NVIC 03-16: Credentialing officers of towing vessels guidance
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
NVIC 03-16 is Coast Guard guidance on evaluating mariners for officer endorsements on towing vessels. The Coast Guard will use it with 46 CFR Part 11 to decide whether mariners are qualified. It also covers Towing Officer Assessment Records (TOARs) and Designated Examiners (DEs).
Applies toThe guidance covers mariners seeking officer endorsements for service on towing vessels and the Designated Examiners who assess them.
What it says
The Coast Guard will use NVIC 03-16 and 46 CFR Part 11 to establish whether mariners are qualified to hold officer endorsements for service on towing vessels.
NVIC 03-16 2.“The Coast Guard will use NVIC 03-16 and 46 CFR Part 11 to establish whether mariners are qualified to hold officer endorsements for service on towing vessels.”
This guidance is not a regulation and imposes no legally-binding requirements on any party.
NVIC 03-16 5.“This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a regulation.”
A mariner may use an alternative approach if it satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.
NVIC 03-16 5.“You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.”
Candidates for officer endorsements valid for towing vessels must demonstrate their practical ability to carry out certain professional duties and tasks.
NVIC 03-16 5.b.1)“Candidates for officer endorsements valid for towing vessels must demonstrate their practical ability to carry out certain professional duties and tasks.”
Designated Examiners wishing to use alternative tasks or criteria must obtain prior written approval from the NMC for the proposed tasks and assessment criteria.
NVIC 03-16 5.b.2)“DEs wishing to conduct assessments using alternative tasks and/or criteria to assess candidates must obtain prior written approval from the NMC for the proposed tasks and assessment criteria.”
The Coast Guard will not accept a TOAR signed by someone who is not approved as a DE, or by a DE who lacks approval for the task or route.
NVIC 03-16 5.c.1)“A TOAR signed by someone not approved as a DE, or by a DE who does not hold approval for the task/route, will not be accepted.”
Successful completion of a TOAR may not be used in place of STCW assessments.
NVIC 03-16 5.b.5)“successful completion of a TOAR may not be used in lieu of STCW assessments.”
Common questions
Is NVIC 03-16 a regulation?
No. It is guidance and does not itself impose legally-binding requirements on any party.
“It is not intended to, nor does it impose legally-binding requirements on any party.”
Who can sign a Towing Officer Assessment Record (TOAR)?
Only a DE approved by the Coast Guard for the specific task or tasks and the specific route or routes may sign a TOAR.
“A TOAR may only be signed by DEs approved by the Coast Guard to conduct assessments and sign TOARs for the specific task(s) and upon the specific route(s).”
What did Change 7 to NVIC 03-16 do?
It restored omitted portions of Enclosure (3), the Great Lakes & Inland TOAR.
“This Commandant Change Notice revises NVIC 03-16 to restore inadvertently omitted portions of Enclosure (3), the Great Lakes & Inland TOAR.”
Where do mariners check a Designated Examiner's approval status?
Mariners may check the approval status of a DE from the NMC website at http://www.uscg.mil/nmc.
“Mariners may check the approval status of a DE from the NMC website at http://www.uscg.mil/nmc.”
The text of NVIC 03-16
U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 03-16 (main body; enclosures not shown)
CH-7 Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721
Commandant 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE United States Coast Guard Stop 7509 Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC Phone: (202) 372-2357 Fax: (202) 372-4908 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 03-16 September 9, 2024 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 03-16, CH-7 Subj: CHANGE 7 TO GUIDELINES FOR CREDENTIALING OFFICERS OF TOWING VESSELS, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB
CH-7 Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 — PURPOSE. This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-7 to NVIC 03-16.
PURPOSE. This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-7 to NVIC 03-16.
CH-7 Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 — ACTION. The Coast Guard will use NVIC 03-16 and 46 CFR Part 11 to establish whether
mariners are qualified to hold officer endorsements for service on towing vessels.
CH-7 Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 — DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, NVIC 03-16
is updated.
CH-7 Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 — DISCUSSION. The Coast Guard has become aware that a portion of Enclosure (3), the Great
Lakes & Inland Towing Officer Assessment Record (TOAR), was inadvertently omitted in past changes to NVIC 03-16. This Commandant Change Notice remedies that error and restores the omitted portions of the TOAR.
