergency signals.
146.115 Duties of personnel during an emergency.
146.120 Manning of survival craft.
146.125 Emergency drills.
146.130 Station bill.
146.135 Markings for emergency equipment.
146.140 Emergency Evacuation Plan.

                Subpart C_Mobile Offshore Drilling Units

146.201 Applicability.
146.202 Notice of arrival or relocation of MODUs on the OCS.
146.203 Requirements for U.S. and undocumented MODUs.
146.205 Requirements for foreign MODUs.
146.210 Emergency Evacuation Plan.

                            Subpart D_Vessels

146.301 Applicability.
146.303 Notice and written report of casualties.

    Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1333(d)(1), 1348(c), 1356; 49 CFR 1.46.

    Source: CGD 78-160, 47 FR 9383, Mar. 4, 1982, unless otherwise 
noted.



                        Subpart A_OCS Facilities



Sec. 146.1  Applicability.

    The provisions of this subpart apply to OCS facilities except mobile 
offshore drilling units.



Sec. 146.5  Person in charge.

    (a) The owner or operator, or the agent of either of them, shall 
designate by title and in order of succession the persons on each OCS 
facility who shall be the ``person in charge.''
    (b) In case an emergency arises, nothing in the regulations in this 
subchapter shall be so construed as preventing the person in charge from 
pursuing the most effective action in that person's judgement for 
rectifying the conditions causing the emergency.



Sec. 146.10  Notice of new facilities.

    (a) The owner or operator of each OCS facility not in operation 
before April 5, 1982 shall, at least 30 days before the date on-site 
construction of the facility is expected to commence, notify the 
District Commander for the area in which the facility will be located 
of:
    (1) The position in which the facility will be operated;
    (2) The designation assigned to the facility for identification 
under 30 CFR 250.37;
    (3) The date when operation of the facility is expected to commence; 
and
    (4) The date when the facility is expected to be available for 
inspection by the Coast Guard.
    (b) The information required in paragraph (a) of this section may be 
submitted together with an need not repeat information submitted in 
connection with the application and notice requirements in 33 CFR Part 
67 for aids to navigation on the Outer Continental Shelf.

[[Page 156]]



Sec. 146.15  Maintenance of emergency equipment.

    (a) The emergency equipment provided, regardless of whether or not 
required by this subchapter, shall be maintained in good condition at 
all times. Good operating practices require replacement of expended 
equipment, as well as periodic renewal of those items which have a 
limited period of effectiveness.
    (b) Each personal flotation device light that has a non-replaceable 
power source must be replaced on or before the expiration date of the 
power source.
    (c) Each replaceable power source for a personal flotation device 
light must be replaced on or before its expiration date and the light 
must be replaced when it is no longer serviceable.



Sec. 146.20  Work vests.

    (a) Types of approved work vests. Each buoyant work vest carried 
under the permissive authority of this section must be approved under--
    (1) 46 CFR 160.053; or
    (2) 46 CFR 160.077 as a commercial hybrid PFD.
    (b) Use. Approved buoyant work vests are considered to be items of 
safety apparel and may be carried aboard OCS facilities to be worn by 
persons employed thereon when working near or over the water. The use 
and control of such vests shall be under the supervision of the person 
in charge of the facility. When carried, such vests shall not be 
accepted in lieu of any portion of the required number of approved life 
preservers and shall not be substituted for the approved life preservers 
required to be worn during drills and emergencies.
    (c) Stowage. The work vests shall be stowed separately from the 
regular stowage of approved life preservers. The location for the 
stowage of work vests shall be such as not to be easily confused with 
that for approved life preservers.
    (d) Inspections. Each work vest shall be subject to examination by a 
marine inspector to determine its serviceability. If found to be 
satisfactory, it may be continued in service, but shall not be stamped 
by a marine inspector with a Coast Guard stamp. If a work vest is found 
not to be in a serviceable condition, then such work vest shall be 
removed from the OCS facility. If a work vest is beyond repair, it shall 
be destroyed or mutilated in the presence of a marine inspector so as to 
prevent its continued use as a work vest.
    (e) Additional requirements for hybrid work vests. Commercial hybrid 
PFD's must, in addition to the other requirements in this section, be--
    (1) Used, stowed, and maintained in accordance with--
    (i) The procedures set out in the manual required for these devices 
by 46 CFR 160.077-29; and
    (ii) Any limitation(s) marked on them; and
    (2) Of the same or similar design and have the same method of 
operation as each other hybrid PFD carried on board.

