NOAA Small Boat Standards and Procedures Manual - Responsibilities of Vessel Operations Coordinator

Section 1. Introduction

1.05 Submit requests for waiver from NOAA small boat procedures, standards, and requirements to Small Boat Safety Board for action

Section 2. Roles and Responsibilities

2.08 - Implement all requirements of the NOAA Small Boat Standards and Procedures Manual.

- Manage and maintain small boat support costs, establish and maintain contact with all users, and manage all small boat operations personnel

- Update NOAA small boat inventory and training lists

- Report inspections as completed to LOSBO and NOAA Small Boat Program

Section 3. Small Boat General Policies

3.01 - Determine if a proposed small boat underway operation is official

3.02 - Approve requests to transport non-mission critical personnel

3.03 - Designate an OIC for each underway operation

3.05 - Sign and maintain authorization certificates for qualified NOAA small boat operators

Section 4. Qualification, Evaluation, and Designation

4.01 - Ensure that personnel are trained to achieve stated qualifications and to maintain the level of proficiency and currency necessary to safely and effectively accomplish their assigned duties.

4.03c - Determine appropriate experience of candidates for designation as a NOAA small boat operator

4.04 - Complete checkout process with small boat operators for each type of mission and each specific small boat on which the personnel will be employed.

- Complete an Operator Qualifications Checklist form (Appendix F) for each person who will be operating and small boat(s)

4.05 - Assess small boat operator's knowledge of the procedures and equipment carried aboard the small boat(s) on which they will be employed

4.07 - Maintain copies of all training certificates and operator qualification checklists for all small boat operators

4.08 - Annually validate all Small Boat Operator Qualification Letters

4.11 - Report updates of training and certifications to the LOSBO and Small Boat Program Manager as they are completed

Section 5. Safe Manning Requirements

5.03a - Determine safe manning level baselines for Class A, I, and II small boats

5.03b - Determine safe manning level baselines for Class III and SRVs

Section 6. Small Boat Operating Procedures

6.01c - Receive verbal input from OIC concerning modifications to the mission, personnel, or small boat in an effort to mitigate risk as determined during the Operational Risk Assessment

6.01e - Receive Float Plan, either electronic or written, regardless of voyage duration

6.01e2 - Put Float Plan in writing if OIC cannot prepare a written Float Plan prior to departure

6.04b - Receive Trip Reports from OICs if required

6.04c - Receive reports of equipment malfunction from OICs

6.06 - Maintain and monitor active Float Plans

6.07 - If a small boat has not returned within 60 minutes of estimated time of arrival:

  • a. Attempt to contact the small boat by satellite/cell phone or HF/VHF radio;
  • b. Check the boat slip personally or ask the local marina manager, Coast Guard, or any on-site personnel to do so, if practicable;
  • c. If no contact is made after 2 hours of delinquency or if sunset is near, notify the appropriate Program Director;
  • d. When appropriate, notify the USCG of delinquency and be prepared to provide Float Plan information;
  • e. Remain in the office or at the station until the boat has been contacted and either returns to the dock or has reached an alternate safe location;
  • f. If the boat is delinquent 4 hours or more and communications cannot be established with the small boat by the USCG, the Line Office Small Boat Officer should be contacted.

Section 7. Small Boat Crew Duty Performance

7.02 - Help to avoid situations requiring anyone to be on duty in excess of 12 hours in one day

7.02e - Require watch schedules be posted where they are easily accessible when applicable

Section 11. Hazardous Materials/Waste Management and Pollution Prevention Control

11.01 - Assist with all environment compliance requirements and work with Chief Scientist(s) to ensure that this management policy is properly executed

11.02 - Receive MSDS sheets from Chief Scientist at least two weeks prior to getting underway

  • - Upon departure, receive hazardous materials list from visiting scientists

Section 12. Small Boat Inspection Requirements

12.02 - Ensure appropriate routine inspections are conducted by OICs

- Ensure that annual inspections are reported to their LOSBO and the Small Boat Program Manager in a timely manner

12.04a - Contact OMAO Fleet Inspection Office to schedule mutually acceptable date and time for inspection of Class III and SRV vessels

Section 13. Small Boat Acquisitions, Alterations, and Repairs

13.03a - Review all proposed alterations to assess their potential impact on safety and mission of the boat

- Seek guidance from a NOAA Small Boat Engineer, Fleet Inspection Office, and Small Boat Program Manager to ensure that the work will be done in accordance with the rules and regulations applicable to the particular class of small boat

13.03c - Seek marine engineering services through OMAO or a professional marine engineer for all significant small boat alterations

Section 14. NOAA Small Boat Visual Identification and Registration

14.07b - Submit the following information to the NOAA Small Boat Program Manager when requesting a hull-registration number:

  • 1. Length overall (LOA);
  • 2. Hull construction material(s);
  • 3. Builder/Brand;
  • 4. Mission;
  • 5. Propulsion plant type, configuration, and horsepower;
  • 6. Vessel Operations Coordinator;
  • 7. Ownership (Line or Staff Office/program);
  • 8. Home port or usual storage location; and
  • 9. Any other requirements listed on the form available on the website at http://www.sbp.noaa.gov/resources/identification/hullid.html

Appendix N, Attachment

  1. Class II - Conduct Annual Small Boat Evaluations (ASBE) for Class II small boats using "Class II Checklist and Outline"
    1. Schedule Small Boat Examination (SBEX) for Class II small boats by qualified marine surveyor every 2 years
    2. Sign and retain completed inspection checklists,  reports, and records; forward copies to LOSBO
  1. Class I - Conduct Annual Small Boat Evaluations (ASBE) for Class I small boats using "Class I Checklist and Outline"
    1. Schedule Small Boat Examination (SBEX) for Class I small boats by qualified marine surveyor every 3 years
    2. Sign and retain completed inspection checklists, reports, and records; forward copies to LOSBO
  1. Class A - Conduct Annual Small Boat Evaluations (ASBE) for Class A small boats using "Class A Checklist and Outline"
    1. Sign and retain completed inspection checklists, reports, and records; forward copies to LOSBO
  1. Trailers - Conduct Annual Trailer Evaluation (ATE) for Class II small boats using "Annual Trailer Evaluation Checklist"
    1. Sign and retain completed inspection checklists, reports, and records; forward copies to LOSBO