NVIC 06-84: Supplemental guidance on automated machinery

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This Circular gives Coast Guard marine inspectors guidance on applying NVIC No. 1-69 and the amendments to SOLAS 1974 (1st set), Chapters II-1 and II-2. Vessels in categories 2.a. and 2.b. should follow NVIC 1-69 and meet the listed SOLAS amendments. Where SOLAS conflicts with Title 46 regulations, the result depends on the vessel category.

Applies toIt applies to the listed categories of vessels that use automated main or auxiliary machinery, regardless of manning.

What it says

  1. The Circular applies to the listed categories of vessels that use automated main or auxiliary machinery, regardless of manning.

    “This Circular applies to the following categories of vessels that utilize automated main or auxiliary machinery, regardless of manning:”

  2. Category c covers all self-propelled vessels other than small passenger vessels (Subchapter T) and offshore supply vessels. They are covered only if they undergo initial Coast Guard inspection for certification, or are certificated and inspected and undergo major alteration, modification, or repair, on or after the effective date of this Circular.

    NVIC 06-84 c.“All self-propelled vessels, other than small passenger vessels (Subchapter T) and offshore supply vessels, that-”

  3. Vessels in categories 2.a. and 2.b. should follow the applicable guidance of NVIC 1-69 and should meet the applicable SOLAS amendments listed.

    NVIC 06-84 a.“All vessels in categories 2.a. and 2.b. should follow the applicable guidance of NVIC 1-69 and should meet the applicable SOLAS amendments listed.”

  4. For categories 2.a. and 2.b., SOLAS standards must be applied where SOLAS conflicts with NVIC 1-69 or with Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, in order for the vessel to be eligible for a SOLAS Certificate.

    NVIC 06-84 a.“SOLAS standards must be applied in order for the vessel to be eligible for a SOLAS Certificate.”

  5. NVIC 1-69 and the SOLAS amendments should be applied, as guidance, to all vessels in category 2.c.

    NVIC 06-84 b.“NVIC 1-69 and the SOLAS amendments should be applied, as guidance, to all vessels in category 2.c.”

  6. For category 2.c. vessels, where SOLAS conflicts with the applicable regulations in Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, the vessel must meet or exceed the regulatory requirements.

    NVIC 06-84 b.“the vessel must meet or exceed the regulatory requirements.”

  7. Alternate equipment or operating arrangements that provide an equivalent degree of safety are acceptable.

    NVIC 06-84 d.“Alternate equipment or operating arrangements that provide an equivalent degree of safety are acceptable.”

Common questions

Is NVIC 6-84 a regulation?

No. The Circular says that it and NVIC 1-69 are guidelines.

“All parties should be aware that this Circular and NVIC 1-69 are guidelines.”

What happens if SOLAS conflicts with Title 46 regulations for a category 2.c. vessel?

The vessel must meet or exceed the regulatory requirements.

“Where a conflict exists between SOLAS and the applicable regulations in Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, the vessel must meet or exceed the regulatory requirements.”

What if SOLAS references a section not listed in the Circular?

The Circular says to refer to the applicable U.S.C.G. regulation or NVIC.

“refer to the applicable U.S.C.G. regulation or NVIC.”

The text of NVIC 06-84

U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 06-84 (main body; enclosures not shown)

Automated Main and Auxiliary Machinery; Supplemental Guidance On

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNITED STATES COAST GUARD MAILING ADDRESS: U.S. Coast Guard (G-M) Washington, D.C. 20593 Phone: (202) 426-2206 NVIC 6-84 25 JUN 1984 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 6-84 Subj: Automated Main and Auxiliary Machinery; Supplemental Guidance on

Automated Main and Auxiliary Machinery; Supplemental Guidance On — PURPOSE. The purpose of this Circular is to provide guidance to Coast Guard marine inspectors on the application of NVIC No. 1-69, "Automated Main and Auxiliary Machinery" and the amendments to SOLAS 1974 (1st set), Chapters II-1 and II-2.

PURPOSE. The purpose of this Circular is to provide guidance to Coast Guard marine inspectors on the application of NVIC No. 1-69, "Automated Main and Auxiliary Machinery" and the amendments to SOLAS 1974 (1st set), Chapters II-1 and II-2.

