NVIC 11-91: Ocean tow guidelines for jackup drilling units
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This circular is Coast Guard guidance that endorses an IADC booklet of ocean tow recommendations for jackup drilling units. The Coast Guard says using the guidelines will reduce the risk of losing jackup units in severe storms under ocean tow. Owners, classification societies and marine underwriters should implement the recommendations.
Applies toThe circular is directed to drilling contractors, classification society surveyors, insurance underwriters marine surveyors, owners, marine underwriters and Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection.
What it says
The circular's purpose is to call attention to and endorse the IADC booklet "General Ocean Tow Recommendations for Jackup Drilling Units" dated February 13, 1991.
“The purpose of this Circular is to call attention to and endorse the International”
The Coast Guard endorses the guidelines set out in enclosure (1).
“The Coast Guard endorses the guidelines set out in enclosure (1).”
The Coast Guard states that use of the guidelines by drilling contractors, classification society surveyors and insurance underwriters marine surveyors will reduce the risk of losing jackup drilling units during severe storms under ocean tow.
“will reduce the risk of the loss of jackup drilling units during severe storms while under ocean tow.”
Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection are urged to bring enclosure (1) to the attention of appropriate individuals in the offshore industry in their zones.
NVIC 11-91 a.“Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection are urged to bring enclosure (1) to the attention of”
Owners, classification societies and marine underwriters should implement the recommendations of enclosure (1) in order to reduce the risk of the loss of jackup units.
NVIC 11-91 b.“Owners, classification societies and marine underwriters should implement the recommendations of enclosure (1) in order to reduce the risk of the loss of jackup units.”
Common questions
What is NVIC 11-91 about?
It is a Coast Guard circular that calls attention to and endorses an IADC booklet of ocean tow recommendations for jackup drilling units.
“The purpose of this Circular is to call attention to and endorse the International”
Why did the Coast Guard issue guidelines on towing jackup drilling units?
Recent losses of a number of jackup drilling units under tow in severe storms showed the need for guidelines on ocean tows of these units.
“The recent loss of a number of jackup drilling units while under tow in severe”
Who should implement the jackup ocean tow recommendations?
Owners, classification societies and marine underwriters should implement the recommendations of enclosure (1).
“Owners, classification societies and marine underwriters should implement the recommendations of enclosure (1) in order to reduce the risk of the loss of jackup units.”
The text of NVIC 11-91
U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 11-91 (main body; enclosures not shown)
Ocean Tow of Jackup Drilling Units
NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 11-91 COMDTPUB P16700.4 NVIC 11-91 16 Jul 1991 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 11-91 Subj: Ocean Tow of Jackup Drilling Units
Ocean Tow of Jackup Drilling Units — PURPOSE. The purpose of this Circular is to call attention to and endorse the International
Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) booklet entitled "General Ocean Tow Recommendations for Jackup Drilling Units" dated February 13, 1991.
Ocean Tow of Jackup Drilling Units — BACKGROUND. The recent loss of a number of jackup drilling units while under tow in severe
storms emphasized to the Coast Guard and industry the need to develop a set of guidelines on the ocean tow of jackup drilling units. The Coast Guard suggested to industry under the auspices of the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC) that a working group be formed to study the problem and develop a set of guidelines. This working group consisted of personnel from the drilling industry, classification societies and insurance underwriters marine surveyors. The guideline booklet was completed and accepted by NOSAC at its February 21, 1991 meeting, with the request that it be issued by the Coast Guard as a Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular.
Ocean Tow of Jackup Drilling Units — DISCUSSION. The Coast Guard endorses the guidelines set out in enclosure (1). Use of these
guidelines by drilling contractors, classification society surveyors and insurance underwriters marine surveyors will reduce the risk of the loss of jackup drilling units during severe storms while under ocean tow. 4 IMPLEMENTATION. a. Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection are urged to bring enclosure (1) to the attention of appropriate individuals in the offshore industry in their zones. b. Owners, classification societies and marine underwriters should implement the recommendations of enclosure (1) in order to reduce the risk of the loss of jackup units. End: (1) General Ocean Tow Recommendations for Jackup Drilling Units (IADC) dated February 13,
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.