DISTRIBUTION - SDL No. 170
NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION:
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 16715.5A
Subj: MARINE SAFETY CENTER REGULATION INTERPRETATION RESPONSIBILITY
1. PURPOSE. This Instruction is promulgated to notify Coast Guard personnel involved in the
Prevention Program of the Marine Safety Center's (MSC) authority to make interpretations of
regulations related to vessel plan review. Consistent with MSC’s role as the maritime community
“window” to technical issues related to commercial vessel plan review, it is within their purview to
interpret existing regulations and technical requirements without forwarding to Commandant for
action.
2. ACTION. 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. .
3. AUTHORIZED RELEASE. Internet release is authorized.
4. DIRECTIVE AFFECTED. Marine Safety Center Regulation Interpretation Responsibility,
COMDTINST 16715.5 is cancelled.
5. BACKGROUND. Upon commissioning in 1986, the MSC concentrated its resources on detailed
review of drawings and calculations submitted to demonstrate compliance with the Code of
Federal Regulations. Frequently, the plan review process involves designs for which regulatory
interpretations are essential prior to system approval. The authority for these technical
determinations originally rested with the Office of Design and Engineering Standards (CG-ENG).
Through day to day involvement in the plan review process, MSC personnel gain an excellent
working knowledge of the regulations, which positions them well to provide consistent and
uniform application of regulations. In 1994, when this Directive was first published, it was
acknowledged that we needed a more responsive process to better support vessel designers pushing
the design envelope to maintain pace with an innovative and dynamic market. That need has not
changed. Since this Directive was first published, the MSC has been successfully making technical
Commandant
United States Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard Stop 7509
2703 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE
-
Washington, DC 20593-7501
-ENG
372-1377
COMDTINST 16715.5A