Automated Main and Auxiliary Machinery; Supplemental Guidance On — APPLICABILITY. This Circular applies to the following categories of vessels that utilize automated main or auxiliary machinery, regardless of manning:

a. Vessels for which the keels are laid or at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 September 1984, and in international service. b. Vessels to which NVIC 10-81 applies, in international service, and - (1) For which a major alteration, modification, or repair contract is placed; or (2) In absence of such a contract, applies for a Certificate of Inspection or commences major alteration, modification, or repair; on or after 1 September 1984. c. All self-propelled vessels, other than small passenger vessels (Subchapter T) and offshore supply vessels, that- (1) Undergo initial Coast Guard inspection for certification; or (2) Are Coast Guard certificated and inspected and undergo major alteration, modification, or repair; on or after the effective date of this Circular. DISTRIBUTION: SDL No. 119 * NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: (See page 3)

Automated Main and Auxiliary Machinery; Supplemental Guidance On — DISCUSSION.

a. NVIC 1-69 is the Coast Guard's existing guidance for automated machinery plants. Enclosure (1) to the NVIC primarily addresses steam plants. Its lack of conceptual guidance in certain areas and lack of specific diesel propulsion guidance makes it inadequate for many present applications. b. The first set of amendments to SOLAS, 1974 enter into force internationally on 1 September 1984 and apply to vessels in international service. These amendments provide both specific and general requirements for machinery space automation and periodically unattended machinery spaces. The automation-related SOLAS amendments (encl.(1)) are: Chapter II-1, Regulations 26.2, 26.3, 26.4, 26.6, 26.7, 27.1, 27.5, 31 (all), 32.2, 32.3, 32.4, 37, 46 (all), 47 (all), 48 (all), 49 (all), 50, 51 (all), 52, 53 (all), 54. Chapter II-2, Regulation 4.3.4.3, 4.3.4.4, 4.9, 11.5, 11.7, 11.8, 14 (all), 15.5. In several areas, these requirements closely parallel the guidance of NVIC 1-69. In other areas, they are a significant departure and are more stringent. c. A notice of proposed rulemaking for automated vital systems will be published soon. The Coast Guard intends to incorporate into the "regulations for all vessels, other than small passenger vessels and offshore supply vessels, the requirements of SOLAS, the general concepts of NVIC 1-69, specific requirements for diesel, steam, and other propulsion systems, and both the provisions and means to determine equivalent levels of safety and reliability.

Automated Main and Auxiliary Machinery; Supplemental Guidance On — ACTION.

a.

All vessels in categories 2.a. and 2.b. should follow the applicable guidance of NVIC 1-69 and should meet the applicable SOLAS amendments listed.

Where a conflict exists between SOLAS and the guidance of NVIC 1-69 or between SOLAS and the applicable regulations in Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, SOLAS standards must be applied in order for the vessel to be eligible for a SOLAS Certificate. b.

NVIC 1-69 and the SOLAS amendments should be applied, as guidance, to all vessels in category 2.c.

Where a conflict exists between SOLAS and the applicable regulations in Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, the vessel must meet or exceed the regulatory requirements. c.

In all cases, the general concepts and considerations of SOLAS and NVIC 1-69 should be emphasized.

These include alternate means of control, continuity of vital services, flooding and fire safety, failsafe controls and alarms, detection and tripping of unsafe machinery conditions, communications, maintenance, testing, proven 4. d.

All parties should be aware that this Circular and NVIC 1-69 are guidelines.

Alternate equipment or operating arrangements that provide an equivalent degree of safety are acceptable.

Where the SOLAS amendment and NVIC 1-69 do not provide adequate specific detail, the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection should discuss alternatives with the owner or the owner's representative and reach a decision that is subject to the appellate process, as set forth in NVIC 16-82, "Appeal of Coast Guard Commercial Vessel Decisions and Actions". e.

Where the SOLAS amendments reference sections of SOLAS not listed above, such as automatic fire detection systems in SOLAS II-2/14, refer to the applicable U.S.C.G. regulation or NVIC.

CLYDE T.

LUSK, Jr.

Chief, Office of Merchant Marine Safety Encl: (1) Excerpts, Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS) Non-Standard Distributions: C1: 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).

C1: New Orleans (140); New York (70); Philadelphia (35); Houston (25); St.

Ignace (5); Sturgeon Bay (4).

D: CG Liaison Officer MILSEALIFTCOMD N-65 STRAT MOB, CG Liaison Officer JUSMACPHIL (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.