NVIC 01-88: Change of service voyage conditions for load line

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This Circular transmits a change to NVIC 1-88 dated 5 February 1988. It clarifies the conditions under which a change of service voyage may be made. It replaces conditions 3.f.(4) and 3.f.(7) with new wording on distance from shore and weather forecasts.

What it says

  1. The Circular transmits a change to NVIC 1-88 to clarify the conditions under which a change of service voyage may be made.

    NVIC 01-88 1“It provides the marine industry with clarification of the conditions under which a change of service voyage may be made.”

  2. Paragraph 3.f. of NVIC 1-88 identifies 7 conditions that must be satisfied for a change of service voyage under the NVIC.

    NVIC 01-88 2“Paragraph 3.f. of NVIC 1-88 identifies 7 conditions which must be satisfied for a change of service voyage under the NVIC.”

  3. Condition (4) now reads that the vessel remains within 50 miles from shore throughout the voyage.

    NVIC 01-88 3.a“The vessel remains within 50 miles from shore throughout the voyage.”

  4. Condition (7) now calls for a forecast for at least the next 12 hours of winds of less than 50 knots and waves of less than 5 feet along the intended route, at all times during the voyage.

    NVIC 01-88 3.b“At all times during the voyage, the weather forecast for at least the next 12 hours calls for winds of less than 50 knots and waves of less than 5 feet along the intended route.”

  5. Weather forecasts are to be updated at least every 12 hours.

    NVIC 01-88 3.b“Weather forecasts are to be updated at least every 12 hours.”

Common questions

What is the maximum distance from shore on a change of service voyage under NVIC 1-88?

Under the revised condition (4), the vessel remains within 50 miles from shore throughout the voyage.

“The vessel remains within 50 miles from shore throughout the voyage.”

How often must weather forecasts be updated on a change of service voyage?

Under the revised condition (7), weather forecasts are to be updated at least every 12 hours.

“Weather forecasts are to be updated at least every 12 hours.”

Why was Change 1 to NVIC 1-88 issued?

It clarifies the conditions under which a change of service voyage may be made. Condition (4) and condition (7) were reworded to make the intent clear.

“It provides the marine industry with clarification of the conditions under which a change of service voyage may be made.”

The text of NVIC 01-88

U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 01-88 (main body; enclosures not shown)

Ch-1 to 01-88, International Load Line Certificates for Small Passenger Vessels Operating Within 20 Miles of the Mouth of a Harbor of Safe Refuge

NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 1-88, CHANGE 1 Subj: CH-1 to NVIC 1-88, "International Load Line Certificates for Small Passenger Vessels Operating Within 20 Miles of the Mouth of a Harbor of Safe Refuge"

Ch-1 to 01-88, International Load Line Certificates for Small Passenger Vessels Operating Within 20 Miles of the Mouth of a Harbor of Safe Refuge — PURPOSE. This Circular transmits a change to NVIC 1-88 dated 5 February 1988. It provides the marine industry with clarification of the conditions under which a change of service voyage may be made.

PURPOSE. This Circular transmits a change to NVIC 1-88 dated 5 February 1988. It provides the marine industry with clarification of the conditions under which a change of service voyage may be made.

Ch-1 to 01-88, International Load Line Certificates for Small Passenger Vessels Operating Within 20 Miles of the Mouth of a Harbor of Safe Refuge — SUMMARY OF CHANGES. Paragraph 3.f. of NVIC 1-88 identifies 7 conditions which must be satisfied for a change of service voyage under the NVIC. Condition (4) was intended to limit the maximum distance from shore during the change of service voyage to 50 miles, i.e., a voyage of more than 100 miles. To clarify this intent and avoid any misinterpretatio

2. SUMMARY OF CHANGES. Paragraph 3.f. of NVIC 1-88 identifies 7 conditions which must be satisfied for a change of service voyage under the NVIC. Condition (4) was intended to limit the maximum distance from shore during the change of service voyage to 50 miles, i.e., a voyage of more than 100 miles. To clarify this intent and avoid any misinterpretation on this point, the wording of condition (4) has been modified. In addition, to clarify the intention that a current and favorable 12 hour weather forecast is maintained for the entire voyage, the wording of condition (7) has been modified.

Ch-1 to 01-88, International Load Line Certificates for Small Passenger Vessels Operating Within 20 Miles of the Mouth of a Harbor of Safe Refuge — IMPLEMENTATION. Make the following pen and ink changes to page 4 of the subject NVIC:

a. Delete existing subparagraph 3.f.(4) and insert the following sentence: "The vessel remains within 50 miles from shore throughout the voyage." b. Delete existing subparagraph 3.f.(7) and insert the following: "At all times during the voyage, the weather forecast for at least the next 12 hours calls for winds of less than 50 knots and waves of less than 5 feet along the intended route. Weather forecasts are to be updated at least every 12 hours." J. D. SIPES Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Chief, Office of Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection Non-Standard Distribution: C:e New Orleans (90); Baltimore (45); Alameda (40); Port Arthur, Honolulu, Puget Sound (35); Miami, Mobile, Long Beach, Morgan City (25); Norfolk, Jacksonville, Portland OR (20); Boston, Portland ME, Charleston, Anchorage, Galveston (15); Cleveland (12); Louisville, Memphis, Paducah, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Savannah, San Juan, Tampa, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Milwaukee, San Diego, Juneau, Valdez (10); Providence, Huntington, Wilmington, Corpus Christi, Toledo (5). C:m New York (70); Philadelphia (35); Houston (25); St. Ignace (5); Sturgeon Bay (4). D:l CG Liaison Officer MILSEALIFTCOM (Code M-4E4), CG Liaison Officer RSPA (DHM-22), CG Liaison Officer MARAD (MAR-720.1), CG Liaison Officer JUSMAPHIL (1). ZTC-68

The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.