NAO 217-108A: Classification of NOAA Vessels

Issued 09/16/2022; Effective 12/14/2022 Reviewed Last: 12/14/2022

 

NAO 217-108A: Classification of NOAA Vessels PDF

SECTION 1. PURPOSE.

This order establishes a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) policy of a uniform system for classification of NOAA vessels.

SECTION 2. SCOPE.

  1. The classification system and the class into which each NOAA vessel falls is the basis for NOAA to determine which U.S. Coast Guard, Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW), American Bureau of Shipping, and other regulatory authority requirements apply to the operation and maintenance of NOAA vessels.

SECTION 3 DEFINITIONS

  1. Gross Tonnage. The measure of the overall size of a ship determined per the provisions of the International Convention on Tonnage Measurements of Ships.
  2. Shaft Horsepower. The horsepower delivered to a propeller shaft before being converted into thrust by the propeller. It is often measured and estimated by a manufacturer.

SECTION 4. POLICY.

  1. NOAA classifies all of its vessels that are at least 65’ in length based on the vessel’s power tonnage. Power tonnage (c) is the sum of shaft horsepower (a) and gross international tonnage (b) of any given vessel. The formula is (a) + (b) = (c).
  2. NOAA has established six vessel classes, each covering the following specified range of power tonnage:
 

vESSLE Class

power tonnage

1

9000 - 5501

2

5500- 3501

3

3500 - 2001

4

2000 - 1001

5

1000 - 501

6

500 and Under, and not less than 65'
  1. NOAA vessels, boats, and uncrewed maritime systems shorter than 65’ in length regardless of power tonnage are not subject to this Order.

SECTION 5. RESPONSIBILITIES.

  1. It is the responsibility of the Director of OMAO to determine the class of each vessel of the NOAA Fleet.
  2. In the event of extensive modifications to a NOAA vessel that affects its horsepower or gross tonnage, Director of OMAO will review the new power tonnage and reclassify the vessel, if necessary.

SECTION 6. REFERENCES

international Convention on Tonnage Measurements of Ships. (1969)

SECTION 7. EFFECT ON OTHER ISSUANCES.

  1. This Order supersedes NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 217-108, dated October 1, 2013.
  2. The NOAA UNSEC signs because there is no delegation of authority for this to OMAO.

An electronic copy of this Order will be posted in place of the superseded Order on the NOAA Office of the Chief Administrative Officer website under the NOAA Administrative Issuances Section.

.

Signed,

Under Secretary of Commerce for
Oceans and Atmosphere

Office of Primary Interest:
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer