NVIC 10-65: Stability checks after uninspected vessel capsizings

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This circular is Coast Guard guidance on determining the stability characteristics of certain vessels that have capsized. For some recovered uninspected commercial vessels, the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will write to the owner and ask for voluntary cooperation.

Applies toCapsizing cases, where the vessel is recovered, involving uninspected commercial vessels such as tugs 26 feet and over, documented fishing vessels, offshore supply and cargo vessels, and passenger motor-boats or sail boats carrying six or less passengers.

What it says

  1. The circular says it is desirable, insofar as possible, to determine the stability characteristics of vessels that have capsized, to check existing stability standards and see whether changes may be needed.

    “it is considered desirable, insofar as possible, that the stability characteristics of vessels which have capsized be determined”

  2. Stability determinations are required for inspected vessels.

    “In the case of inspected vessels such stability determinations are required.”

  3. For certain uninspected vessels, stability determinations may also be made, subject to the owner's consent and cooperation.

    “In the case of certain uninspected vessels stability determinations may also be made subject to the consent and with the cooperation of the owner.”

  4. In covered capsizing cases where the vessel is recovered, the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will advise the owner in writing that having the vessel's stability characteristics determined is desirable.

    “the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will advise the owner in writing as to the desirability of having the stability characteristics of that vessel determined.”

  5. The owner will be asked to furnish all available plans. The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will forward them, with any data on the capsizing or stability, to the Coast Guard's Merchant Marine Technical Division for review.

    “The owner will be asked to furnish all available plans which the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will forward”

  6. If a stability test is needed, the owner will be advised that the Merchant Marine Technical Division will provide test supervision and other necessary technical service, and perform all required calculations.

    “Merchant Marine Technical Division will provide test supervision and other necessary technical service, and perform all required calculations.”

Common questions

Is a stability determination required for an uninspected vessel that capsized?

No. For certain uninspected vessels, a determination may be made subject to the owner's consent and cooperation. Stability determinations are required for inspected vessels.

“In the case of certain uninspected vessels stability determinations may also be made subject to the consent and with the cooperation of the owner.”

Will the Coast Guard need a stability test after a capsizing?

In some instances the Merchant Marine Technical Division may be able to make a determination from the plans and data alone. In most cases a stability test will be necessary.

“In most cases, however, a stability test will be necessary.”

What will the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection ask the owner of a capsized vessel?

The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will write to the owner and solicit voluntary cooperation. The owner will be asked to furnish all available plans.

“This letter will solicit the owners' voluntary cooperation to this end.”

The text of NVIC 10-65

U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 10-65 (main body; enclosures not shown)

Stability Determination Capsizing Cases Involving Uninspected Vessels

TREASURY DEPARTMENT UNITED STATES COAST GUARD COMMANDANT (MMT) U.S. COAST GUARD WASHINGTON. D.C. 20226 6 August 1965 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 1-65 Subj: Stability Determination in Capsizing Cases Involving Uninspected Vessels

Stability Determination Capsizing Cases Involving Uninspected Vessels — Purpose. This circular calls attention to the particular desirability of determining the stability

characteristics of certain vessels which have capsized and provides for action which may be taken in such cases.

Stability Determination Capsizing Cases Involving Uninspected Vessels — Discussion. Recognizing that the stability standards which are applied to vessels are a

rationalization of past experience, it is considered desirable, insofar as possible, that the stability characteristics of vessels which have capsized be determined in order to check the applicability of existing stability standards and to determine if a need for changes in these standards may be indicated. In the case of inspected vessels such stability determinations are required. In the case of certain uninspected vessels stability determinations may also be made subject to the consent and with the cooperation of the owner.

Stability Determination Capsizing Cases Involving Uninspected Vessels — Action. In capsizing cases, where the vessel is recovered, involving uninspected commercial vessels

such as tugs 26 feet and over, documented fishing vessels, offshore supply and cargo vessels, and passenger motor-boats or sail boats carrying six or less passengers, the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will advise the owner in writing as to the desirability of having the stability characteristics of that vessel determined. This letter will solicit the owners' voluntary cooperation to this end. The owner will be asked to furnish all available plans which the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection will forward, along with any data related to the capsizing or to the vessel's stability, to the Coast Guard's Merchant Marine Technical Division for review. In some instances it may be possible for that Division to make a stability determination from the plans and data alone. In most cases, however, a stability test will be necessary. The owner will be advised that in such case the Coast Guard's Merchant Marine Technical Division will provide test supervision and other necessary technical service, and perform all required calculations. Dist. (SDL No. 8l) A: None B: n(45); C: m(4); D: i(2); E: m(l); F: None List 112-155

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.