Friend of mine is interested in obtaining uscg approval for his ship.
Does this process sound about right?:

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mse/lablist/lablist.html

U. S. Coast Guard Accepted Independent Laboratory Database

Preliminary equipment assessment; all equipment must be tested though
one of these independent laboratories and a "follow up" agreement
must be conducted. You may also request a "wheelmark" from the
Coast Guard which is an accreditation that is required for equipment
placed on board ships for which safety certificates are issued by, or
on behalf of, Member States of the European Union.

The "follow ups" comply with the quality control system required by
5.2.2 of the FTP code.

U. S. Flag vessels must be marked with USCG approval number. The
mentioned "wheelmark" is required for European Vessels.

http://cgmix.uscg.mil/Equipment/Sear...entSearch.aspx

This site has an "Approved Equipment Listing" which can be used to
find USCG approved equipment as specified by the MRA.

So basically we need to get the equipment tested by and independent
laboratory, schedule a follow up, and then wait and see if we're
approved? Is it that simple? (I doubt it)

Any information you can pass my way would be much appreciated. Thanks.