U.S. Ports - Reporting Requirements
Steamship Mutual
Published: November 16, 2017
October 2001
The following information is based on a U.S. Coast Guard News Release of 3 October 2001:
Most ships entering U.S. ports will have to provide 96-hour advance notice of arrival (NOA) to the U. S. Coast Guard along with crew, passenger, and cargo information, under new rules that came into force on 4 October. A 24-hour advance notice has long been required for ships calling at U. S. ports. In the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks, ships have been directed by U.S. Coast Guard order to provide advance notice plus detailed information about crews, passengers, and cargoes.
The new temporary rules will also suspend some existing exemptions from NOA reporting and will make some changes in notice of departure (NOD) requirements for vessels carrying certain dangerous cargoes.
Beginning 15 October most NOA and NOD reports will be made to the Coast Guard’s new National Vessel Movement Center (NVMC). Reporting to the NVMC will streamline the notification process and the longer advance notice will allow the Coast Guard and other U. S. law enforcement agencies more time to review the information and plan for ship arrivals.
Maritime businesses, ship operators, and others involved in commercial vessel operations should review the new rules for details such as prior NOA reporting exemptions that will still exist, special provisions for Great Lakes shipping, and phone numbers and contact information for the NVMC. The rules appeared in the Federal Register Oct. 4, 2001, Docket USCG-2001-10689, RIN 2115-AG24. The rules and other useful information on the new procedures can be accessed via the NVMC website*. A chart outlining NOA/NOD changes is attached.
Some 10,000 ships make over 68,000 port calls in the U. S. each year. The NOA and NOD changes are part of the Coast Guard’s nationwide effort to safeguard the American public, ports, waterways, facilities, ships, mariners and boaters.
Vessel Type
& Voyage Time
NOA – Initial Report
NOD – Initial Report
NOA – Changes
NOD – Changes
Old
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
New
Vessels greater than 300 GT with a
voyage time of 96 hours or greater
24 hours
160.207
At least 96 hours before entering each port of destination
160.T208
None
None
None
As soon as practicable but no later than 24 hours before entering the port
None
None
Vessels greater than 300 GT voyage time less than 96 hours
24 hours
160.207
Before departing
but no less than 24 hours before entering each port of destination
160.T208
None
None
None
As soon as practicable but no later than 24 hours before entering the port
None
None
All vessels carrying dangerous cargo, except barges, with a voyage time of 96 hours or greater
24 hours
160.211(a)
At least 96 hours before entering each port of destination
160.T212
At least 24 hours unless notification was made within 2 hours of arrival
160.213
Same –
160.T214
None
As soon as practicable but no later than 24 hours before entering the port
None
Before departing
All vessels carrying dangerous cargo except barges with a voyage time of less than 96 hours
24 hours
160.211(a)
Before departing but no less than 24 hours before entering each port of destination
160.T212
At least 24 hours unless notification was made within 2 hours of arrival
160.213
Same –
160.T214
None
As soon as practicable but no later than 24 hours before entering the port
None
Before departing
All barges carrying dangerous cargo
4 hours
160.211(b)
At least 12 hours before entering each port of destination
160.T212
At least 4 hours before departing, unless notification was made within 2 hours of arrival
160.211(b)
Same -
160.T214
None
As soon as practicable but no later than 12 hours before entering port
None
Before departing
NOTE: For additional information about the rules contact LTJG Marcus Lines, 202 267-6854.
Update (September 2002)
The effective period of this temporary rule has been extended on several occasions to allow time for completion of the permanent rule making process. Most recently, the effect of the rule has been extended to 31 March 2003. (Federal Register Aug.28, 2002, Docket USCG-2001-10689, RIN 2115-AG47. Click here for link to Federal Register for 28 August 2002.)
*The required reporting forms are available in electronic form on the NVMC website in the "Downloads" section. These include the Notice of Vessel Arrival, Crew List, Non-Crew and Passenger List, Cargo List and Vessel Arrival/Departure Update Report forms which can be sent to the NVMC by e-mail, the method they prefer. However, forms may also be sent by fax (as long as they are clearly legible). Telephone reporting is only to be used for minor changes/updates.
As a result of a separate but related amendment to advance notification requirements in the Notification of Arrival regulations (Federal Register Aug.19, 2002, Docket USCG-2001-8659, RIN 2115-AG06), with effect from 18 September 2002 the charterer of a vessel must identified in addition to the other information already required. The Notice of Vessel Arrival form available on the NVMC website (as mentioned above) will shortly be adapted to allow inclusion of this information. It should be noted that this is a final rule. Click here for further information.
(Updated by SIMSL, September 2002)
