Effective June 7, 2002, BOEMRE was authorized to conduct inspections of U.S. Coast Guard-regulated items on fixed OCS platforms. Under the new rule, the Coast Guard retains regulatory authority over the self-inspection program and will continue to be responsible for initial facility inspections to ensure full compliance with all safety requirements under Coast Guard jurisdiction. Inspections by both the BOEMRE and the Coast Guard will be conducted in accordance with Title 33, Subchapter N, Outer Continental Shelf Activities, Parts 140-147.

BOEMRE enforcement of regulatory requirements of the Fixed Platform Self-Inspection Program is being accomplished through Potential Incidents of Non-Compliance (PINCs). The 27 program-specific PINCs, which were jointly developed by the Coast Guard and BOEMRE, are denoted by the alpha-character “Z” and have enforcement actions ranging from “Warning” to “Component Shut-in” to “Shut-in Facility."

To prepare BOEMRE staff for the assumption of new inspection responsibilities, the Coast Guard developed training modules and conducted classroom training for both district inspectors and engineers in the Gulf of Mexico Region and the Pacific OCS Region. To further ensure consistency in inspection procedures, Coast Guard also conducted on-site training of the Bureau inspectors. Following all requisite training, the Bureau began inspection functions on August 30, 2002, in which the Bureau is conducting either a full inspection of all items on the Fixed Platform Self-Inspection form or a limited inspection of key safety items.

Efforts have been made to ensure consistency in program implementation and to establish procedures for the prompt identification and resolution of problems. The Bureau compiles biannual reports, based upon inspection statistics reported by the Bureau District offices, to highlight program progress and areas for improvement. These reports are presented to the Coast Guard’s Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security, and Stewardship by the BOEMRE Associate Director of Offshore Energy and Minerals Management during regular meetings between BOEMRE and the Coast Guard, ensuring program attention at the highest level.