COMDTINST 16715.5A governs Marine Safety Center interpretations of regulations and technical requirements related to commercial vessel plan review.
View COMDTINST 16715.5A on armypubs.army.mil
The publication addresses the Marine Safety Center’s authorities, technical determinations, program policy boundaries, environmental considerations, and distribution. It requires technical interpretations to remain with the Marine Safety Center while program policy and regulatory waivers or exemptions remain with Commandant (CG-5P).
Applies to: All Coast Guard unit commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge, deputy/assistant commandants, and chiefs of headquarters staff elements shall comply with the provisions of this Instruction.
All Coast Guard unit commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge, deputy/assistant commandants, and chiefs of headquarters staff elements shall comply with the provisions of this Instruction. (paragraph 2)
Pursuant to 46 CFR § 1.01-10(e)(5), the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center, under the direction of the Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy (CG-5P) and the Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards (CG-5PS), conducts reviews and approvals of plans, calculations, and other materials concerning the design, construction, alterations, and repair of commercial vessels to determine conformance with the marine inspection laws, regulations, and implementing directions, and administers the U.S. Tonnage Measurement program. (paragraph 8)
Determinations concerning regulatory implementation of a technical nature will continue to be performed by the MSC.
In this regard, the MSC will continue to be the first point of contact for all interpretations of technical requirements involving commercial vessel design and plan review approval.
Likewise, any waivers or exemptions from the regulations will remain the responsibility of Commandant (CG-5P).