The U.S. Coast Guard has introduced a new set of cybersecurity regulations — 33 CFR Part 101 Subpart F — that will significantly change how maritime organizations evaluate and safeguard their digital environments. For the first time, vessels and shoreside facilities operating in U.S. waters must follow standardized, enforceable cyberrisk-management practices, and key deadlines are drawing near.
Subpart F calls for each covered operator to implement a formal, Coast Guard-approved cybersecurity plan. This includes appointing a cybersecurity officer capable of responding around the clock, conducting routine cyber assessments and annual audits, and embedding cyber incident response procedures into daily operational workflows. The rule also requires ongoing personnel training, documentation of all compliance activities, and timely remediation of any vulnerabilities identified by the Coast Guard or internal reviews.
Several compliance dates have already been set. Designated personnel must complete cybersecurity training by January 2026, and full cybersecurity plan submissions are due by July 2027. Organizations that wait too long risk enforcement consequences, delays, or in some cases, operational disruptions if vessels or facilities are found out of compliance.
The scope of the rule is extensive. It covers U.S.-flagged vessels, maritime facilities governed by 33 CFR Part 105, offshore energy installations, and any entity responsible for the information or operational technology systems supporting them. Meeting these obligations will require collaboration between operational teams, cybersecurity professionals, and IT departments.
Critical positions under the new framework include cybersecurity officers and deputy officers, analysts, incident response engineers, and personnel responsible for training and compliance oversight. Many maritime operators may need outside expertise or supplemental staff to build these capabilities effectively.
As the maritime industry prepares for the upcoming deadlines, early action remains the most reliable strategy. Establishing defined cybersecurity roles, documented processes, and tested response procedures now will help organizations meet the Coast Guard’s expectations — and avoid last-minute compliance pressure — as 2027 approaches.
