Delays pushed aside: New towing vessel regs get nod

Owners and operators of towing vessels will be faced with new rules regarding safety inspections that had been delayed by the Department of Homeland Security since Congress first passed the measures in 2004.

On Friday, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano signed off on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that is designed to increase operational safety for commercial, U.S. flagged vessels.

“I’m excited … that after seven years, two congressional directives, and countless contacts to DHS by the American Waterway Operators and other industry experts, Secretary Napolitano has finally agreed with the towing vessel inspection rules,” said Rep. Jeff Landry. “My office and I have been working hard to get these congressionally mandated safety measures approved and enforced.”

The U.S. Coast Guard completed a draft of the proposed rules and sent it to DHS for approval two years ago. In 2010, the bill required that the inspection rules be published by Jan. 13. Landry said the deadline was not met and he began to “grill” the Coast Guard until the measure was signed.

The inspection rules will now proceed to the Office of Management and Budget for final approval. Content of the rules package was not made available.