CH-7 Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 — DISCLAIMER. This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it
itself a regulation. It is not intended to, 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. You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 170 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B X X X X C X X D E X X F G H X X NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: Subj: CHANGE 7 TO GUIDELINES FOR CREDENTIALING COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 OFFICERS OF TOWING VESSELS, NVIC 03-16, NVIC 03-16 COMDTPUB 16721
CH-7 Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 — MAJOR CHANGES. This Commandant Change Notice revises NVIC 03-16 to restore
inadvertently omitted portions of Enclosure (3), the Great Lakes & Inland TOAR. The omitted portions being restored consist of one task for maneuvering a “light boat” (task number CE-D.1) and general guidance to Designated Examiners concerning part D of the TOAR.
CH-7 Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 — ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS.
a. The development of this Commandant Change Notice and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed under Department of Homeland Security Directive 023-01, Rev.1, and Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series) office, and are categorically excluded (CE) from further environmental analysis under paragraph #A3 in Table 3-1 of U.S. Coast Guard Environmental Planning Implementing Procedures 5090.1. Because this Commandant Change Notice implements, without substantive change, the applicable Commandant Instruction or other federal agency regulations, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, Coast Guard categorical exclusion #A3 is appropriate. b. This Commandant Change Notice will not have any of the following: significant cumulative impacts on the human environment; substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions; or inconsistencies with any Federal, State, or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment. All future specific actions resulting from the general policies in this Commandant Change Notice must be individually evaluated for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), DHS and Coast Guard NEPA policy, and compliance with all other environmental mandates.
CH-7 Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 — DISTRIBUTION. Notice. An electronic version of NVIC 03-16 as revised by this
Commandant Change Notice will be located at https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our- Organization/NVIC/.
CH-7 Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 — PROCEDURE. Remove and insert the following pages:
Remove Insert Enclosure (3) Enclosure (3) CH-7
CH-7 Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 — RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATONS. This Commandant Change Notice has
been thoroughly reviewed during the directives clearance process, and it has been determined there are no further records scheduling requirements, in accordance with the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), NARA requirements, and the Information and Life Cycle Management Manual, COMDTINST M5212.12 (series). This policy does not create significant or substantial change to existing records management requirements.
CH-7 Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 — FORMS/REPORTS. None.
Commandant 2703 Martin Luther King Jr.
Ave SE United States Coast Guard Stop 7509 Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC Phone: (202) 372-2357 Fax: (202) 372-4908 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 03-16 December 15, 2023 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 03-16, CH-6 Subj: CHANGE 6 TO GUIDELINES FOR CREDENTIALING OFFICERS OF TOWING VESSELS, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 1.
PURPOSE.
This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-6 to NVIC 03-16. 2.
ACTION.
The Coast Guard will use NVIC 03-16 and 46 CFR Part 11 to establish whether mariners are qualified to hold officer endorsements for service on towing vessels. 3.
DIRECTIVES AFFECTED.
With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, NVIC 03-16 is updated. 4.
DISCUSSION.
The Coast Guard has become aware of confusion concerning the qualifications required for approval as a Designated Examiner (DE).
This Commandant Change Notices revises NVIC 03-16 provide clarity on the qualifications necessary for approval as a DE. 5.
DISCLAIMER.
This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a regulation.
It is not intended to, 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.
You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.
DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 170 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B X X X X C X X D E X X F G H X X NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: Subj: CHANGE 6 TO GUIDELINES FOR CREDENTIALING COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 OFFICERS OF TOWING VESSELS, NVIC 03-16, NVIC 03-16 COMDTPUB 16721 6.
MAJOR CHANGES.
This Commandant Change Notice revises NVIC 03-16 to provide clarification on the qualifications necessary to be approved as a Designated Examiner (DE).
Specifically, this change notice: a.
Revises paragraph 4.c to provide additional guidance on the qualifications for approval as a DE; and b.
Adds a new Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) no. 3 in Enclosure (1), and renumbers the remaining FAQs. 7.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS. a.
The development of this Commandant Change Notice and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed under Department of Homeland Security Directive 023-01, Rev.1, and Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series) office, and are categorically excluded (CE) from further environmental analysis under paragraph #A3 in Table 3-1 of U.S.
Coast Guard Environmental Planning Implementing Procedures 5090.1.
Because this Commandant Change Notice implements, without substantive change, the applicable Commandant Instruction or other federal agency regulations, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, Coast Guard categorical exclusion #A3 is appropriate. b.
This Commandant Change Notice will not have any of the following: significant cumulative impacts on the human environment; substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions; or inconsistencies with any Federal, State, or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment.
All future specific actions resulting from the general policies in this Commandant Change Notice must be individually evaluated for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), DHS and Coast Guard NEPA policy, and compliance with all other environmental mandates. 8.
DISTRIBUTION.
Notice.
An electronic version of NVIC 03-16 as revised by this Commandant Change Notice will be located at https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our- Organization/NVIC/. 9.
