NVIC 02-85: Notifying Coast Guard of load line violations
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
NVIC 2-85 is Coast Guard guidance for authorized assigning authorities on notifying the Coast Guard when load line violations are detected. The senior local surveyor will immediately notify the cognizant OCMI of listed conditions found during a load line survey. The Coast Guard keeps primary enforcement authority.
Applies toThe guidance applies to ABS and other authorized load line assigning authorities, and it also advises the marine industry.
What it says
The load line assigning authority cannot cancel, withdraw, or revoke a Load Line Certificate that has been issued to a vessel.
NVIC 02-85 a.“The load line assigning authority is without authority to cancel, withdraw, or revoke a Load Line Certificate which has been issued to a vessel.”
The assigning authority keeps the authority and responsibility to refuse to issue, reissue or endorse a Load Line Certificate if unsatisfactory conditions are found on board, as specified in 46 CFR 42.09-45(b).
NVIC 02-85 a.“The assigning authority does retain the authority and responsibility to refuse to issue) reissue or endorse a Load Line Certificate if unsatisfactory conditions are found on board the vessel”
All portions of the vessel concerned with the load line assignment and survey must be made accessible to the assigning authority's surveyor.
NVIC 02-85 b.“All portions of the vessel concerned with the load line assignment and survey must be made accessible to the surveyor of the assigning authority.”
The senior local surveyor of ABS or another authorized assigning authority will immediately notify the cognizant OCMI in whose zone the vessel is located if any listed condition is detected during a survey for load line purposes.
NVIC 02-85 a.“The senior local surveyor of ABS or other authorized assigning authority will immediately notify the cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) in whose zone the vessel is located”
The cognizant OCMI shall also be notified if vessel deficiencies are not corrected so as to preclude issuing, reissuing, extending, or endorsing the Load Line Certificate.
NVIC 02-85 b.“The cognizant OCMI shall also be notified if vessel deficiencies are not corrected so as to preclude the issuance, reissuance, extension, or endorsement of the Load Line Certificate.”
An OCMI who receives notification is to take the action deemed necessary to ensure compliance with applicable U.S. law and regulation and to provide for the safety of life and property.
NVIC 02-85 c.“is to take such action as is deemed necessary to insure compliance with applicable U.S. law and regulation and provide for the safety of life and property.”
ABS New York or another authorized assigning authority will notify Commandant (G-MVI) if a vessel becomes overdue for a required load line survey.
NVIC 02-85 d.(2)“If a vessel becomes overdue for a required load line survey.”
Common questions
Can a load line assigning authority revoke a Load Line Certificate?
No. The assigning authority cannot cancel, withdraw, or revoke an issued certificate, though it may refuse to issue, reissue or endorse one.
“The load line assigning authority is without authority to cancel, withdraw, or revoke a Load Line Certificate which has been issued to a vessel.”
Who has primary enforcement authority for load lines?
The Coast Guard retains the primary enforcement authority for load line purposes.
“The Coast Guard retains the primary enforcement authority for load line purposes.”
What can an OCMI do after being notified of a load line violation?
The OCMI is to take the action deemed necessary, which may include removing the Load Line Certificate or starting procedures to detain the vessel in port. The listed actions are not a limit.
“Such action may include, but is not limited to:”
What happens if a surveyor is denied access to part of a vessel?
The senior local surveyor will immediately notify the cognizant OCMI if the surveyor is denied access to any part of the vessel required to be inspected or surveyed for load line purposes.
“The surveyor is denied access to any part of the vessel that is required to be inspected or surveyed for load line purposes.”
The text of NVIC 02-85
U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 02-85 (main body; enclosures not shown)
Notification to the U.S. Coast Guard for Enforcement of Load Line Requirements
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNITED STATES COAST GUARD U.S. Coast Guard (G-MVI-1) Washington, D.C. 20593 Phone: (202) 426-1464 NVIC 2-85 11 Mar 1985 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 2-85 Subj: Notification to the U.S. Coast Guard for Enforcement of Load Line Requirements
Notification to the U.S. Coast Guard for Enforcement of Load Line Requirements — PURPOSE. The purpose of this Circular is to provide guidance to authorized assigning authorities
concerning notification to the U.S. Coast Guard when violations of load line requirements are detected. This Circular also advises the marine industry of this guidance.
