NVIC 08-89: Emergency towing recommendations for tankers

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This Circular is Coast Guard guidance, not a regulation. It calls attention to and endorses IMO Resolution A.535(13), which makes recommendations on emergency towing equipment for tank ships. It encourages owners and operators of tank ships to consider those recommendations.

Applies toThe text addresses tank ships, Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection, and owners and operators of tank ships.

What it says

  1. The purpose of this Circular is to call attention to and endorse IMO Resolution A.535(13), adopted by the full assembly of the International Maritime Organization on 17 November 1983.

    “The purpose of this Circular is to call attention to and endorse IMO Resolution”

  2. Resolution A.535(13) provides recommendations on emergency towing equipment for tank ships, and the resolution is included as enclosure (1) of this Circular.

    NVIC 08-89 a.“Resolution A.535(13) provides recommendations on emergency towing equipment for tank ships.”

  3. The Coast Guard endorses the recommendations of Resolution A.535(13).

    NVIC 08-89 a.“The Coast Guard endorses the recommendations of Resolution A.535(13).”

  4. Implementation of the recommendations on all tankships should improve overall operating safety.

    NVIC 08-89 a.“Implementation of these recommendations on all tankships should improve overall operating safety.”

  5. Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection are urged to bring enclosure (1) to the attention of appropriate individuals in the marine industry in their zones.

    NVIC 08-89 a.“Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection are urged to bring enclosure (1) to the attention of”

  6. Owners and operators of tank ships are encouraged to consider the recommendations of enclosure (1) in order to enhance safety by being better prepared for emergencies.

    NVIC 08-89 b.“Owners and operators of tank ships are encouraged to consider the recommendations of”

Common questions

What is NVIC 08-89 about?

It calls attention to and endorses IMO Resolution A.535(13), which recommends emergency towing requirements for tankers.

“The purpose of this Circular is to call attention to and endorse IMO Resolution”

Does the Coast Guard endorse Resolution A.535(13)?

Yes. The Coast Guard endorses the recommendations of Resolution A.535(13).

“The Coast Guard endorses the recommendations of Resolution A.535(13).”

Are tank ship owners required to follow the emergency towing recommendations?

The Circular says owners and operators of tank ships are encouraged to consider the recommendations of enclosure (1). It does not state this as a requirement.

“Owners and operators of tank ships are encouraged to consider the recommendations of”

Do tank ships with single point mooring systems already meet the resolution?

Tank ships outfitted for operation with a single point mooring system may already comply with most of the provisions of Resolution A.535(13).

“Tank ships outfitted for operation with a single point mooring system may already”

The text of NVIC 08-89

U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 08-89 (main body; enclosures not shown)

Recommendations Concerning Emergency Towing of Tankers

Coast Guard NVIC 889 8 Jan 1996 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 8-89 Electronic Version for Distribution on the World Wide Web Subject: Recommendations Concerning Emergency Towing of Tankers

Recommendations Concerning Emergency Towing of Tankers — PURPOSE. The purpose of this Circular is to call attention to and endorse IMO Resolution

A.535(13), "Recommendation on Emergency Towing Requirements for Tankers," which was adopted by the full assembly of the International Maritime Organization on 17 November 1983.

Recommendations Concerning Emergency Towing of Tankers — BACKGROUND.

a. Resolution A.535(13) provides recommendations on emergency towing equipment for tank ships. The resolution is included as enclosure (1) of this Circular. b. A recent series of casualties involving tank ships has brought renewed interest to contingencies for emergency evolutions. Emergency towing can be facilitated by implementation of the recommendations of Resolution A.535(13) on the positioning and strength of emergency towing equipment. Efficient emergency towing may aid in the prevention or mitigation of serious tank ship casualties.

Recommendations Concerning Emergency Towing of Tankers — DISCUSSION.

a. The Coast Guard endorses the recommendations of Resolution A.535(13). Implementation of these recommendations on all tankships should improve overall operating safety. b. Tank ships outfitted for operation with a single point mooring system may already comply with most of the provisions of Resolution A.535(13). 4 IMPLEMENTATION. a. Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection are urged to bring enclosure (1) to the attention of appropriate individuals in the marine industry in their zones. b. Owners and operators of tank ships are encouraged to consider the recommendations of enclosure (1) in order to enhance safety by being better prepared for emergencies.

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.