1. Alternative compliance program
ACP

2. ACP Program Overview
The ACP is a voluntary alternate process for U.S. vessels to obtain a Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection (COI) by complying w/ the standards of an authorized class society.
Delegates certain statutory survey and certification functions for U.S. flagged vessels to certain Class Societies.
Class issued statutory certificates on behalf of USCG
Provides increased flexibility in the construction and operation of U.S. flag vessels, while maintaining equivalent levels of safety and environmental protection.
Reduces regulatory burden through elimination of unnecessarily duplicative regs & inspections

3. Regulatory Framework
The ACP relies on a regulatory framework that equates the United States’ Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) to a recognized classification society’s rules plus applicable international standards (such as SOLAS or MARPOL) plus a Supplement
The Supplement captures the difference that exists between class rules and international standards and the CFR
Each supplement is specific to each recognized class society because it is predicated upon a given class society’s rules.
ACP
CFR
Conventions
Int’l
Supplement
U.S.
Class Rules

4. Participating Class Societies:
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
Det Norske Veritas (DNV)
Lloyd’s Register (LR)
Germanischer Lloyd (GL)

5. Types of Vessels authorized for ACP
Passenger vessels
Cargo Vessels
Tank Vessels
Offshore Supply Vessels (OSV)
High Speed Craft
Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU)

6. Classification Society Roles
Develop and maintain a current U.S. Supplement
Coordinate “hand-over” surveys upon application for enrollment
Provide access to records for vessels enrolled in ACP.
Carry out surveys to assess compliance w/ class rules, U.S. Supplement and Int’l codes & conventions.
Plan review
Track vessel’s condition
Initiate timely action to correct known deficiencies
Make timely notifications to the USCG
Issue/maintain International Convention Certificates
Record USCG issued deficiencies as “Conditions of Class” as appropriate.

7. Int’l Certificates Issued by Class (as applicable):
International Load Line
International Tonnage
Cargo Ship Safety Construction
Cargo Ship Safety Equipment
Cargo Ship Safety Radio
Certificates of Fitness
MODU Safety Certificate
ISM Document of Compliance
ISM Safety Management
IOPP
IAPP

8. Required notifications to USCG:
Drydock
Clearing a USCG issued deficiency (CG-835)
Following evidence of crime, unreported vessel damage, major non-conformities
Extending of certificates
*Note* Required ACP notifications in Europe, Africa and the Middle East should be referred to LT Chris Nichols at Activities Europe at

9. USCG Roles and Responsibilities
Verify vessels are designed, built, equipped, maintained, and operated IAW all applicable international and domestic requirements
Maintain a Liaison w/ Class Societies
Complete annual examinations (similar in scope to Port State Control)
Periodically attend Drydock activities
Review New Construction/Major Conversion plans to determine ACP effectiveness
Conduct damage surveys & investigations following Marine Casualties
Notify Class Society following USCG discovery of deficiencies.
Deny and/or revoke certificates for non-compliance

10. Activities retained by the Coast Guard:
Dry-dock extensions
Enrollment into UWILD program
Waivers/exemptions
Changes of Employment
Marine Casualty Investigations
Alternate compliance with COLREGS
Approvals of Safety Equipment, materials and installation
ISSC
CSR
Excursion Permits
Permits to Proceed
Vessel Security Issues
All manning issues
Critical Area Inspection Plan (CAIP, a program used to track cracking on large oil tankers)
Ballast Water Management

11. Points of Contact
*Note* - for ACP related issues in Europe, Africa or the Middle East please contact
LT Chris Nichols at or

12. References ACP Homepage - http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/acp/
List of Authorized Class Societies
Authorizations and Memos of Understanding
Current copy of U.S. Supplements
Links to Reference and Publications
Navigation and Inspection Circular (NVIC) 2-95, “The Alternative Compliance Program”
Contact information