PROCEDURE.
Remove and insert the following pages: Remove Insert Pages 3 to 5 Pages 3 to 6 CH-6 Enclosure (1) CH-5 Enclosure (1) CH-6 10.
RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATONS.
This Commandant Change Notice has been thoroughly reviewed during the directives clearance process, and it has been determined there are no further records scheduling requirements, in accordance with the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), NARA requirements, and the Information and Life Cycle Commandant 2703 Martin Luther King Jr.
Ave SE United States Coast Guard Stop 7509 Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC Phone: (202) 372-2357 Fax: (202) 372-4908 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 03-16 February 2, 2023 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 03-16, CH-5 Subj: CHANGE 5 TO GUIDELINES FOR CREDENTIALING OFFICERS OF TOWING VESSELS, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 1.
PURPOSE.
This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-5 to NVIC 03-16. 2.
ACTION.
The Coast Guard will use NVIC 03-16 and 46 CFR Part 11 to establish whether mariners are qualified to hold officer endorsements for service on towing vessels. 3.
DIRECTIVES AFFECTED.
With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, NVIC 03-16 is updated. 4.
DISCUSSION.
This Commandant Change Notices revises NVIC 03-16 to remove transitional provisions that expired on March 24, 2019. 5.
DISCLAIMER.
This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a regulation.
It is not intended to, 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.
You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. 6.
MAJOR CHANGES.
This Commandant Change Notice revises NVIC 03-16 to remove expired grandfathering provisions.
Specifically, this change notice: a.
Deletes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) nos. 10 and 11 from Enclosure (1), and renumbers the remaining FAQs; and DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 170 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B X X X X C X X D E X X F G H X X NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 03-16 b.
Removes Enclosure (6), concerning the transition from previous Towing Officer Assessment Records (TOARs). 7.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS. a.
The development of this Commandant Change Notice and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed under Department of Homeland Security Directive 023-01, Rev.1, and Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series) office, and are categorically excluded (CE) from further environmental analysis under paragraph #A3 in Table 3-1 of U.S.
Coast Guard Environmental Planning Implementing Procedures 5090.1.
Because this Commandant Change Notice implements, without substantive change, the applicable Commandant Instruction or other federal agency regulations, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, Coast Guard categorical exclusion #A3 is appropriate. b.
This Commandant Change Notice will not have any of the following: significant cumulative impacts on the human environment; substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions; or inconsistencies with any Federal, State, or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment.
All future specific actions resulting from the general policies in this Commandant Change Notice must be individually evaluated for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), DHS and Coast Guard NEPA policy, and compliance with all other environmental mandates. 8.
DISTRIBUTION.
No paper distribution will be made of this Commandant Change Notice.
An electronic version will be located at https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/NVIC/. 9.
PROCEDURE.
Remove and insert the following pages: Remove Insert Enclosure (1) Enclosure (1) CH-5 Enclosure (6) There is no replacement for Enclosure (6) 10.
RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATONS.
This Commandant Change Notice has been thoroughly reviewed during the directives clearance process, and it has been determined there are no further records scheduling requirements, in accordance with the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), NARA requirements, and the Information and Life Cycle Management Manual, COMDTINST M5212.12 (series).
This policy does not create significant or substantial change to existing records management requirements. 11.
FORMS/REPORTS.
None.
CH-5 2 Commandant US Coast Guard Stop 7509 United States Coast Guard 2703 Martin Luther King Jr.
Ave.
SE Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC Phone: (202) 372-2357 Fax: (202) 372-1246 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 03-16 October 28, 2021 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 03-16, CH-4 Subj: CHANGE 4 TO GUIDELINES FOR CREDENTIALING OFFICERS OF TOWING VESSELS, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 1.
PURPOSE.
This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-4 to NVIC 03-16. 2.
ACTION.
The Coast Guard will use NVIC 03-16 and 46 CFR Part 11 to establish whether mariners are qualified to hold officer endorsements for service on towing vessels. 3.
DIRECTIVES AFFECTED.
With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, NVIC 03-16 is updated. 4.
DISCUSSION.
The Coast Guard has become aware of errors in the guidance to Designated Examiners (DEs) concerning conducting the assessment of tasks in several of the Towing Officer Assessment Records (TOARs).
The tasks relate to maneuvering with an empty tow, but the guidance to DEs indicates the candidate should maneuver a loaded tow.
This Commandant Change Notice revises the DE guidance for that task to correct these errors. 5.
DISCLAIMER.
This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a regulation.
It is not intended to, 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.
You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. 6.
MAJOR CHANGES.
