NVIC 04-95: Fire safety for older foreign passenger vessels

Commandant (G-MTH-4) United States Coast Guard COMDTPUB P16700.4 NVIC 4-95 19 JUNE 1995 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 4-95 Electronic Version for Distribution on the World Wide Web Subj: Fire Safety Standards for Foreign Passenger Vessels Constructed before 1 October 1994

Fire Safety Standards for Foreign Passenger Vessels Constructed Before 1 October 1994 — PURPOSE. This Circular provides plan review and examination guidance for owners and operators

of foreign passenger vessels constructed before 1 October 1994 which carry more than 36 passengers and embark passengers from United States' ports

Fire Safety Standards for Foreign Passenger Vessels Constructed Before 1 October 1994 — DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. NVIC 3-93 is cancelled.

DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. NVIC 3-93 is cancelled.

Fire Safety Standards for Foreign Passenger Vessels Constructed Before 1 October 1994 — BACKGROUND.

a. In 1993, the Coast Guard promulgated NVIC 3-93 to call attention to the 1992 Fire Safety Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS 74).. The most significant part of these amendments were requirements for new and existing passenger vessels. For the purpose of these amendments, existing passenger vessels are defined as those vessels having a keel laying date prior to 1 October 1994. b. The amendments applying to existing passenger vessels are retroactive and phase-in over a 16 year period beginning on 1 October 1994. The amendments require significant modifications to existing passenger vessels which carry more than 36 passengers. These modifications include the installation of fixed automatic sprinkler and smoke detection systems, low-location lighting, and upgrades for enclosed escape stairways. 3. c. In 1993, the Coast Guard also promulgated NVIC 1-93 which offered guidance on pre- arrival plan review and examinations for foreign passenger vessel.. The primary goal of NVIC 1-93 was to minimize unscheduled delays for foreign passenger vessels which were to embark passengers for the first time from a U.S. port. These vessels are required to undergo an initial Control Verification Examination (CVE) to ensure they are in substantial compliance with the SOLAS 74 Convention. NVIC 1-93 also required an initial CVE for foreign passenger vessels already operating out of U.S. ports if selected by the Commandant.

Fire Safety Standards for Foreign Passenger Vessels Constructed Before 1 October 1994 — DISCUSSION.

a. An active Port State Control Examination Program is an integral part of the SOLAS 74 Convention and continues to be applied in accordance with U.S. public law. Under the port state control initiative, the Coast Guard conducts boardings to determine vessel compliance with applicable domestic and international standards. This program was implemented to identify substandard vessels through boardings and examinations, and then to take appropriate action to eliminate the threat that these vessels pose to U.S. waters, ports and citizens. With approximately 4.5 million passengers embarked in U.S. ports annually, the Coast Guard intends to remain actively involved from a port state