Notification to the U.S. Coast Guard for Enforcement of Load Line Requirements — DISCUSSION.
a. The International Load Line Act (46 USC 86-86i), the Coastwise Load Line Act (46 USC 88-88i), and the load line regulations (46 CFR Subchapter E) authorize the Coast Guard to appoint the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) or other recognized classification society to act on behalf of the United States for the assignment of load lines and surveys of vessels. The load line assigning authority is without authority to cancel, withdraw, or revoke a Load Line Certificate which has been issued to a vessel. The assigning authority does retain the authority and responsibility to refuse to issue) reissue or endorse a Load Line Certificate if unsatisfactory conditions are found on board the vessel as specified in 46 CFR 42.09-45(b). The Coast Guard retains the primary enforcement authority for load line purposes. b. In order to effectively enforce the laws and regulations concerning load lines, the Coast Guard must be aware of violations of these requirements. The assigning authorities are in the position where they can readily detect situations requiring enforcement actions. It is emphasized that the assigning authority is aboard a vessel on behalf of the U.S. Government when conducting examinations, tests, or surveys for load line purposes. All portions of the vessel concerned with the load line assignment and survey must be made accessible to the surveyor of the assigning authority.
Notification to the U.S. Coast Guard for Enforcement of Load Line Requirements — ACTION.
a. The senior local surveyor of ABS or other authorized assigning authority will immediately notify the cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) in whose zone the vessel is located if any of the following are detected during a survey of a vessel for purposes related to the vessel's load line:
(1) Conditions of assignment have not been maintained as required in the load line regulations to the extent to require certificate cancellation.
(2) Repairs or alterations have been made to the vessel without approval of the assigning and issuing authority which require an assignment of increased freeboard. NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 2-85
(3) The required fittings and appliances (guardrails, freeing ports, hatch covers) doors, bulkheads, securing and closing devices, etc.) are not maintained in an effective condition.
(4) The structural strength of the vessel has deteriorated or is lowered so as to question the safety of the vessel.
(5) The load line certificate has not been endorsed to show that the vessel has been surveyed annually or periodically in accordance with the requirements of the regulations.
(6) The surveyor is denied access to any part of the vessel that is required to be inspected or surveyed for load line purposes. b. The cognizant OCMI shall also be notified if vessel deficiencies are not corrected so as to preclude the issuance, reissuance, extension, or endorsement of the Load Line Certificate. c. An OCMI receiving notification of violations or deficiencies of load line requirements is to take such action as is deemed necessary to insure compliance with applicable U.S. law and regulation and provide for the safety of life and property. Such action may include, but is not limited to:
(1) Removal of the vessel's Load Line Certificate.
(2) Initiation of procedures to detain vessel in port.
(3) Initiation of civil and/or criminal penalty proceedings as provided in law and regulation.
(4) Initiation of Suspension and Revocation proceedings, if applicable.
(5) Revocation of the vessel's Certificate of Inspection, if applicable. d. ABS New York or other authorized assigning authorities will notify Commandant (G- MVI) of the following:
(1) When it is found that false or fraudulent information was submitted in or with the application for a load line certificate, or
(2) If a vessel becomes overdue for a required load line survey. NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 2-85 NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: C:e Baltimore (45); Alameda (40); Port Arthur, Honolulu) Puget Sound (35); Miami, Mobile) Long Beach (25); Norfolk, Jacksonville, Portland OR(20); Boston, Portland ME, Charleston, Anchorage
(15); Cleveland (12), Cincinnati, Louisville, Memphis, Nashville, Paducah, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Savannah, San Juan, Tampa, Galveston, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Milwaukee, San Diego, Juneau, Valdez (10); Providence, Huntington, Wilmington, Corpus Christi, Toledo (5). C:m New Orleans (140); New York (70); Philadelphia (35); Houston (25); St. Ignace (5); Sturgeon Bay
(4). D:l CG Liaison Officer MILSEALIFTCOMD M-65 STRAT MOB, CG Liaison Officer JUSMAGPHIL (1). ZTC-68
Sections it refers to
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.