NVIC 03-97: ABS stability review for U.S. flag vessels

Commandant 2100 Second Street, SW United States Coast Guard Washington, DC 20593-0001 Staff Symbol: G-MSE-2 Phone: (202) 267-2988 Fax: (202) 267-4816 COMDTPUB P16700.4 NVIC 3-97 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 3-97 Subj: STABILITY RELATED REVIEW PERFORMED BY THE AMERICAN BUREAU Of SHIPPING FOR U.S. FLAG VESSELS

Stability Related Review Performed by the American Bureau of Shipping for U.S. Flag Vessels. — PURPOSE. The purpose of this Circular is to outline the procedures for Coast Guard

acceptance of stability related review and for stability letters issued for U.S. flag vessels by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).

Stability Related Review Performed by the American Bureau of Shipping for U.S. Flag Vessels. — DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. This Circular cancels and supersedes Navigation and Vessel

Inspection Circular (NVIC) NO. 3-84, Change 1.

Stability Related Review Performed by the American Bureau of Shipping for U.S. Flag Vessels. — AUTHORITY. Title 46, United States Code, Part 3316 authorizes the Coast Guard to accept

plan review, inspections, and examinations performed by ABS for compliance with Coast Guard rules and regulations for classed and unclassed vessels.

Stability Related Review Performed by the American Bureau of Shipping for U.S. Flag Vessels. — APPLICABILITY.

a. This Circular is effective upon publication and is applicable to U.S. flag vessels, including vessels under the Alternate Compliance Program, that will receive a stability review by the ABS. The stability of any U.S. flag vessel, with the exception of certain novel craft (as specified in paragraph 4.d of this NVIC), may be reviewed by the ABS on behalf of the Coast Guard. DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 134 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 2 10 3 1 132 1 5 30 C * 1 * D 1 1 1* 1 * E 2 2 F 1 1 1 G H *NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: (See page 4.) NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO 3-97 b. Should a vessel’s owner, or the owner’s representative, withdraw a request for the ABS review under the provisions of this Circular, the Coast Guard may require certain inspections and plan review by Coast Guard personnel. In such cases, the Marine Safety Center (MSC) will determine which approvals made by the ABS will be accepted by the Coast Guard. c. This NVIC authorizes the ABS to review the stability booklet of a ship carrying grain in bulk. Except that, review of grain ship loading stability information and issuance of a Document of Authorization and a Certificate of Loading will remain the sole purview of the National Cargo Bureau (NCB) as stated in Part 93.20 of Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Where the ABS is requested to review the grain ship stability booklet, they will interact with NCB in an identical manner to the current relationship between the MSC and the NCB. The review of ships carrying grain in bulk is discussed in greater detail in NVIC 5-94. d. Stability review of certain types of vessels which are novel or have novel design features or which have limited history of certification are excluded from the provisions of this NVIC. Stability review of these vessels may be reserved to the MSC.

Stability Related Review Performed by the American Bureau of Shipping for U.S. Flag Vessels. — BACKGROUND.

a. On April 16, 1984, the Coast Guard published NVIC 3-84, “Acceptance of Stability Related Review Performed by the American Bureau of Shipping for New U.S. Flag Vessels.” On March 26, 1990, the Coast Guard published NVIC 3-84, Change 1, “Stability Related Review Performed by the American Bureau of Shipping for Load Lined U.S. Flag Vessels.” b. NVIC 3-84, Change 1, permitted qualified ABS personnel to conduct stability related reviews, including the witnessing of stability tests, on certain categories of load lined vessels. This Circular expands the categories of vessels for which the ABS is authorized to perform stability reviews on behalf of the Coast Guard. c. Prior to 1984, all vessel stability reviews were conducted by regional Coast Guard technical offices. Beginning in 1984, the Coast Guard authorized the ABS to perform stability reviews on certain categories of vessels that are issued Load Lines Certificates. The ABS has been recognized as an authorized load line assigning authority of the Coast Guard for U.S. vessels since 1929, and is well-qualified to conduct stability related plan review on behalf of the Coast Guard. In 1986, regional Coast Guard technical offices were replaced by the MSC. NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO 3-97

Stability Related Review Performed by the American Bureau of Shipping for U.S. Flag Vessels. — IMPLEMENTATION.

a. The ABS is authorized to issue stability letters on behalf of the Coast Guard for vessels for which they have conducted a complete stability review. b. Plan review, inspections, and examinations performed by the ABS under the provisions of this circular may be subject to fees, in addition to normal load line assessment fees authorized by Title 46 CFR, Subchapter E. c. Amplifying details for implementation of this Circular are contained in enclosures (1) and (2).

Stability Related Review Performed by the American Bureau of Shipping for U.S. Flag Vessels. — APPEALS. If an owner or owner's representative objects to an action or decision of the

ABS, discussion of the matter first with the ABS representative and then with the Commanding Officer (CO), MSC, is encouraged. Should the matter be satisfactorily resolved, no further action is required. However, should the matter not be resolved, the decision of the ABS may be appealed using the procedures described in 46 CFR, Part 1.

Stability Related Review Performed by the American Bureau of Shipping for U.S. Flag Vessels. — OVERSIGHT. Coast Guard oversight of stability related review performed by the ABS is

intended to ensure that stability review activities conducted by the ABS, result in a level of safety equivalent to that which results from the same activities when conducted by the Coast Guard. The MSC will conduct routine and non-routine oversight as described in enclosure (1).

Stability Related Review Performed by the American Bureau of Shipping for U.S. Flag Vessels. — ACTION. Ship owners, or their representatives, are encouraged to follow the procedures

and guidelines detailed in this Circular. District Commanders, Officers-in-Charge Marine Inspections (OCMIs), and the CO, MSC, shall become familiar with the contents of this Circular and shall follow the specific procedures indicated herein. Encl: (1) Instruction for Implementation (2) Application of Coast Guard Requirements for Acceptance of Stability Related Review by the ABS for U.S. Flag Vessels NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO 3-97 Non-Standard Distribution: C:e New Orleans (90); Hampton Roads (50); Baltimore (45); San Francisco, Puget Sound (40); Philadelphia, Port Arthur, Honolulu (35); Miami, Houston, Mobile, Long Beach, Morgan City, Portland OR (25); Jacksonville (20); Boston, Portland ME, Charleston, Galveston, Anchorage (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, Guam, Sault Ste. Marie (5). C:m New York (70); Sturgeon Bay (4). D:d Except Baltimore, Moriches and Grand Haven. D:1 CG Liaison Officer MILSEALIFTCOMD (Code N-7CG), CG Liaison Officer RSPA (DHM-22), CG Liaison Officer MARAD (MAR-742), CG Liaison Officer JUSMAGPHIL, CG Liaison Officer World Maritime University, CG Liaison Officer ABS, Maritime Liaison Office Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (1). NOAA Fleet Inspection Officer (1). U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1).