[CGD 78-160, 47 FR 9383, Mar. 4, 1982, as amended by CGD 78-174A, 51 FR 
4339, Feb. 4, 1986]



Sec. 146.30  Notice of casualties.

    (a) The owner, operator, and person in charge of an OCS facility 
shall ensure that the Coast Guard is notified as soon as possible after 
a casualty occurs, and by the most rapid means available, of each 
casualty involving the facility which results in:
    (1) Death; or
    (2) Injury to 5 or more persons in a single incident.
    (b) The owner, operator, and person in charge shall ensure that the 
Coast Guard is notified promptly of each casualty involving the facility 
which results in:
    (1) Damage affecting the usefulness of primary lifesaving or 
firefighting equipment;
    (2) Injury causing any person to be incapacitated for more than 72 
hours;
    (3) Damage to the facility exceeding $25,000 resulting from a 
collision by a vessel with the facility; or
    (4) Damage to a floating OCS facility exceeding $25,000.
    (c) The notice required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section 
must identify the person giving the notice and the facility involved and 
describe, insofar as practicable, the nature of the casualty and the 
extent of injury to personnel and damage to property.

[[Page 157]]

    (d) Damage costs referred to in paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) of this 
section include the cost of labor and material to restore the facility 
to the service condition which existed prior to the casualty, but does 
not include the cost of salvage, cleaning, gas freeing, drydocking or 
demurrage of the facility.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB control 
numbers 2115-0003 and 2115-0004)

[CGD 78-160, 47 FR 9383, Mar. 4, 1982, as amended by CGD 82-069, 50 FR 
14216, Apr. 11, 1985]



Sec. 146.35  Written report of casualty.

    (a) In addition to the notice of a casualty required by Sec. 
146.30, the owner, operator, or person in charge shall, within 10 days 
of the casualty, submit to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, a 
written report which:
    (1) Identifies the facility involved, its owner, operator, and 
person in charge;
    (2) Describes the casualty, including the date and time;
    (3) Describes the nature and extent of injury to personnel and 
damage to property;
    (4) Describes the factors which may have contributed to causing the 
casualty;
    (5) Gives the name, address, and phone number of persons involved in 
or witnessing the casualty; and
    (6) Gives any desired comments, especially with respect to use of or 
need for emergency equipment.
    (7) Includes information relating to alcohol or drug involvement as 
specified in the vessel casualty reporting requirements of 46 CFR 4.05-
12.
    (b) The written report required by paragraph (a) of this section may 
be--
    (1) In narrative form if all appropriate parts of Form CG-2692 are 
addressed;
    (2) On Form CG-2692 for casualties resulting in property damage, 
personnel injury, or loss of life.
    (c) If filed or postmarked within 5 days of the casualty, the 
written report required by paragraph (a) of this section serves as the 
notice required by Sec. 146.30(b).

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB control 
numbers 2115-0003 and 2115-0004)

[CGD 78-160, 47 FR 9383, Mar. 4, 1982, as amended by CGD 82-023a, 47 FR 
35741, Aug. 16, 1982; CGD 82-023a, 48 FR 43174, Sept. 22, 1983; CGD 84-
099, 52 FR 47533, Dec. 14, 1987]



Sec. 146.40  Diving casualties.

    Diving related casualties are reported in accordance with 46 CFR 
197.484 and 197.486.



Sec. 146.45  Pollution incidents.

    Oil pollution incidents involving an OCS facility are reported in 
accordance with Sec. Sec. 135.305 and 135.307 of this chapter. 
Additional provisions concerning liability and compensation because of 
oil pollution are contained in Subchapter M of this chapter.



                     Subpart B_Manned OCS Facilities



Sec. 146.101  Applicability.

    The provisions of this subpart apply only to manned OCS facilities 
except mobile offshore drilling units.



Sec. 146.105  General alarm system.

    Each manned facility must have a general alarm system. When 
operated, this system shall be audible in all parts of the structure on 
which provided.



Sec. 146.110  Emergency signals.

    (a) The owner, the owner's agent, or the person in charge shall 
establish emergency signals to be used for calling the personnel to 
their emergency stations.
    (b) The signal to man emergency stations shall be an intermittent 
signal on the general alarm system for not less than 10 seconds. The 
abandon facility signal shall be a continuous signal on the general 
alarm system.



Sec. 146.115  Duties of personnel during an emergency.

