Coast Guard Requests Comments on Appropriate Standards for Outer Continental Shelf “Floatels”

The Coast Guard has requested comments on the appropriate standards for the design, construction, and operation of vessels used to provide accommodations for workers on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. The Coast Guard noted that although accommodation vessels, commonly called "floating hotels," or "floatels," are being used by the offshore industry to house workers more frequently and in deeper waters, existing U.S. and international standards do not specifically address the unique concerns with such vessels. Instead, the U.S., the International Maritime Organization, and Classification Societies refer to standards for other vessel types, as well as voluntary codes, such as Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships. The Coast Guard has asked for comments to help the agency determine appropriate standards for such vessels, including information on the types of vessels currently being used as floatels, the characteristics of those vessels, the safety standards being used, the maneuverability of the vessels, the size, make-up, and training of the crew, and the training of the accommodated personnel. The Coast Guard may also use the comments it receives in support of an initiative to update international standards for accommodation vessels. Comments may be submitted to the public docket, No. USCG-2011-0641, at www.regulations.gov on or before May 1, 2012.