Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur is part of a pilot program for implementing the Performance-Driven Certificate of Compliance (COC) Examination Schedule for foreign tank vessels. Authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, this program modernizes the annual COC examination cycle.

Performance driven COC examination system was first announced by Corpus Christi Sector of USCG

For high-performing vessels, a comprehensive performance review by the Coast Guard is being implemented to satisfy the annual examination requirement in lieu of a physical, on-board inspection, as part of the pilot program. While the comprehensive, on-board examination required every two
years for COC renewal remains unchanged, this new schedule offers a different path for fulfilling the annual, mid-period requirement.

For vessel operators, the administration of this pilot program requires no change to existing procedures. Companies will need to continue to submit arrival notifications and requests for examinations as they normally would.
Upon receiving these notifications, local office will conduct a review of the vessel’s performance. Based on this internal CG review, the OCMI will either:
(1) schedule a physical, on-board annual examination, or,
(2) for eligible vessels as determined by the OCMI, issue a formal letter crediting the vessel with meeting its annual requirement. If issued a letter crediting the vessel for the annual requirement, no user fee payment is required for that examination. This letter must be maintained on board as proof of compliance and can be used to provide proof of compliance with other Coast Guard units and industry partners.

This program applies exclusively to foreign tank vessels (oil, liquified gas, and chemical) and does not change COC examination requirements for passenger vessels or Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs). The pilot program itself is currently authorized for the month of March for vessels calling on ports within the Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur and Sector Corpus Christi areas of responsibility.

If you have any questions regarding the pilot program at Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur, please reach out to this office.

Very Respectfully,

ARRIVALS PETTY OFFICER
U.S. Coast Guard MSU Port Arthur
Port State Control Division
2901 Turtle Creek Dr, Suite 200
Port Arthur TX, 77642
24HR Phone: 409-460-0794
Email: portarthurpsc@uscg.mil