b'is that the scoring process is cumbersome andTheCoastGuardexpectsthatapproximatelyoffshoreandtheotheroperatesinaharbor many OCMIs are not willing to go through the10% of the small passenger vessel fleet, or 500 toone mile from land, the perception of risk and process. 600 vessels will be deemed high risk. Accordingpossible consequences is higher for the ocean to the policy letter, the list will not be madegoing vessel.Following the loss of the M/V Conception thepublic.CoastGuardconvenedaworkinggrouptoWHAT TO EXPECT IN 2021determine a more effective way to measure riskThe new policy letter emphasizes there is notThe Coast Guard has compiled the list of high-on small passenger vessels in order to targeta presumption of noncompliance for high riskrisk vessels and that list has been sent out to local higherriskvessels.CAPTEdwardsstatedsmall passenger vessels, but the model suggestsOCMIs as per the policy letter.Owners and that all domestic small passenger vessels willthat there is a higher probability of failure oroperators of high-risk vessels will be contacted beevaluatedandgivenariskscorebyCG- higher consequence associated with failure onby CG-CVC and told of their status.CVCatCoastGuardHeadquarters.Thatthose vessels.Said another way, if you have twoinformation will be sent to local OCMIs withidentical vessels and one is operated 100 milesRegarding annual inspections, the policy letter a recommendation of what level of inspection shouldbedoneduringannualinspections. He also mentioned there will likely be more frequentinspectionsonvesselsconsidered high risk.A week later, the Coast Guard issued Policy Letter 20-02 Inspection Guidance for High Risk Small Passenger Vessels. DETERMINATION OF HIGH RISKThenewpolicyletter,whichwilltake effectonJanuary1,2021,setsoutroles andresponsibilitiesfortheinspectionof high-risksmallpassengervessels.Asstated previouslyCoastGuardHeadquarterswill assessthesmallpassengervesselfleet.How is this done?The policy letter states:Using variouscomputationalmethods,machine learning-enabledsoftware,andtheCoast Guardsdatabaseofdeficiencyandcasualty information, the Office of Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC)developedamodelidentifying high risk SPVs. The model evaluates numerous factors,includingthecompliancehistory, number of passengers carried, vessel type, vessel age,route,andhistoryofvesselsinrelated operationstoidentifyvesselsthathavethe greatest risk.Sounds impressive, right?But what does it mean?CAPT Edwards confirmed that the elements usedintheriskmatrixcontainedinPolicy Letter 16-05, Change 1, are part of the new risk model.A vessels route (Oceans, Lakes, Bays and Sounds, etc.), age, hull material, number ofpassengers,deficiencyhistory,detentions, casualties, etc. are all included.In addition, the model looks at the performance of similar vessels meeting similar criteria. So, if a certain typeofvesselbeginstohavecasualtiesand seriousdeficiencies,therewillbeagreater emphasis on similar vessels nationwide. Think amphibious vehicles and overnight vessels as the most recent examples. DEC 2020 37 SAFETY MATTERS'