NVIC 08-94: Guidance on Federal pilotage requirements
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular is Coast Guard guidance, not a regulation. It gives Captains of the Port and industry answers to various questions about Federal pilotage requirements. It cancels NVIC 3-91 and points to the pilot licensing and manning regulations.
Applies toThe circular is provided for Coast Guard Captains of the Port (COTPs) and members of industry.
What it says
The circular provides Coast Guard Captains of the Port and members of industry with answers to various questions about Federal pilotage requirements.
“This Circular provides Coast Guard Captains of the Port (COTPs) and members of”
This circular cancels NVIC 3-91, Interpretations of Various Issues Regarding Pilots and the Pilotage Regulations.
“Interpretations of Various Issues Regarding Pilots and the Pilotage Regulations, NVIC 3-91, is hereby canceled.”
The pilot licensing regulations are located at 46 CFR §10.701 through §10.713.
“The pilot licensing regulations are located at 46 CFR §10.701 through §10.713.”
The pilot manning regulations are located at 46 CFR §15.812.
“The pilot manning regulations are located at 46 CFR §15.812.”
Enclosure (1) is meant to answer some of the common questions asked about topics related to Federal pilotage requirements.
“Enclosure (1) is meant to answer some of the common questions asked about topics related to”
Common questions
What does NVIC 8-94 cancel?
It cancels NVIC 3-91, Interpretations of Various Issues Regarding Pilots and the Pilotage Regulations.
“Interpretations of Various Issues Regarding Pilots and the Pilotage Regulations, NVIC 3-91, is hereby canceled.”
Where are the Federal pilot licensing regulations?
The text says the pilot licensing regulations are located at 46 CFR §10.701 through §10.713.
“The pilot licensing regulations are located at 46 CFR §10.701 through §10.713.”
Where are the Federal pilot manning regulations?
The text says the pilot manning regulations are located at 46 CFR §15.812.
“The pilot manning regulations are located at 46 CFR §15.812.”
The text of NVIC 08-94
U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 08-94 (main body; enclosures not shown)
Issues Regarding Federal Pilotage
United States Coast Guard COMDTPUB P16700.4 NVIC 8 - 94 4 October 1994 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 8-94 Electronic Version for Distribution on the World Wide Web Subj: ISSUES REGARDING FEDERAL PILOTAGE
Issues Regarding Federal Pilotage — PURPOSE. This Circular provides Coast Guard Captains of the Port (COTPs) and members of
industry with answers to various questions regarding Federal pilotage requirements.
Issues Regarding Federal Pilotage — DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. Interpretations of Various Issues Regarding Pilots and the Pilotage
Regulations, NVIC 3-91, is hereby canceled.
Issues Regarding Federal Pilotage — DISCUSSION. Regulations concerning pilots have been under revision since about 1980. There
have been numerous changes to the regulations, and consequently, there are areas where interpretations and guidance are necessary. The pilot licensing regulations are located at 46 CFR §10.701 through §10.713. The pilot manning regulations are located at 46 CFR §15.812. Enclosure (1) is meant to answer some of the common questions asked about topics related to Federal pilotage requirements. .
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.