    (a) The owner, the owner's agent, or the person in charge shall 
assign to each person on a manned facility special duties and duty 
stations so that in event an emergency arises confusion will be 
minimized and no delay will

[[Page 158]]

occur with respect to the use or application of equipment required by 
this subchapter. The duties shall, as far as possible, be comparable 
with the regular work of the individual.
    (b) The duties shall be assigned as necessary for the proper 
handling of any emergency, and shall include the following:
    (1) The closing of air ports, watertight doors, scuppers, and 
sanitary and other discharges which lead through the facility's hull.
    (2) The stopping of fans and ventilation systems.
    (3) The donning of life preserves.
    (4) The preparation and launching of life floats, lifeboats, or life 
rafts.



Sec. 146.120  Manning of survival craft.

    The owner, the owner's agent, or the person in charge shall assign a 
person to each life float, lifeboat, life raft, or survival capsule who 
shall be responsible for launching it in event of an emergency.



Sec. 146.125  Emergency drills.

    (a) Emergency drills shall be conducted at least once each month by 
the person in charge of the manned facility. The drill shall be 
conducted as if an actual emergency existed. All personnel should report 
to their respective stations and be prepared to perform the duties 
assigned to them.
    (b) The person in charge and conducting the emergency drill shall 
instruct the personnel as necessary to insure that all persons are 
familiar with their duties and stations.
    (c) Emergency evacuation drills. The following emergency evacuation 
drills must be conducted:
    (1) At least once a year, all the elements of the Emergency 
Evacuation Plan (EEP) under Sec. 146.140 relating to the evacuation of 
personnel from the facility must be exercised through a drill or a 
series of drills. The drill(s) must exercise all of the means and 
procedures listed in the EEP for each circumstance and condition 
described in the EEP under Sec. 146.140(d)(9).
    (2) At least once a month, a drill must be conducted that 
demonstrates the ability of the facility's personnel to perform their 
duties and functions on the facility, as those duties and functions are 
described in the EEP. If a standby vessel is designated for that 
facility in the EEP, the vessel must be positioned as described in the 
EEP for an evacuation of that facility and the vessel's crew must 
demonstrate its ability to perform its duties and functions under the 
EEP.
    (d) The date and time of such drills shall be reported in writing by 
the person in charge at the time of the drill to the owner who shall 
maintain this report record for a year and furnish it upon request to 
the Coast Guard. After one year, such records may be destroyed. When it 
is impossible to conduct emergency drills as required by this section 
during a particular calendar month, during the following month, a 
written report by the owner shall be submitted to the Officer in Charge, 
Marine Inspection, stating why the drills could not be conducted.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB control 
number 2115-0071)

[CGD 78-160, 47 FR 9383, Mar. 4, 1982, as amended by CGD 84-098b, 54 FR 
21572, May 18, 1989]



Sec. 146.130  Station bill.

    (a) The person in charge of each manned platform shall be 
responsible for and have prepared a station bill (muster list). This 
station bill must be signed by the person in charge. Copies shall be 
duly posted in conspicuous locations on the manned platform.
    (b) The station bill shall set forth the special duties and duty 
stations of each member of the personnel for any emergency which 
involves the use or application of equipment required by this 
subchapter. In addition, it shall contain all other duties assigned and 
considered as necessary for the proper handling of other emergencies.
    (c) The station bill shall contain the various signals to be used 
for calling the personnel to their emergency stations, and to abandon 
the facility.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB control 
number 2115-0542)

[CGD 78-160, 47 FR 9383, Mar. 4, 1982, as amended by CGD 86-011, 51 FR 
5712, Feb. 18, 1986]

[[Page 159]]



Sec. 146.135  Markings for emergency equipment.

    (a) Markings shall be provided as considered necessary for the 
guidance of persons on manned facilities.
    (b) The general alarm bell switches shall be identified by red 
letters at least one inch high with a contrasting background: ``General 
Alarm.''
    (c) All general alarm bells shall be identified by a sign at each 
bell in red letters at least one inch high with a sharp contrasting 
background: ``General Alarm--When Bell Rings Go to Your Station.
    (d) All life floats, lifeboats, life rafts, and survival capsules, 
together with paddles or oars, shall be conspicuously marked with a name 
or number of, or other inscription identifying, the facility on which 
placed. The number of persons allowed on each life float, lifeboat, or 
life raft shall be conspicuously marked thereon in letters and numbers 
1\1/2\ inches high. These numbers shall be placed on both sides of the 
life float, lifeboat, or life raft. Inflatable life rafts shall be 
marked in accordance with Subpart 160.051 of 46 CFR Part 160 and no 
additional markings are required.
    (e) All life preservers and ring life buoys shall be marked with the 
name or number of, or other inscription identifying, the facility on 
which placed except those which accompany mobile crews to unmanned 
platforms may be marked with the operator's name and field designation.



