1. Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise
CDR Andrew Bender
1 March 2018

2. Who are we? CDR Andrew Bender Detachment Chief
Marine Inspector Investigator
LCDR Charles Mellor
National Tech Advisor
Investigator
Mike Kelly
USCG Retired
Inspector, Investigator
School Chief
CWO Mark Belt
Marine Inspector
Investigator
Jim Van Wormer
Industry
Licensed Master
Dave Phillips
USCG Retired
Inspector, Investigator
RCP Auditor
Steven Douglass
Industry
Licensed Master
Chief Engineer

3. What are the roles of the NCOE?
Liaise and Deliver Expertise
Resolve CG/Industry FAQs (273 of 360)
Policy development
Conduct Exams – soon to be inspections
Provide guidance to CG, TPOs, industry
Train (develop and deliver)
CG Apprentice Marine Inspector Training – Feb 2018
District/Unit trainings for Marine Inspectors
Assist CG HQ in future development for ITV training

4. What are the roles of the NCOE?
Approve/Assess TPOs
Nine approved TPOs
Three initial assessments completed

5. Sub M Policy Highlights
Use of UTV Decal
Use of audits from existing systems
Compliance date
TSMS Vessels with Deficiencies
Guidance on the Audit Scheme
Early COI Applications for TSMS Option

6. TugSafe (Inspected Towing Vessel Electronic Decision Aid)
An interactive online job aid for determining towing vessel requirements + =

7. TugSafe Can be used by: Benefits: Vessel owners & operators TPO’s USCG
Increases productivity/efficiency.
Increases accuracy/consistency: No guesswork.
Convenience: Easy to find regulations/guidance.
Saves resources: travel/resource/personnel costs.

8. TugSafe End-user provides vessel particulars
GT ITC
Build Date
End-user provides vessel particulars
Generates a custom list of vessel specific requirements based on vessel particulars
Includes links (regulations, policy, guidance, etc.)
Does not store, share or track any information
Etc.
GRT
Route
TugSafe
Regulations
Guidance
Policy
Etc.
Vessel specific job aid

9. 1. www.dco.uscg.mil/tvncoe/
Finding TugSafe 1.
2. Towing Vessel Information
3. Subchapter M
4. Inspected Towing Vessel Decision Aid (TugSafe)

10. TugSafe Webpage CG Towing Vessel Contacts Start TugSafe
Report TugSafe errors. Submit suggestions for improvements. etc.
Changes
Corrections
Updates

11. Initial Screen

12. End-User Input

13. Red asterisk (*)means no answer
Input Validation …
Red asterisk (*)means no answer
Question asked
Stored answer
Click to change answer
Click to save answer …

14. Saving and Recalling a Vessel
Exporting (Saving) a vessel…on bottom of the answer validation page:
Click to save answers to a text file on the local computer
Importing (Recalling) a vessel…on bottom of the initial screen:
Click to repopulate answers from the saved text file

15. Job Aid Sections Generates up to 11 sections (if needed):
Inspections and Surveys for Certification
Operations
Credentials, Documents & Records
Navigation Safety Equipment
Lifesaving
Fire Protection
Machinery and Electrical
Construction and arrangement
Towline and Terminal Gear
Pollution Prevention Equipment
International

16. Inspection checklists
Hover over information block to see regulatory breakpoint(s) for the requirement
Inspection checklists
Policy
Guidance
Links
Additional information is only a click away

19. At the end of the generated job aid click…
Printing/Saving
At the end of the generated job aid click…

20. TVNCOE List Server Email notifications:
-Web site updates
Information of interest to CG, industry, and TPOs
Free service/easy signup

21. Questions?
TVNCOE