NVIC 06-99: Guidance for high-speed craft inspection and certification

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This Circular is Coast Guard guidance on plan review, inspection and certification for passenger vessels built to the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft. It also summarizes measures and practices used on domestic vessels that operate at higher speeds. OCMIs may use it as guidance.

Applies toOwners and operators of passenger vessels built to the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft, and OCMIs dealing with high-speed craft within their zone.

What it says

The Circular gives plan review, inspection and certification guidance to owners and operators of passenger vessels built to the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft.
NVIC 06-99 1“This Circular provides plan review, inspection, and certification guidance for owners and operators of passenger vessels built to the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft.”
The Circular also summarizes additional measures and practices applied to domestic vessels on a local or regional level, which operate at higher speeds but are not necessarily built to the High-Speed Craft Code.
NVIC 06-99 1“These domestic vessels are those that operate at higher speeds, but are not necessarily built to the High-Speed Craft Code.”
Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMIs) may use this Circular as guidance in dealing with high-speed craft within their zone.
“Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMIs) may use this Circular as guidance in dealing with high-speed craft within their zone.”
Owners and operators who build a craft to the HSC Code must apply the HSC Code in its entirety.
NVIC 06-99 b“the HSC Code must be applied in its entirety given its holistic philosophy toward safety.”
The Coast Guard has accepted the HSC Code as an equivalent to 46 CFR Subchapter H in specific cases, and other domestic regulations such as the pollution prevention and navigation safety regulations may still apply to those vessels.
NVIC 06-99 a“Various other domestic regulations such as the pollution prevention and navigation safety regulations may still apply to vessels constructed to this equivalency.”
The inspection checklist in the second enclosure may be used in part or in whole depending on the scope of the examination.
NVIC 06-99(2)“It may be used in part or in whole depending on the scope of the examination.”

Common questions

Who may use NVIC 06-99 as guidance?

OCMIs may use this Circular as guidance in dealing with high-speed craft within their zone. They are also encouraged to bring it to the attention of appropriate individuals in the maritime industry.

“OCMIs are also encouraged to bring this Circular to the attention of the appropriate individuals in the maritime industry within their zones.”

Can a vessel be built to only part of the HSC Code?

No. The Circular says the HSC Code must be applied in its entirety, because non-compliance with any part could cause an imbalance that adversely affects safety.

“Non-compliance with any part of the HSC Code could result in an imbalance which would adversely affect the safety of the craft, passengers and crew.”

What are the three enclosures to NVIC 06-99?

The first gives U.S. interpretations of specific HSC Code sections. The second is an inspection checklist, and the third collects additional measures and observed practices for high-speed craft issues.

“The final enclosure provides a collection of additional measures and observed practices for addressing high-speed craft issues.”

The text of NVIC 06-99

U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 06-99 (main body; enclosures not shown)

Plan Review, Inspection, And Certification Guidance for Vessels Built to the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft and Additional Information Regarding Non-Code High-Speed Vessels

NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 6-99 Subj: PLAN REVIEW, INSPECTION, AND CERTIFICATION GUIDANCE FOR VESSELS BUILT TO THE INTERNATIONAL CODE OF SAFETY FOR HIGH-SPEED CRAFT AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING NON-CODE HIGH-SPEED VESSELS Ref: (a) Title 46 CFR parts 114.540 and 175.540 (b) International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft

Plan Review, Inspection, And Certification Guidance for Vessels Built to the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft and Additional Information Regarding Non-Code High-Speed Vessels — PURPOSE. This Circular provides plan review, inspection, and certification guidance for owners and operators of passenger vessels built to the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft. This Circular also provides a summary of additional measures and operational practices that are being applied to

1. PURPOSE. This Circular provides plan review, inspection, and certification guidance for owners and operators of passenger vessels built to the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft. This Circular also provides a summary of additional measures and operational practices that are being applied to domestic vessels on a local or regional level. These domestic vessels are those that operate at higher speeds, but are not necessarily built to the High-Speed Craft Code.

Plan Review, Inspection, And Certification Guidance for Vessels Built to the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft and Additional Information Regarding Non-Code High-Speed Vessels — ACTION. Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMIs) may use this Circular as guidance in dealing with high-speed craft within their zone. OCMIs are also encouraged to bring this Circular to the attention of the appropriate individuals in the maritime industry within their zones.