This Commandant Change Notice revises the TOARs in Enclosures (3), (4) and
(5) to correct an error in the guidance to DEs. 7. ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS. a. The development of this Commandant Change Notice and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed under Department of Homeland Security Directive 023-01 and DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 170 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B X X X X C X X X D E X X F G H NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: Commandant US Coast Guard Stop 7509 United States Coast Guard 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC Phone: (202) 372-2357 Fax: (202) 372-1246 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 03-16 September 9, 2020 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 03-16, CH-3 Subj: CHANGE 3 TO GUIDELINES FOR CREDENTIALING OFFICERS OF TOWING VESSELS, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 1. PURPOSE. This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-3 to NVIC 03-16. 2. ACTION. The Coast Guard will use NVIC 03-16 and 46 CFR Part 11 to establish whether mariners are qualified to hold officer endorsements for service on towing vessels. 3. DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, NVIC 03-16 is updated. 4. DISCUSSION. a. The Coast Guard has become aware of confusion over the guidance to Designated Examiners
(DEs) concerning conducting the assessment of one of the “common element” tasks in the Towing Officer Assessment Records (TOARs). The DE guidance indicates the DE should designate a section of river to perform the assessment. Some of the routes covered by the TOARs may not include rivers. This Commandant Change Notices revises the DE guidance for that task to make it applicable to all routes. b. The Coast Guard has also become aware of confusion with regard to grandfathering for Basic Firefighting training for mariners holding an endorsement as Master of Towing Vessels
(Limited).
This change notice revises Enclosure (10) of NVIC 03-16 to clarify that these mariners do not need to complete firefighting training when renewing their endorsement or for a raise in grade to Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels. c.
NVIC 03-16 included grandfathering provisions that expired on March 24, 2019.
This change notice removes those expired provisions.
DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 170 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B X X X X C X X X D E X X F G H NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 03-16 5.
DISCLAIMER.
This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a regulation.
It is not intended to, 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.
You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. 6.
MAJOR CHANGES.
This Commandant Change Notice: a.
Revises the TOARs in Enclosures 2 through 5 to make the DE Guidance for the common element task no.
CE-C.2 applicable to all routes. b.
Clarifies that mariners holding an endorsement as Master of Towing Vessels (Limited) will not be required to complete Basic Firefighting when renewing their endorsement or when raising the grade of their endorsement to Mate (Pilot) or Master of Towing Vessels; and c.
Removes grandfathering provisions that expired on March 24, 2019. 7.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS. a.
The development of this Commandant Change Notice and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed under Department of Homeland Security Directive 023-01 and Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series) by the originating office, and are categorically excluded (CE) from further environmental analysis under paragraph #A3 in Table 3- 1 of U.S.
Coast Guard Environmental Planning Implementing Procedures 5090.1.
Because this Commandant Change Notice implements, without substantive change, the applicable Commandant Instruction or other federal agency regulations, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, Coast Guard categorical exclusion #A3 is appropriate. b.
This Commandant Change Notice will not have any of the following: significant cumulative impacts on the human environment; substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions; or inconsistencies with any Federal, State, or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment.
All future specific actions resulting from the general policies in this Commandant Change Notice must be individually evaluated for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), DHS and Coast Guard NEPA policy, and compliance with all other environmental mandates. 8.
DISTRIBUTION.
No paper distribution will be made of this Commandant Change Notice.
An electronic version will be located at https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/NVIC/.
COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 03-16 9.
PROCEDURE.
Remove and insert the following pages of NVIC 03-16: Remove Insert Enclosure (2), Page 10 Enclosure (2), Page 10 CH-3 Enclosure (3), Page 9 Enclosure (3), Page 9 CH-3 Enclosure (4), Page 9 Enclosure (4), Page 9 CH-3 Enclosure (5), Page 8 Enclosure (5), Page 8 CH-3 Enclosure (10) Enclosure (10) CH-3 10.
RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS.
This Commandant Change Notice has been thoroughly reviewed during the directives clearance process, and it has been determined there are no further records scheduling requirements, in accordance with the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), NARA requirements, and the Information and Life Cycle Management Manual, COMDTINST M5212.12 (series).
This policy does not create significant or substantial change to existing records management requirements. 11.
FORMS/REPORTS.
None.
CH-7 Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 — REQUEST FOR CHANGES. All requests for changes or questions regarding implementation of
Reference (a) and this Commandant Change Notice should be directed to the Mariner Credentialing Program Policy Division (CG-MMC-2), at (202) 372-2357 or MMCPolicy@uscg.mil.
To obtain approval for a course or training program, contact the NMC at (888) 427-5662 or IAskNMC@uscg.mil. /s/ R.