Sec. 146.140  Emergency Evacuation Plan.

    (a) The operator of each manned OCS facility shall develop an 
Emergency Evacuation Plan (EEP) for the facility which addresses all of 
the items listed in paragraph (d) of this section. The EEP may apply to 
more than one facility, if the facilities are located in the same 
general geographic location and within the same Coast Guard Officer in 
Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) zone; if each facility covered by the 
EEP is specifically identified in the EEP; and if the evacuation needs 
of each facility are accommodated. The EEP must be submitted to the OCMI 
having jurisdiction over the facility, 30 days before placing the 
facility in operation. The OCMI reviews the EEP to determine whether all 
items listed in paragraph (d) of this section are addressed for each 
facility included in the EEP. If the OCMI determines that all items in 
paragraph (d) of this section are addressed, the OCMI stamps the EEP 
``APPROVED'' and returns it, together with a letter indicating Coast 
Guard approval, to the operator. If the OCMI determines that any item is 
not addressed, the OCMI stamps the EEP ``RETURNED FOR REVISION'' and 
returns the EEP, together with an explanation of the EEP's deficiencies, 
to the operator.
    (b) Once the EEP is approved under paragraph (a) of this section, 
the facility operator shall ensure that a copy of the EEP and the letter 
indicating Coast Guard approval is maintained on the facility.
    (c) The EEP must be resubmitted for approval when substantive 
changes are made to the EEP. Only the pages affected by a change need be 
resubmitted if the EEP is bound in such a way as to allow old pages to 
be removed easily and new ones inserted. Substantive changes include, 
but are not limited to, installation of a new facility within the area 
covered by an EEP, relocation of a MODU, changes in the means or methods 
of evacuation, or changes in the time required to accomplish evacuation.
    (d) The EEP must, at a minimum,
    (1) Be written in language that is easily understood by the 
facility's operating personnel;
    (2) Have a table of contents and general index;
    (3) Have a record of changes;
    (4) List the name, telephone number, and function of each person to 
be contacted under the EEP and state the circumstances in which that 
person should be contacted;
    (5) List the facility's communications equipment, its available 
frequencies, and the communications schedules with shore installations, 
standby vessels, rescue aircraft, and other OCS facilities specified in 
the EEP;
    (6) Identify the primary source of weather forecasting relied upon 
in implementing the EEP and state the frequency of reports when normal 
weather is forecasted, the frequency of reports

[[Page 160]]

when heavy weather is forecasted, and the method of transmitting the 
reports to the facility;
    (7) Designate the individual on each facility covered by the EEP who 
is assigned primary responsibility for implementing the EEP;
    (8) Designate those facility and shoreside support personnel who 
have the authority to advise the person in charge of the facility as to 
the best course of action to be taken and who initiate actions to assist 
facility personnel;
    (9) Describe the recognized circumstances, such as fires or 
blowouts, and environmental conditions, such as approaching hurricanes 
or ice floes, in which the facility or its personnel would be placed in 
jeopardy and a mass evacuation of the facility's personnel would be 
recommended;
    (10) For each of the circumstances and conditions described under 
paragraph (d)(9) of this section, list the pre-evacuation steps for 
securing operations, whether drilling or production, including the time 
estimates for completion and the personnel required;
    (11) For each of the circumstances and conditions described under 
paragraph (d)(9) of this section, describe the order in which personnel 
would be evacuated, the transportation resources to be used in the 
evacuation, the operational limitations for each mode of transportation 
specified, and the time and distance factors for initiating the 
evacuation; and
    (12) For each of the circumstances and conditions described under 
paragraph (d)(9) of this section, identify the means and procedures--
    (i) For retrieving persons from the water during an evacuation;
    (ii) For transferring persons from the facility to designated 
standby vessels, lifeboats, or other types of evacuation craft;
    (iii) For retrieving persons from designated standby vessels, 
lifeboats, or other types of evacuation craft if used; and
    (iv) For the ultimate evacuation of all persons on the facility to 
land, another facility, or other location where the evacuees would be 
reasonably out of danger under the circumstance or condition being 
addressed.
    (e) The operator shall ensure that--
    (1) All equipment specified in the EEP, whether the equipment is 
located on or off of the facility, is made available and located as 
indicated in the EEP and is designed and maintained so as to be capable 
of performing its intended function during an emergency evacuation;
    (2) All personnel specified in the EEP are available and located as 
specified in the EEP and are trained in fulfilling their role under the 
EEP; and
    (3) Drills are conducted in accordance with Sec. 146.125(c).
    (f) A complete copy of the EEP must be made available to the 
facility's operating personnel and a brief written summary of, or an 
oral briefing on, the EEP must be given to each person newly reporting 
on the facility.
    (g) A copy of the EEP must be on board each standby vessel, if any, 
designated in the EEP and provided to all shoreside support personnel, 
if any, specified in the EEP.