ACTION. Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMIs) may use this Circular as guidance in dealing with high-speed craft within their zone. OCMIs are also encouraged to bring this Circular to the attention of the appropriate individuals in the maritime industry within their zones.

DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. None.

a. In 1977, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the Code of Safety for Dynamically Supported Craft (DSC). The DSC Code was developed to address the worldwide growth in size and types of high-speed craft and to facilitate future research and development of fast sea transportation. b. The philosophy of the DSC code was different than other international conventions for ships in that it was based on the management of risk through accommodation, active safety systems, and restricted operation. The DSC Code, for example, permitted the use of non-traditional materials in craft construction provided that additional safety measures were taken to ensure an equivalent level of safety was achieved. By permitting the use of lighter materials in the construction of such craft, builders were able to design craft with a lighter displacement than that of traditional ships and obtain the high speeds necessary to make such craft viable. c. In 1994, the DSC Code was substantially revised and renamed the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft (HSC Code). Although the philosophy of the two codes remains the same, the HSC Code provides far more detailed guidance than its predecessor. Much of the new guidance is based upon the 17 years of experience with the DSC Code and the latest technologies that are rapidly expanding the opportunities for the high-speed craft industry.

a. After the adoption of the HSC Code by IMO in 1994, the U.S. Coast Guard incorporated it as part of the rulemaking for small passenger vessels (46 CFR Subchapters T & K); (Federal Register IFR Vol. 61, No. 7, January 10, 1996 and FR Vol. 62, No. 189, September 30, 1997). Since that time, the Coast Guard has accepted the HSC Code as an equivalent to 46 CFR Subchapter H in specific cases as well. Various other domestic regulations such as the pollution prevention and navigation safety regulations may still apply to vessels constructed to this equivalency. b. Owners and operators interested in building a craft to the HSC Code should note that the HSC Code must be applied in its entirety given its holistic philosophy toward safety. Non-compliance with any part of the HSC Code could result in an imbalance which would adversely affect the safety of the craft, passengers and crew. This point is clearly made in the preamble of the HSC Code and will be expected of owners or operators choosing to build to the international requirements. c. The HSC Code provides more options for U.S. ship owners and builders of high-speed craft while achieving the goal of harmonization with international requirements. As ferry services increase to meet the demands being placed upon the transportation infrastructure, high-speed ferries will be in a unique position to provide a fast, safe and internationally competitive alternative for meeting the current and future needs of the intermodal transportation system. d. This Circular contains three enclosures as described below:

(1) The first enclosure provides U.S. interpretations of specific sections in the HSC Code. These interpretations clarify those sections of the Code that have been left "to the satisfaction of the Administration." It is designed to be used in conjunction with the HSC Code.

(2) The second enclosure is an inspection checklist. It may be used in part or in whole depending on the scope of the examination.

(3) The final enclosure provides a collection of additional measures and observed practices for addressing high-speed craft issues. They are provided purely as guidance in developing and ensuring safe operations. They may be used to augment risk assessment efforts. Additional information about risk assessment and analysis methodologies may be obtained by contacting the Human Element and Ship Design Division (G-MSE-1) at Coast Guard Headquarters. R. C. NORTH Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Encl: (1) Plan Review, Inspection, and Certification Guidance for U.S. Flag Vessels Constructed to the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft: Interpretations of Sections Left to the Satisfaction of the Administration

(2) Inspection Checklist for Vessels Constructed to the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft

(3) Additional Measures and Operating Practices for Addressing High-Speed Craft Issues Non-Standard Distribution: C:e New Orleans (90); Hampton Roads (50); Baltimore (45); San Francisco (40); Philadelphia, Port Arthur, Honolulu, Puget Sound (35); Miami, Houston, Mobile, Long Beach, Morgan City, Portland OR (25); Jacksonville, Long Island Sound (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 St. Marie (5). C:m New York (70); Sturgeon Bay (4). D:d Except Baltimore, Moriches, and Grand Haven. D:l 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 ABS, Maritime Liaison Office Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (1). ABS Americas (20). NOAA Fleet Inspection Office (1). U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1). ---

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.