V.
TIMME Rear Admiral, U.
S.
Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy Commandant US Coast Guard Stop 7509 United States Coast Guard 2703 Martin Luther King Jr.
Ave.
SE Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC Phone: (202) 372-2357 Fax: (202) 372-1246 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 03-16 April 18, 2019 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 03-16, CH-2 Subj: CH-2 TO GUIDELINES FOR CREDENTIALING OFFICERS OF TOWING VESSELS, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 1.
PURPOSE.
This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-2 to NVIC 03-16. 2.
ACTION.
The Coast Guard will use NVIC 03-16, 46 CFR 11.463, 11.464, 11.465, and 11.466 to establish whether mariners are qualified to hold officer endorsements for service on towing vessels.
Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMIs) should bring this notice to the attention of the maritime industry within their zones of responsibility. 3.
DIRECTIVES AFFECTED.
With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, NVIC 03-16 is updated. 4.
DISCUSSION.
NVIC 03-16 included grandfathering provisions for mariners to qualify for towing vessel endorsements based on service in the oil and mineral industry before October 15, 2010.
Those grandfathering provisions expired on December 24, 2018, and this change notice removes the expired provisions.
This change notice also adds explanations on the continued use of Towing Officer Assessment Records (TOARs) from previous policy. 5.
DISCLAIMER.
This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a regulation.
It is not intended to, 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.
You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.
DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 168 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B X X X X C X X D E X X F G H X X NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 6.
MAJOR CHANGES.
This Commandant Change Notice revises the guidance NVIC 03-16 as follows: a.
Enclosure (1) is revised to add two “frequently asked questions” concerning the use of TOARs from previous policy after March 24, 2019; and b.
Enclosure (10) is revised to remove expired grandfathering provisions; clarify what firefighting training is required to increase the scope of a towing vessel endorsement to oceans; and to add information concerning the use of TOARs from previous policy after March 24, 2019. 7.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS. a.
The development of this Commandant Change Notice and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed by the originating office, and are categorically excluded (CE) under current CE #A3 from further environmental analysis, in accordance with Section 2.B.2 and Appendix A, DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Revision 01, Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Because this NVIC implements, without substantive change, the applicable Commandant Instruction or other federal agency regulations, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, Coast Guard categorical exclusion #A3 is appropriate. b.
This Commandant Change Notice will not have any of the following: significant cumulative impacts on the human environment; substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions; or inconsistencies with any Federal, State, or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment.
All future specific actions resulting from the general policies in this NVIC must be individually evaluated for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), DHS and Coast Guard NEPA policy, and compliance with all other environmental mandates. 8.
DISTRIBUTION.
No paper distribution will be made of this Commandant Change Notice.
An electronic version will be located at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvic. 9.
PROCEDURE.
Remove and insert the following pages of Reference (a): Remove Insert Page 5 Page 5 CH-2 Enclosure (1) Page 6 Enclosure (1) Page 6 CH-2 Enclosure (10) Enclosure (10) CH-2 10.
RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS.
This Commandant Change Notice has been thoroughly reviewed during the directives clearance process, and it has been determined there are no further records scheduling requirements, in accordance with the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), NARA requirements, and the Information and Life Cycle Management Manual, COMDTINST M5212.12 (series).
This policy does not create significant or substantial change to existing records management requirements. 11.
FORMS/REPORTS.
None.
Commandant US Coast Guard Stop 7509 United States Coast Guard 2703 Martin Luther King Jr.
Ave.
SE Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC Phone: (202) 372-2357 Fax: (202) 372-1246 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 03-16 September 28, 2017 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 03-16, CH 1 Subj: CH-1 TO GUIDELINES FOR CREDENTIALING OFFICERS OF TOWING VESSELS, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines for Credentialing Officers of Towing Vessels, NVIC 03-16, COMDTPUB 16721 1.
PURPOSE.
This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-1 to reference (a). 2.
ACTION.
The Coast Guard will use reference (a) and 46 CFR 11.463, 11.464, 11.465, and 11.466 to establish whether candidates are qualified to hold officer endorsements for service on towing vessels.
Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMIs) should also bring this notice to the attention of the maritime industry within their zones of responsibility. 3.
DIRECTIVES AFFECTED.
With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, reference (a) is updated. 4.
DISCUSSION. a.
After publication of reference (a), the Coast Guard became aware of errors in Enclosures (1), (4), and (6) of reference (a). b.
In Enclosure (1), FAQ nos. 10 and 11 stated that in order to continue to use the older TOARs, mariners must have begun their service or training before January 1, 2016.
This CH-1 will allow mariners to use the old TOARs until March 24, 2019, without reagard to when their service or training began. c.
