NVIC 05-82: Fixed ballast installation guidelines

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This Circular updates guidelines for the use of special fixed ballast materials. It cancels Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 8-67 concerning fixed ballast. Its guidelines are for plan review and inspection of fixed ballast installations on all certificated vessels.

Applies toThe guidelines are for use in plan review and inspection of fixed ballast installations on all certificated vessels.

What it says

  1. The purpose of this Circular is to update existing guidelines for the use of special fixed ballast materials.

    “The purpose of this Circular is to update existing guidelines for the use of special”

  2. Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 8-67 concerning fixed ballast is canceled.

    “Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 8-67 concerning fixed”

  3. Fixed ballast may be necessary to provide satisfactory immersion, trim and stability on certain vessels.

    NVIC 05-82 a.“The use of fixed ballast may be necessary in order to provide satisfactory immersion, trim)”

  4. Ballast materials must be secured to prevent shifting.

    NVIC 05-82 a.“Ballast materials must be secured to prevent shifting.”

  5. Longitudinal strength must be sufficient to accommodate the concentrated weight.

    NVIC 05-82 a.“Longitudinal strength must be sufficient to accommodate the concentrated weight.”

  6. Corrosion in ballast compartments must be properly monitored and minimized.

    NVIC 05-82 a.“Corrosion in ballast compartments must be properly monitored and minimized.”

  7. The Commandant's approval is required to remove or relocate fixed ballast.

    NVIC 05-82 b.“the Commandant's approval is required to remove or relocate fixed ballast.”

  8. The guidelines in enclosure (1) are for plan review and inspection of fixed ballast installations on all certificated vessels.

    “The guidelines contained in enclosure (1) are for use in conducting plan review and”

Common questions

Who needs Commandant approval to remove or relocate fixed ballast?

The Circular says the Commandant's approval is required to remove or relocate fixed ballast.

“the Commandant's approval is required to remove or relocate fixed ballast.”

Which earlier circular does NVIC 5-82 cancel?

It cancels Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 8-67 concerning fixed ballast.

“Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 8-67 concerning fixed”

Must fixed ballast materials be secured?

Yes. Ballast materials must be secured to prevent shifting.

“Ballast materials must be secured to prevent shifting.”

The text of NVIC 05-82

U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 05-82 (main body; enclosures not shown)

Fixed Ballast

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNITED STATES COAST GUARD U. S. Coast Guard G-MMT-4/13 Washington, D. C. 20593 (202) 426-2197 NVC 5-82 24 Mar 1982 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 5-82 Subj: Fixed Ballast

Fixed Ballast — PURPOSE. The purpose of this Circular is to update existing guidelines for the use of special

fixed ballast materials.

Fixed Ballast — DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 8-67 concerning fixed

ballast is hereby canceled.

Fixed Ballast — DISCUSSION.

a. The use of fixed ballast may be necessary in order to provide satisfactory immersion, trim) and stability on certain vessels. Various forms of ballast material have been used successfully in the past including heavy solids such as concrete and iron, liquids such as drilling mud, and most recently an iron ore concentrate called "QCM" Certain design and installation considerations, however, are necessary when employing fixed ballast. Ballast materials must be secured to prevent shifting. Longitudinal strength must be sufficient to accommodate the concentrated weight. Corrosion in ballast compartments must be properly monitored and minimized. Some types of ballast settle as the moisture content is reduced. Other types of ballast require venting and chemical treatment to prevent gas accumulation. b. This NVC provides guidelines for the installation of fixed ballast pursuant to the requirements of 46 CFR 93.13-5 and 46 CFR 74.15-5 which require fixed ballast amount and location data to be included with stability information. In addition, the Commandant's approval is required to remove or relocate fixed ballast.

Fixed Ballast — ACTION. The guidelines contained in enclosure (1) are for use in conducting plan review and

inspection of fixed ballast installations on all certificated vessels. NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: Ce: Baltimore (75); Boston, San Francisco, Mobile, Pittsburgh, Providence, Norfolk (50); Galveston (30); Cleveland, Portland OR, Sturgeon Bay (25); San Diego, Savannah, Buffalo, Corpus Christi (20); Tampa, Valdez, Milwaukee, Louisville, Detroit, Toledo, Nashville, Anchorage (15); Portland ME, Duluth, Charleston, Huntington, Minneapolis-St. Paul (Dubuque), San Juan, Guam (10); Juneau, Cincinnati, Memphis, Wilmington, Miami, Paducah, Albany (5) extra Cm: New Orleans (250); New York (200); Seattle (100); Houston (50); Terminal Is (LA-LB); Philadelphia (40) extra Em: New London, Houma (30); Ludington (8) extra En: Ketchikan, Kenai, Kodiak, Lake Charles (5) extra CG-12, ZTC-68 End: (1) Guidelines for the Installation and Inspection of Special Fixed Ballast Materials

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.