NVIC 10-81: Guidance for certifying existing vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

NVIC 10-81 is Coast Guard guidance on how current rules should be applied to certain categories of existing vessels. It includes an enclosed guide developed for Cargo and Miscellaneous Vessels, Tank Vessels and Oceanographic Vessels. The guide does not amend the regulations.

Applies toIt applies to foreign flag vessels brought under U.S. flag that are at least two but not more than ten years old, certain U.S. flag vessels, and wrecked vessels eligible to register.

What it says

  1. The Circular gives the marine industry and Coast Guard personnel uniform guidance on applying Coast Guard rules and regulations to certain categories of existing vessels.

    “to provide the marine industry and Coast Guard personnel with uniform guidance regarding the application of Coast Guard rules and regulations to”

  2. The Circular and its enclosed guide supersede the previously issued NVC 12-65.

    “This Circular and enclosed guide supersedes the previously issued”

  3. The guidance covers foreign flag vessels brought under U.S. flag and Coast Guard certification and inspection that are at least two but not more than ten years old.

    NVIC 10-81 a“Foreign flag vessels brought under U.S. flag and Coast Guard certification and inspection, that are at least two but not more than ten years old”

  4. The guidance covers U.S. flag vessels that are Coast Guard certificated and inspected and are undergoing major alteration or modification.

    NVIC 10-81 b“U.S. flag vessels that are Coast Guard certificated and inspected and undergoing major”

  5. The guide does not include Passenger Vessels, Offshore Supply Vessels or Mobile Offshore Drilling Units.

    “Passenger Vessels, Offshore Supply Vessels and Mobile Offshore Drilling Units are not included in the guide.”

  6. Nothing in the guide amends the applicable requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations.

    “Nothing contained in this guide shall be taken as amending the applicable requirements set forth in the Code”

Common questions

What is the purpose of NVIC 10-81?

It gives the marine industry and Coast Guard personnel uniform guidance on applying Coast Guard rules and regulations to certain categories of existing vessels.

“to provide the marine industry and Coast Guard personnel with uniform guidance regarding the application of Coast Guard rules and regulations to”

Does the guide in NVIC 10-81 include passenger vessels?

No. The guide does not include Passenger Vessels, Offshore Supply Vessels or Mobile Offshore Drilling Units.

“Passenger Vessels, Offshore Supply Vessels and Mobile Offshore Drilling Units are not included in the guide.”

Can other alternatives to the guide be acceptable?

Yes. The text says other alternatives to those in the guide may be equally acceptable based on a specific application.

“Other alternatives to those in the guide may”

The text of NVIC 10-81

U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 10-81 (main body; enclosures not shown)

Coast Guard Certification and Inspection of Certain Categories of Existing Vessels

NVIC 10-81 5 Oct 1981 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR No. 10-81, CHANGE 1 INCLUDED Electronic Version for Distribution Via the World Wide Web Subj: Coast Guard Certification and Inspection of Certain Categories or Existing Vessels

Coast Guard Certification and Inspection of Certain Categories of Existing Vessels — PURPOSE The purpose of this Circular is to provide the marine industry and Coast Guard

personnel with uniform guidance regarding the application of Coast Guard rules and regulations to certain categories of existing vessels.

Coast Guard Certification and Inspection of Certain Categories of Existing Vessels — DIRECTIVE AFFECTED. This Circular and enclosed guide supersedes the previously issued

NVC 12-65.

Coast Guard Certification and Inspection of Certain Categories of Existing Vessels — APPLICATION. This guidance applies to the following categories of existing vessels:

a. Foreign flag vessels brought under U.S. flag and Coast Guard certification and inspection, that are at least two but not more than ten years old b. U.S. flag vessels that are Coast Guard certificated and inspected and undergoing major alteration or modification c. U.S. flag vessels that are brought under Coast Guard certification and inspection d. Wrecked vessels that are eligible to register under the provisions or 46 U.S.C. 14

Coast Guard Certification and Inspection of Certain Categories of Existing Vessels — DISCUSSION. Enclosure (1) is a guide for determining the extent to which current Coast Guard

regulations should be applied to the above categories or existing vessels. The guide was developed for vessels that are Coast Guard certificated and inspected as Cargo and Miscellaneous Vessels, Tank Vessels and Oceanographic Vessels. Passenger Vessels, Offshore Supply Vessels and Mobile Offshore Drilling Units are not included in the guide. Other alternatives to those in the guide may be equally acceptable based on a specific application. Nothing contained in this guide shall be taken as amending the applicable requirements set forth in the Code or Federal Regulations, nor as limiting the authority of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection in his determination of acceptable materials, construction and testing.

Coast Guard Certification and Inspection of Certain Categories of Existing Vessels — ACTION. Enclosure (1) is for use by the marine industry and Coast Guard personnel in

determining the extent to which current Coast Guard rules and regulations should be applied to certain categories of existing vessels. NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR No. 10-81, CHANGE 1 INCLUDED End: (l) Guide for Coast Guard Certification and Inspection of Certain Categories of Existing Vessels NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: Ce: Baltimore (75); San Francisco, Mobile, Pittsburgh, Providence, Boston, Norfolk (50); Galveston (30); Cleveland, Portland, OR, Sturgeon Bay (25); San Diego, Savannah, Buffalo, Corpus Christi (20); Tampa, Valdez, Milwaukee, Louisville, Detroit, Toledo, Nashville, Anchorage (15) ; Portland, ME, Duluth, Charleston, Huntington, Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul (Dubuque), San Juan, Guam (10); Juneau, Cincinnati, Memphis, Wilimington, Paducah, Albany, (5) extra Cm: New Orleans(250); New York(200); Seattle(l00); Houston(50); Terminal Is. (LA-LB), Philadelphia(40) extra Em: New London, Houma (30); Ludington(8) extra En: Ketchikan, Lake Charles, Kenai, Kodiak (5) extra

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.