In Enclosure (4), the Towing Officer Assessment Record (TOAR) for Western Rivers, there was an error in the “common element” tasks for maneuvering a towing vessel.
Common element task CE-D.3 repeated task CE-D.2, task CE-D.6 was omitted, and tasks CE-D.3 through CE-D.5 were numbered incorrectly.
This CH-1 corrects those errors.
DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 168 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B X X X X C X X D E X X F G H X X NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 d.
In Enclosure (6), the transition scheme for mariners to transition from use of the TOARS in the cancelled NVIC 4-01 stated that in order to continue to use the older TOARs, mariners must have begun their service or training before January 1, 2016.
Although NVIC 02-14 specifies that mariners must have began service training before March 24, 2014, in order to qualify for an endorsement under previous regulations and policy, the Coast Guard will allow all mariners to use the previous TOARs until March 24, 2019.
The Coast Guard believes this is a reasonable accommodation considering that the new TOARs in this NVIC were not published until June 23, 2016. 5.
DISCLAIMER.
This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a regulation.
It is not intended to, 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.
You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. 6.
MAJOR CHANGES.
This Commandant Change Notice corrects the guidance found in reference (a) concerning the TOAR for Western Rivers and the transition scheme for use of the TOARs from NVIC 4-01. 7.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS. a.
The development of this NVIC and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed by the originating office, and are categorically excluded (CE) under current USCG CE # 33 from further environmental analysis, in accordance with Section 2.B.2. and Figure 2-1 of the National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures and Policy for Considering Environmental Impacts, COMDTINST M16475.1 (series).
Because this NVIC implements, without substantive change, the applicable Commandant Instruction or other federal agency regulations, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, Coast Guard categorical exclusion #33 is appropriate b.
This NVIC will not have any of the following: significant cumulative impacts on the human environment; substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions; or inconsistencies with any Federal, State, or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment.
All future specific actions resulting from the general policies in this NVIC must be individually evaluated for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), DHS and Coast Guard NEPA policy, and compliance with all other environmental mandates. 8.
DISTRIBUTION.
No paper distribution will be made of this Commandant Change Notice.
An electronic version will be located at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvic.
Commandant 2703 Martin Luther King Jr.
Ave.
SE United States Coast Guard Washington, DC 20593-7501 Staff Symbol: CG-CVC-4 Phone: (202) 372-2357 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTPUB P16721 NVIC 03-16 June 23, 2016 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 03-16 Subj: GUIDELINES FOR CREDENTIALING OFFICERS OF TOWING VESSELS Ref: (a) Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Sections 11.463, 11.464, 11.465, and 11.466 1.
PURPOSE.
This Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) clarifies and provides guidance for the evaluation of merchant mariners for qualification for and revalidation of endorsements for officers of towing vessels. 2.
ACTION.
The Coast Guard will use this NVIC and 46 CFR 11.463, 11.464, 11.465, and 11.466 to establish whether candidates are qualified to hold officer endorsements for service on towing vessels.
Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMIs) should bring this NVIC to the attention of the maritime industry within their zones of responsibility.
This NVIC is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvic/.
The Coast Guard will distribute it by electronic means only. 3.
DIRECTIVES AFFECTED.
This NVIC supersedes NVIC 04-01, Licensing and Manning for Officers of Towing Vessels, and National Maritime Center (NMC) Policy Letter 04-03, Acceptance of STCW Assessments of Skills to Qualify for Near Coastal and Oceans Towing Vessel Licenses and Endorsements. 4.
BACKGROUND.
The Coast Guard published a final rule on December 24, 2013, (78 FR 77796) that includes changes to the regulations for credentialing officers of towing vessels.
This rule became effective on March 24, 2014.
The Coast Guard is publishing this NVIC to provide guidance on complying with the new regulations and is cancelling previous policy.
Accordingly, this NVIC supersedes NVIC 04-01.
DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 167 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B X X X X C X X D E X X F G H NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 03-16 5.
DISCUSSION. a.
Regulation for Towing Vessel (T/V) Endorsements.
Title 46 CFR, Part 11 provides the standards regarding credentialing of towing vessel officers.
This NVIC provides additional guidance and clarification of those regulations.
Enclosure (1) contains a number of frequently asked questions (FAQ) and responses to those FAQs. b.
Towing Officer Assessment Record (TOAR). 1) Candidates for officer endorsements valid for towing vessels must demonstrate their practical ability to carry out certain professional duties and tasks.
These demonstrations are to be performed before a Coast Guard approved Designated Examiner (DE) and are to be recorded in a TOAR.
The Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) has developed model guidance for DEs on the manner in which the TOAR task demonstrations should be conducted..
That guidance has been incorporated into the TOARs in Enclosures 2 through 5. 2) Enclosures (2) through (5) are TOARs that meet the applicable regulatory requirements and may be used by: 1) mariners seeking a towing endorsement, and 2) DEs assessing candidates for towing vessel endorsements.
These enclosures are the most recent updates to the TOARs and supersede previous versions.
DEs should assess candidates for towing endorsements using the enclosed TOARs and by following the guidance contained in the TOAR.
DEs wishing to conduct assessments using alternative tasks and/or criteria to assess candidates must obtain prior written approval from the NMC for the proposed tasks and assessment criteria.
Information concerning the use of previous versions, and transition to these new TOARs, is provided in Enclosure (6). 3) The Limited TOAR in Enclosure (5) is intended for use for an endorsement that will be restricted to a Limited Local Area (LLA) within the Western Rivers or on Inland waters.
The specified tasks represent the minimum that should be included for any LLA.
The actual TOAR that should be used will be based upon the unique operating conditions present in the LLA.
Additional tasks may be added.
For example, if the LLA includes bridges across the waterway, a task requiring the mariner to safely navigate through a bridge should be included. 4) Mariners serving on vessels with operations that do not normally include all of the tasks in the TOAR may omit specific tasks and qualify for an endorsement with a restriction to Integrated Tug Barge (ITB) and Articulated Tug Barge (ATB), Harbor- Assist vessels, and vessels that operate on Inland waters or areas of the Western Rivers that do not have locks. 46 CFR 11.463(g).
Guidance on these restricted endorsements is provided in Enclosure (7).
NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 03-16 5) Many mariners required to complete the Near Coastal/Oceans TOAR for service on a towing vessel may also be required to hold an STCW endorsement.
In an effort to ease the burden on mariners completing both a TOAR and STCW assessments for an endorsement as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW), mariners who are assessed for an OICNW endorsement valid for service on vessels of 500 GT or more need not complete those portions of the Near Coastal/Oceans TOAR that duplicate STCW assessments.
Enclosure (8) indicates which STCW assessments will be accepted for towing vessel credentials and endorsements, and the equivalent portions of the TOAR.
When more than one STCW assessment is listed for a single TOAR task, the mariner must complete all of the specified STCW assessments to have them accepted in lieu of the TOAR task.
As the assessment guidelines and requirements for the conduct of assessments under STCW are more stringent than those for TOAR assessments, successful completion of a TOAR may not be used in lieu of STCW assessments. c.
Designated Examiners. 1) A TOAR may only be signed by DEs approved by the Coast Guard to conduct assessments and sign TOARs for the specific task(s) and upon the specific route(s).
A TOAR signed by someone not approved as a DE, or by a DE who does not hold approval for the task/route, will not be accepted.
Mariners may check the approval status of a DE from the NMC website at http://www.uscg.mil/nmc. 2) The standard to be used to determine an individual’s qualification for designated examiner (DE) is established in 46 CFR 10.405(b).
There are three requirements, as specified in paragraphs (i) to (iii) below: i) The applicant must establish that they have either “experience, training, or instruction in assessment techniques on towing vessels.” 46 CFR 10.405(b)(1).
Section 10.405(c) describes some of the documentary evidence that is acceptable.
This is not an exclusive list; other evidence may be accepted.
A) Experience must include evaluating competence or effectiveness of training.
This may include documentation showing: 1) Work as an instructor or assessor, in any field; 2) Supervising onboard training or drills; or 3) Experience assessing apprentice mates or mate pilots as part of a program run by a company for training apprentice mates, or as part of a safety management system.
This experience may also include conducting STCW assessments.
The documentation to be submitted to fulfill the above three options may be letters from the company, evidence of employment as an instructor, assessor, evidence of signing a completed TOAR as a designated examiner, or other documentation provided by the company.
CH-6 3 B) Training or instruction must include some form of education in evaluating competence, through formal training or informal training.
This may include documentary evidence of: 1) Company training in assessment techniques.
This may be training in conducting performance evaluations; or 2) Successful completion of an “assessor training” course or a “train the trainer” course, which includes formal instruction in techniques of observation and assessment.
There is no need to provide specific contents of the training in evaluation of competence submitted to fulfill the above two options. ii) That a mariner has “qualifications on towing vessels in the task for which the assessment is being conducted.” 46 CFR 10.405(b)(2).
