On November 27, 2020 (85 FR 75972), the Coast Guard (CG) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the federal register requesting comments on its changes to 33 CFR Parts 127, 154 and 156 to enable electronic submission of Operations Manuals and Emergency Manuals and electronic communication between the operators of regulated facilities and the Coast Guard, reducing the time and cost associated with mailing and processing printed manuals. Current regulations stipulate that these facilities send the Coast Guard two copies of their Operations Manual, their Emergency Manual, if applicable, and any amendments to the manuals. This proposed rule would allow facility operators to submit one electronic or printed copy of the manuals and amendments to the manuals. This proposed rule would also require these facilities to maintain either an electronic or a printed copy of each required manual in the marine transfer area of the facility during transfer operations. Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before January 26, 2021.

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CG 11-27-2020 NPRM allow e-copy of Ops and ER manuals