Employing ships not affiliated with the U.S. Academic Research Vessel fleet (ARF)
Ensuring Health and Safety Standards for Non-UNOLS Vessels Used in Research and Education at UC San Diego
UC San Diego prioritizes the safety and health of scientists and students aboard ships and boats, ensuring that all vessels used in work adhere to strict health and safety standards, regardless of the organization operating the vessel, funding source, or location.
To meet the minimum health and safety standards set by UC San Diego, you must follow institutional requirements that typically include compliance with applicable maritime safety regulations, Coast Guard inspection standards, and UC San Diego’s specific policies on vessel operation and safety management.
For vessels used in research or education, the following key steps should be followed:
- Verification of Vessel Certification and Compliance: Ensure the vessel holds the appropriate certifications required by federal and state authorities, such as a valid Certificate of Inspection if applicable, and complies with Coast Guard regulations including navigation lights, sound signals, and safety equipment as specified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
- UC San Diego Safety Policies: UCSD’s research and education vessels, including non-UNOLS ships, usually must adhere to university health and safety standards. This means a safety management plan is established, including risk assessments, emergency protocols, and training for personnel onboard.
- Pre-Deployment Inspections and Risk Assessments: Conduct thorough inspections of the vessel’s mechanical condition, safety gear (life jackets, fire extinguishers, communication devices), and ensure the crew are trained to operate safely under research conditions.
- Coordination With UCSD Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and Marine Facilities: UCSD likely requires coordination with its EHS department and Marine Facilities Operations to review vessel suitability, safety compliance, and operational plans before deploying a non-UNOLS vessel for research or education.
- Coast Guard and State Regulations: Comply with additional federal regulations from the United States Coast Guard, including navigation and operational rules (72 COLREGS), and any California maritime environmental or operational standards applicable to San Diego’s waters.
For non-UNOLS vessels less than 50 feet long, they need to be evaluated by the SIO Small Boating Program. Users should contact the SIO Small Boating Program directly for guidance. For boats, this is the department to contact.
For non-UNOLS vessels longer than 50 feet, they need to be evaluated by SIO Ship Operations. The SIO Ship Operations department can be found in the SOMTS Contacts.
If chartering a non-UNOLS vessel, the UCSD Purchasing department will guide the user through the steps of ensuring all requirements are met. For ships, users should contact the SIO Ship Operations department for assistance.
In the case of ARF vessels, the ship operating institution is responsible for ensuring compliance with UNOLS standards that meet all UC requirements.
For vessels not part of the ARF, it is the responsibility of the user to demonstrate that the vessel meets the standards set by UC San Diego. SIO's shoreside support personnel can provide guidance for any other use of a non-ARF vessel.
Since direct UC San Diego policy details were not found in the search results, it is recommended to contact UCSD’s Environmental Health and Safety office or Marine Technical Support for the precise procedural documentation and compliance checklist for non-UNOLS vessels.
In summary, meeting UCSD’s minimum health and safety standards for non-UNOLS research vessels involves confirming federal Coast Guard certification and regulations compliance, aligning with UCSD’s safety management policies, conducting proper vessel inspections, and ensuring qualified crew training and emergency preparedness. For specific UCSD requirements, direct institutional guidance should be obtained.
){kind=link}