The following will be considered qualified to conduct assessments for endorsements for the route(s) held by the applicant for designated examiner: A) Holding a master of towing vessel endorsement; B) Holding a mate (pilot) of towing vessel endorsement, with at least 12 months of service on towing vessels; or C) Holding a master of self-propelled vessels of more than 200 GRT while holding a completed TOAR, with at least 12 months of service on towing vessels.
A mariner who has held one of the endorsements listed above will be considered qualified as a Designated Examiner if their MMC has been expired no more than 5 years. iii) That the applicant possesses a “level of endorsement on towing vessels, or other professional credential, which provides proof that he or she has attained a level of qualification equal or superior to the relevant level of knowledge, skills, and abilities described in the training objective.” 46 CFR 10.405(b)(3).
This requirement is met by an applicant holding one of the merchant mariner credentials listed in paragraph (ii) above. 3) Mariners who wish to serve as a DE may request approval by sending a written request to the NMC.
The request should include a resume or similar description of the candidate’s towing vessel experience including dates, positions worked, route(s) of the vessel, and types of towing.
In addition, the request should describe the candidate’s experience training, or instruction conducting training and performing assessments of practical skill.
The request may be sent by the mariner, or on the mariner’s behalf by his/her employer.
The request may be sent by e-mail to NMCCourses@uscg.mil or to: USCG National Maritime Center (NMC-2) 100 Forbes Drive Martinsburg, WV 25404 CH-6 4 4) Approved DEs may conduct assessments for the specific route(s) noted in their approval letter from the NMC.
The DE’s approval may be restricted based on the DE’s qualifying experience.
Such a restriction will be noted in the DE’s approval.
A sample of a Designated Examiner approval letter is attached as Enclosure (9). 5) Designated Examiner approvals are granted for a period of 5 years.
The approval may be renewed by request to the NMC.
In order to renew his or her qualifications, a DE should have either experience, training, or evidence of instruction in effective assessment within the past 5 years (46 CFR 10.405(d)).
DEs should also have experience operating towing vessels, or closely related service relevant to the operation of towing vessels. 6) If a mariner is disqualified from holding a credential, the NMC may withdraw a Designated Examiner approval after a review of the mariner’s situation.
A mariner who is disqualified from holding a mariner credential for medical reasons may still be capable of competently serving as a DE.
However, if the reason the mariner does not hold a valid towing endorsement is due to administrative action under 46 CFR Part 5, the incident(s) giving rise to the suspension or revocation may be sufficient reason to withdraw a DE approval.
A DE approval may also be withdrawn if a mariner who does not hold an active credential commits an offense that would be subject to administrative action under 46 CFR Part 5 if they held an active credential.
A mariner whose DE qualification is withdrawn may appeal that decision in accordance with 46 CFR 1.03-40. 7) By signing off a task in the TOAR, the DE certifies that he/she has observed an individual performing an activity and, in their professional judgment, has determined that the candidate demonstrated competency in performing the described task(s).
Since it is unlikely that all the proficiencies required by the TOAR can be demonstrated in a short period of time, this determination is typically made after a period of observation and training.
Therefore, “sign offs” should represent the culmination of a period of observation.
Note that the observation during this period may or may not be done by the DE; the candidate may be part of a Steersman program where he/she is trained and observed by a Master or Mate (Pilot) who is not a DE.
Once the training officer is satisfied that the candidate has demonstrated proficiency in one or more of the TOAR skills, a DE then assesses the candidate’s proficiency by having him/her demonstrate the skill.
If successful, the DE initials and dates the TOAR next to the appropriate task.
The DE then documents the appropriate information in the TOAR.
Under this scenario, it is conceivable that the DE might sign off a number of TOAR proficiencies in a single day.
It is also conceivable that a DE who is also the training officer, might sign off on every item on the same day, at the end of the training.
In this case, the DE might have observed each task many times and decided to wait to sign off after he/she felt the trainee completed all of the items on the TOAR satisfactorily.
CH-6 5 6.
DISCLAIMER.
This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a regulation.
It is not intended to 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.
You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. 7.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS. a.
The development of this NVIC and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed by the originating office, and are categorically excluded (CE) under current USCG CE # 33 from further environmental analysis, in accordance with Section 2.B.2. and Figure 2-1 of the National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures and Policy for Considering Environmental Impacts, COMDTINST M16475.1
(series). Because this NVIC implements, without substantive change, the applicable Commandant Instruction or other federal agency regulations, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, Coast Guard categorical exclusion #33 is appropriate. b. This NVIC will not have any of the following: significant cumulative impacts on the human environment; substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions; or inconsistencies with any Federal, State, or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment. All future specific actions resulting from the general policies in this NVIC must be individually evaluated for CH-6 6
Sections it refers to
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