[CGD 84-098b, 54 FR 21572, May 18, 1989, as amended by USCG-1998-3799, 
63 FR 35530, June 30, 1998]



                Subpart C_Mobile Offshore Drilling Units



Sec. 146.201  Applicability.

    This subpart applies to mobile offshore drilling units engaged in 
OCS activities.



Sec. 146.202  Notice of arrival or relocation of MODUs on the OCS.

    (a) The owner of any mobile offshore drilling unit engaged in OCS 
activities shall, 14 days before arrival of the unit on the OCS or as 
soon thereafter as practicable, notify the District Commander for the 
area in which the unit will operate of:
    (1) The unit's name, nationality, and designation assigned for 
identification under 30 CFR 250.37;
    (2) The location and year that the unit was built;
    (3) The name and address of the owner, and the owner's local 
representative, if any;
    (4) Classification or inspection certificates currently held by the 
unit;

[[Page 161]]

    (5) The location and date that operations are expected to commence 
and their anticipated duration; and
    (6) The location and date that the unit will be available and ready 
for inspection by the Coast Guard.
    (b) Once a unit is located on the OCS, the owner of the unit shall 
notify the District Commander before relocating the unit.
    (c) The information required in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 
section may be provided by telephone or may be submitted together with, 
and need not repeat information contained in, applications and notices 
under 33 CFR part 67 for aids to navigation on the Outer Continental 
Shelf or 33 CFR part 135 for applications for certificate of financial 
responsibility.



Sec. 146.203  Requirements for U.S. and undocumented MODUs.

    Each mobile offshore drilling unit documented under the laws of the 
United States and each mobile offshore drilling unit that is not 
documented under the laws of any nation must comply with the operating 
standards of 46 CFR part 109 when engaged in OCS activities.



Sec. 146.205  Requirements for foreign MODUs.

    Each mobile offshore drilling unit that is documented under the laws 
of a foreign nation must, when engaged in OCS activities, comply with 
one of the following:
    (a) The operating standards of 46 CFR part 109.
    (b) The operating standards of the documenting nation if the 
standards provide a level of safety generally equivalent to or greater 
than that provided under 46 CFR part 109.
    (c) The operating standards for mobile offshore drilling units 
contained in the International Maritime Organization (IMO, formerly 
Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization or IMCO) (IMO) 
Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling 
Units (IMO Assembly Resolution A. 414(XI)) which has been incorporated 
by reference and the requirements of 46 CFR Part 109 for matters not 
addressed by the Code.



Sec. 146.210  Emergency Evacuation Plan.

    (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the requirements 
applicable to Emergency Evacuation Plans (EEPs) on manned OCS facilities 
under Sec. 146.140 are applicable to MODUs.
    (b) An EEP must be submitted by--
    (1) The holder of a lease or permit under the Act for each MODU 
within the area of the lease or the area covered by the permit; or
    (2) The operator under 30 CFR 250.2(gg), if other than the holder of 
a lease or permit, for each MODU within the area in which the operator 
controls or manages operations.
    (c) To avoid unnecessary duplication, the EEP may incorporate by 
reference pertinent sections of the MODU's operating manual required by 
46 CFR 109.121.
    (d) In complying with Sec. 146.140(d)(7), the EEP must designate 
the master or person in charge of the MODU under 46 CFR 109.107 as the 
individual who is assigned primary responsibility for implementing the 
EEP, as it relates to that MODU.

[CGD 84-098b, 54 FR 21573, May 18, 1989]



                            Subpart D_Vessels



Sec. 146.301  Applicability.

    This subpart applies to vessels engaged in OCS activities other than 
United States vessels already required to report marine casualties under 
Subpart 4.05 of 46 CFR part 4 or subpart D of 46 CFR part 109.



Sec. 146.303  Notice and written report of casualties.

    The owner, operator, or person in charge of a vessel engaged in OCS 
activities shall ensure that the notice of casualty requirements of 
Sec. 146.30 and the written report requirements of Sec. 146.35 are 
complied with whenever a casualty involving the vessel occurs which 
results in:
    (a) Death;
    (b) Injury to 5 or more persons in a single incident; or
    (c) Injury causing any person to be incapacitated for more than 72 
hours.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB control 
numbers 2115-0003 and 2115-0004)

[[Page 162]]