Voluntary UPV 5-Star Safety Program
Alaska's uninspected passenger vessel (UPV) fleet has grown dramatically in the last decade from approximately 1600 in 1999 to over 3000 in 2009. While this industry has an excellent safety record, the risk of an incident remains significant due to Alaska's harsh maritime environment. To help manage this risk, the 17th Coast Guard District and Alaska's charter operators have instituted a voluntary dockside examination program to ensure that all regulatory requirements are satisfied. In addition, UPVs that participate in Alaska's unique, voluntary 5-Star Safety Program carry additional safety equipment beyond that required by regulation.
About Alaska 5 Star Program
Our Program
Past marine accidents and Alaska's harsh operating environment pointed to the need for an increase in the level of safety equipment that extends beyond the minimum required by regulation. Charter operators who choose to participate in the 5-STAR SAFETY PROGRAM have met all the regulatory requirements, received the UPV decal, and have voluntarily invested in additional safety equipment. There are a total of 5 voluntary safety related items. The level of additional equipment is indicated by the number of safety stars displayed on the UPV decal. One star will be awarded for each additional measure properly implemented and imaintained on board these vessels.
5 Star Rating
One safety star will be awarded for each of the five items listed above. The list of safety items is not meant to be in a fixed, specific order, where prior to getting to the next level you'd need to obtain all the preceding safety gear. Vessels are given credit for safety gear that is installed and properly maintained, regardless of order. A 1-star vessel would meet one of the requirements, while a 5 Star vessel would carry safety equipment substantially in excess of Coast Guard regulations, including an EPIRB, inflatable life raft or inflatable buoyant apparatus, back up handheld communications capability, and high-water bilge alarms with high-capacity bilge pump.
- Vessel is in compliance with existing regulations including the requirements found in 46 CFR, Subchapter C and the operator must also have a safety-training program established and a system of record keeping showing drills and training are conducted regularly. The program should include drills on emergency procedures and use of safety equipment.
- Vessel has a properly installed bilge pump and audible bilge alarm, or if the vessel is designed without a bilge, suitable reserve buoyancy to float the vessel in a totally swamped condition.
- Vessel has a handheld VHF FM radio with a minimum 5 watts of power. A portable satellite phone can be used as an equivalent level of safety.
- Vessel has a properly mounted and registered 406 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), Class I or II.
- Vessel has on board, a properly installed and serviced, Coast Guard approved inflatable life raft or inflatable buoyant apparatus (IBA), canister or valise type, with minimum capacity for all passengers on board. An equivalent level of safety is level floatation vessel that meets Coast Guard standards or, if the vessel operates exclusively inside the Boundary Line, a commercial quality inflatable skiff in good condition that is fully inflated, stowed for immediate use, and has the capacity equal to the total number of passengers carried.