[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 8, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 30075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-12647]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG-2025-0193]
Cancellation of Obsolete Navigation and Vessel Inspection
Circulars
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Announcement of decision.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the cancellation of three obsolete
Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs). NVICs are guidance
documents issued by the Coast Guard that do not have the force of law.
However, NVICs ensure Coast Guard inspections and other regulatory
actions conducted by field personnel are complete and consistent.
Similarly, the marine industry and the general public rely on NVICs as
a way to assess how the Coast Guard will enforce certain regulations or
conduct various marine safety programs. Thus, it is important that the
public is made aware when NVICs are cancelled so as to avoid confusion.
DATES: The NVICs were cancelled on July 2, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document
call or email CDR Jake Lobb, Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-1410, email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background and Purpose
A Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) provides
detailed guidance about the enforcement or compliance with a certain
Federal marine safety regulations and Coast Guard marine safety
programs. While NVIC's are non-directive, meaning that they do not have
the force of law, they are important ``tools'' for helping the public
comply with the law. To best serve the public and maritime industry,
the Coast Guard is reviewing and actively managing its inspections
policy to ensure that all published NVICs are consistent with current
practices.
The Coast Guard is issuing this document under 5 U.S.C. 552. This
document serves to inform the public about the cancellation and removal
of certain obsolete and outdated Coast Guard NVICs. The Coast Guard
wishes to reduce confusion to the public by removing NVICs that do not
reflect current practices and that potentially conflict with more
modern guidance.
NVICs Being Cancelled
1. NVIC 11-91 OCEAN TOW OF JACKUP DRILLING UNITS called attention
to the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) booklet
entitled ``General Ocean Tow recommendations for Jackup Drilling
Units'' dated February 13, 1991. The only purpose of the NVIC was to
call attention to this publication. It has no additional guidance, and
the guidance referenced in the NVIC is now dated and no longer needed.
2. NVIC 10-97 GUIDELINES FOR CARGO SECURING MANUAL APPROVAL
provided guidance on the applicability, preparation, and approval of
Cargo Securing Manuals (CSM). The NVIC discussed the initiation of a
rulemaking that would specify U.S. flag vessel CSM responsibilities,
establish U.S. CSM Approval Authority responsibilities, and identify
application and selection procedures for organizations seeking U.S. CSM
Approval Authority delegation. This rulemaking is complete, and the
regulations can be found in 33 CFR part 97. The NVIC is no longer
needed.
3. NVIC 8-00 GUIDANCE REGARDING ENFORCEMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL
CONVENTION FOR SAFE CONTAINERS (CSC), 1972, FOR FREIGHT CONTAINERS WITH
ONE DOOR REMOVED provided guidance regarding the transportation of
commodities in freight containers meeting the International Convention
for Safe Containers (CSC) construction and inspection requirements,
where one door has been removed to provide extra ventilation for
cargoes being transported. Guidance includes marking of the Safety
Approval Plate and testing requirements. CSC was updated in 2010 and
2013 to include standards specific to the marking and structural
testing requirements for one door off operation. The NVIC is no longer
needed.
Dated: July 2, 2025.
J.G. Lantz,
Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards (CG-5PS).
[FR Doc. 2025-12647 Filed 7-7-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P