NVIC 07-68: Inspection and repair of steel hulls guidance

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This circular distributes notes on good practice in inspecting and repairing steel hulled vessels. It is guidance only, and it does not amend applicable regulations. It cancels NVICs 7-62 and 4-60.

Applies toThe notes are intended for Coast Guard Marine Inspectors, Vessel Owners, and Shipyards.

What it says

  1. The attached notes are intended to give Coast Guard Marine Inspectors, Vessel Owners, and Shipyards general information on good practice in inspecting and repairing steel hulled vessels.

    “disseminate to Coast Guard Marine Inspectors, Vessel Owners, and Shipyards general information relating to good practice in the inspection and repair of steel hulled vessels.”

  2. The information is guidance only, and where specifics are given, mandatory application is not necessarily intended.

    “This information is furnished for guidance purposes. Where specifics are given it should be understood that mandatory application is not necessarily intended.”

  3. Nothing in the circular amends applicable regulations or limits the authority and responsibility of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection in exercising good judgement.

    “Nothing herein shall be taken as amending applicable regulations, or as a prescribing or limiting the authority and responsibility of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection”

  4. This circular cancels Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars Nos. 7-62 and 4-60.

    “Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars Nos. 7-62 and 4-60 are hereby cancelled.”

Common questions

Is NVIC 7-68 mandatory?

No. The information is furnished for guidance purposes, and mandatory application is not necessarily intended where specifics are given.

“This information is furnished for guidance purposes. Where specifics are given it should be understood that mandatory application is not necessarily intended.”

Which NVICs does NVIC 7-68 cancel?

It cancels Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars Nos. 7-62 and 4-60.

“Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars Nos. 7-62 and 4-60 are hereby cancelled.”

When were the steel hull inspection notes first issued?

The notes were first issued in 1960 to fulfill a need for guidance material on inspecting and repairing steel merchant vessels.

“These notes were first issued in 1960 to fulfill a need for guidance material on the inspection and repair of steel merchant vessels.”

The text of NVIC 07-68

U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 07-68 (main body; enclosures not shown)

Notes on Inspection and Repair of Steel Hulls

United States NVIC 7-68 Coast Guard 28 OCT 1968 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 7-68 Electronic Version for Distribution on the World Wide Web Subj: Notes on Inspection and Repair of Steel Hulls

Notes on Inspection and Repair of Steel Hulls — PURPOSE. The attached “Notes on Inspection and Repair of Steel hulls” is intended to

disseminate to Coast Guard Marine Inspectors, Vessel Owners, and Shipyards general information relating to good practice in the inspection and repair of steel hulled vessels. This information is furnished for guidance purposes. Where specifics are given it should be understood that mandatory application is not necessarily intended. Nothing herein shall be taken as amending applicable regulations, or as a prescribing or limiting the authority and responsibility of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection in the exercise of his good judgement.

Notes on Inspection and Repair of Steel Hulls — DISCUSSION. These notes were first issued in 1960 to fulfill a need for guidance

material on the inspection and repair of steel merchant vessels. Experience in their use since that time has suggested certain changes which have been included in this revision. It is believed that these notes cover the more important aspects of hull structural inspection and repair. However, constructive comments and suggestions are solicited and will be the basis for such future revision of these notes as may be necessary.

Notes on Inspection and Repair of Steel Hulls — CANCELLATION. Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars Nos. 7-62 and 4-60 are

hereby cancelled.

Notes on Inspection and Repair of Steel Hulls — EFFECTIVE DATE. Upon Receipt.

Encl: (1) Notes on Inspection and Repair of Steel Hulls Prepared by MERCHANT MARINE TECHNICAL DIVISION U. S. Coast Guard Washington D. C.

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.