NVIC 07-95: Inspection and repair of wooden hulls

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular is Coast Guard guidance on inspecting, repairing and maintaining wooden hulls. It replaces NVIC 1-63 and serves as a tool for applying good marine practice. It does not limit the authority of the Officer-in-Charge, Marine Inspection.

Applies toThe Circular provides guidance to Coast Guard marine inspectors, vessel owners, and shipyards for Coast Guard certificated wooden vessels.

What it says

  1. The Circular gives guidance to Coast Guard marine inspectors, vessel owners, and shipyards on inspecting, repairing, and maintaining Coast Guard certificated wooden vessels.

    “This Circular provides guidance to Coast Guard marine inspectors, vessel owners, and shipyards relating to the inspection, repair, and maintenance of Coast Guard certificated wooden vessels.”

  2. NVIC 1-63 is cancelled.

    “NVIC 1-63 is cancelled.”

  3. This revision supersedes the former NVIC 1-63 by incorporating modern construction and repair technologies presently in use by the industry.

    NVIC 07-95 a.“This revision supersedes the former NVIC 1-63 "Notes on Inspection and Repair of Wooden Hulls" by incorporating modern construction and repair technologies presently in use by the industry.”

  4. The Circular provides guidelines on inspecting vessel fastenings by removal on plank-on-frame vessels.

    NVIC 07-95 a.“guidelines concerning the inspection of vessel fastenings by removal on plank-on-frame vessels is provided.”

  5. The Circular is a guide that should be used as a tool in applying good marine practice when inspecting and evaluating repairs on wooden boats.

    NVIC 07-95 a.“This document is intended as a guide and should be used as a tool in "applying good marine practice" when inspecting and evaluating repairs on wooden boats.”

  6. The Circular does not limit the authority or responsibility of the Officer-in-Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) in exercising good judgment.

    NVIC 07-95 a.“It does not limit the authority or responsibility of the Officer-in-Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) in the exercise of his/her good judgment.”

  7. OCMIs are encouraged to bring this change to the attention of appropriate individuals in the marine industry within their zones.

    NVIC 07-95 b.“OCMIs are encouraged to bring this change to the attention of appropriate individuals in the marine industry within their zones.”

Common questions

What does NVIC 7-95 cover?

It gives guidance on inspecting, repairing, and maintaining Coast Guard certificated wooden vessels. It is addressed to Coast Guard marine inspectors, vessel owners, and shipyards.

“This Circular provides guidance to Coast Guard marine inspectors, vessel owners, and shipyards relating to the inspection, repair, and maintenance of Coast Guard certificated wooden vessels.”

Does NVIC 7-95 replace NVIC 1-63?

Yes. NVIC 1-63 is cancelled, and this revision supersedes it.

“NVIC 1-63 is cancelled.”

Is NVIC 7-95 mandatory?

No. It is intended as a guide and a tool for applying good marine practice, and it does not limit the OCMI's authority or responsibility.

“It does not limit the authority or responsibility of the Officer-in-Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) in the exercise of his/her good judgment.”

What corrosion topics does NVIC 7-95 discuss?

It includes detailed explanations of stray current, galvanic, replacement, and crevice corrosion, and a detailed discussion on bonding systems.

“Also included are detailed explanations of stray current, galvanic, replacement, and crevice corrosion as well as a detailed discussion on bonding systems.”

The text of NVIC 07-95

U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 07-95 (main body; enclosures not shown)

Guidance on Inspection, Repair and Maintenance of Wooden Hulls

NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 7-95 SUBJ: GUIDANCE ON INSPECTION, REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF WOODEN HULLS

Guidance on Inspection, Repair and Maintenance of Wooden Hulls — PURPOSE. This Circular provides guidance to Coast Guard marine inspectors, vessel owners, and shipyards relating to the inspection, repair, and maintenance of Coast Guard certificated wooden vessels.

PURPOSE. This Circular provides guidance to Coast Guard marine inspectors, vessel owners, and shipyards relating to the inspection, repair, and maintenance of Coast Guard certificated wooden vessels.

Guidance on Inspection, Repair and Maintenance of Wooden Hulls — DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. NVIC 1-63 is cancelled.

DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. NVIC 1-63 is cancelled.

Guidance on Inspection, Repair and Maintenance of Wooden Hulls — DISCUSSION.

a. This revision supersedes the former NVIC 1-63 "Notes on Inspection and Repair of Wooden Hulls" by incorporating modern construction and repair technologies presently in use by the industry. In addition, guidelines concerning the inspection of vessel fastenings by removal on plank-on-frame vessels is provided. b. Other significant updates include a discussion of hull damage due to termites, evaluation of enclosed hull areas with continuous ceilings, and a revision of frame sistering repair methods. Also included are detailed explanations of stray current, galvanic, replacement, and crevice corrosion as well as a detailed discussion on bonding systems. c. This NVIC further discusses various sheathing methods in use on certificated vessels which incorporate new technologies in restoring strength and watertightness to wooden hulls. DISTRIBUTION - SDL No. 133 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B * 2 10 1 1 132 1 1 30 C * 1 D 1 1 1* 1 * E 2 2 F 1 1 1 G H NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: (See page 2.) NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO.

Guidance on Inspection, Repair and Maintenance of Wooden Hulls — ACTION.

a. This document is intended as a guide and should be used as a tool in "applying good marine practice" when inspecting and evaluating repairs on wooden boats. It does not limit the authority or responsibility of the Officer-in-Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) in the exercise of his/her good judgment. b. OCMIs are encouraged to bring this change to the attention of appropriate individuals in the marine industry within their zones. (Signature) L.N. NACCARA CAPTAIN, U.S. COAST GUARD ACTING CHIEF, OFFICE OF MARINE SAFETY, SECURITY & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Encl: (1) Guidance on Inspection, Repair and Maintenance of Wooden Hulls Non-Standard Distribution: B:a Commandant (G-MCO) (20); Commandant (G-MMS) (10); Commandant (G-MO-1) (5); Commandant (G-MAO) (10). C:e New Orleans (90); Hampton Roads (50); Baltimore (45); San Francisco, Puget Sound (40); Philadelphia, Port Arthur, Honolulu (35); Miami, Houston, Mobile, Long Beach, Morgan City (25); Jacksonville, Portland OR, (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 Ste Marie (5). C:m New York (70); Sturgeon Bay (4). D:d Except Baltimore, Moriches and Grand Haven. D:1 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 World Maritime University, CG Liaison Officer ABS (1), Maritime Liaison Office Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Commander (1). NOAA Fleet Inspection Officer (1). U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1).

Sections it refers to

  • NVIC 1-63

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.