NVIC 01-89: Underwater survey guidance in lieu of drydocking

U.S. Department of Commandant U.S. Coast Guard Stop 7501 Homeland Security United States Coast Guard 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE Washington, DC 20593-XXXX Staff Symbol: CG-CVC United States Phone: (202) 372-1210 Coast Guard Email: CGCVC@uscg.mil COMDTPUB P16700.4 NVIC 01-89, CH-1 30 MAY 2025 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR (NVIC) NO. 01-89, CH-1 Subj: UNDERWATER SURVEY GUIDANCE

UNDERWATER SURVEY GUIDANCE (UWILD) — PURPOSE. This circular provides guidance to Coast Guard and marine industry personnel

on implementation of regulations for Underwater Survey in lieu of Drydocking (UWILD)1.

UNDERWATER SURVEY GUIDANCE (UWILD) — ACTION. Coast Guard personnel responsible for conducting drydock examinations

should adhere to this circular. Members of the public may refer to this circular for additional guidance on UWILD.

UNDERWATER SURVEY GUIDANCE (UWILD) — AUTHORIZED RELEASE. Internet release is authorized.

AUTHORIZED RELEASE. Internet release is authorized.

UNDERWATER SURVEY GUIDANCE (UWILD) — PUBLICATIONS AFFECTED. NVIC 01-89 is superseded. All references to NVIC 01-

89 in other Coast Guard policies should use this version. Where this circular conflicts with COMDTINST 16000.71, this circular takes precedence.

UNDERWATER SURVEY GUIDANCE (UWILD) — DISCUSSION. After extensive study throughout the 1980’s, the Coast Guard authorized

limited ship types to participate in UWILD as an optional method of crediting required hull exams. NVIC 1-89 was subsequently promulgated to provide guidance to vessel owners, operators, and Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMIs) in 1989. Since that time, eligibility has been expanded to additional vessel types, technological advancements have changed the manner in which UWILDs are conducted, and classification societies have developed more comprehensive standards related to UWILD, necessitating this change.

UNDERWATER SURVEY GUIDANCE (UWILD) — ENCLOSURES. Enclosures (1) and (2) provide guidance for implementing UWILD

regulations. The enclosures apply as follows: a. Enclosure (1): Underwater Survey Guidance for Classed Vessels. Enclosure (1) applies to vessels that are subject to inspection pursuant to 46 USC 3301, classed by an Authorized Classification Society (ACS)2, and obtain and maintain the corresponding classification 1 Regulations specific to UWILD are found in the vessel-specific Subchapters of Title 46 C.F.R., Chapter I as noted in Enclosure 1. 2 Classification means that ship complies with the rules of a classification society related to quality, safety, and reliability of ships. For the purposes of this circular, an ACS is a classification society that has been authorized to issue a Cargo Ship Safety Construction or International Loadline Certificate on behalf of the Coast Guard. COMDTPUB P16700.4 society notation related to underwater surveys. Enclosure (1) leverages classification society delegations to streamline implementation of UWILD regulations. b. Enclosure (2): Underwater Survey Guidance for Unclassed Vessels3. Enclosure (2) provides underwater survey guidance for all other vessels subject to inspection and seeking to conduct a UWILD. In addition, it provides additional guidance for Inspected Towing Vessels (ITVs) enrolled in the Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) option of 46 CFR Subchapter M.

UNDERWATER SURVEY GUIDANCE (UWILD) — DISCLAIMER. This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is

it itself a regulation. It is not intended, nor does it impose legally binding requirements on any party. It represents the Coast Guard’s current thinking on this topic and is issued for guidance purposes to outline methods of best practice for compliance with applicable law. An alternative approach may be taken if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.

UNDERWATER SURVEY GUIDANCE (UWILD) — MAJOR CHANGES. This change eliminates duplicative administrative processes for

classed vessels and authorizes the use of ACS service suppliers including divers and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) operators. It also eliminates UWILD enrollment letters and relies on classification society notations or Certificate of Inspection (COI) endorsements to denote UWILD eligibility.

UNDERWATER SURVEY GUIDANCE (UWILD) — ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS. The Office of

Environmental Management, Commandant (CG-47) reviewed this publication, and the general policies contained within, and determined that this policy falls under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) categorical exclusion A3. This publication will not result in any substantial change to existing environmental conditions or violation of any applicable federal, state, or local laws relating to the protection of the environment. It is the responsibility of the action proponent to evaluate all future specific actions resulting from this policy for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), other applicable environmental requirements, and the U.S. Coast Guard Environmental Planning Policy, COMDTINST 5090.1 (series).

UNDERWATER SURVEY GUIDANCE (UWILD) — DISTRIBUTION. No paper distribution will be made of this Change. An electronic version

will be located on the following Commandant (CG-DCO) web site https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/NVIC/.

UNDERWATER SURVEY GUIDANCE (UWILD) — RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS. Records created as a result of this

publication, regardless of format or media, must be managed in accordance with Records & Information Management Program Roles & Responsibilities, COMDTINST 5212.12 (series).

UNDERWATER SURVEY GUIDANCE (UWILD) — FORMS. None.

FORMS. None.

UNDERWATER SURVEY GUIDANCE (UWILD) — REPORTS. None.

3 An unclassed vessel is one that is not classified by a classification society and has not undergone the survey process required for a classed vessel. COMDTPUB P16700.4

UNDERWATER SURVEY GUIDANCE (UWILD) — SECTION 508. This publication is created to adhere to accessibility guidelines and

standards as promulgated by the U.S. Access Board with consideration of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) requirements. The customer experience (CX), plain language, and service delivery improvements were considered. If modifications are needed for this artifact, please communicate with the Section 508 Program Management Office (PMO) at Section.508@uscg.mil. Concerns or complaints for non-compliance of policy or artifacts may be directed to the Section 508 PMO, the Civil Rights Directorate for the Coast Guard, or to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at accessibility@hq.dhs.gov .

UNDERWATER SURVEY GUIDANCE (UWILD) — QUESTIONS. All requests for changes or questions regarding this circular should be

directed to Commandant (CG-CVC) staff at CGCVC@uscg.mil . W. R. ARGUIN Rear Admiral, U. S. Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy Enclosures: (1) Underwater Survey Guidance for Classed Vessels (2) Underwater Survey Guidance for Unclassed Vessels