NVIC 12-69: Special examination instead of drydocking for drilling units

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This circular is Coast Guard guidance that sets out procedures for an examination in lieu of drydocking on large mobile drilling units. It does not establish a new requirement but provides uniform procedures for an existing one. The text also makes the owner responsible for the examination when a drydock examination becomes due while the vessel is at an overseas location.

Applies toLarge mobile drilling units that are examined in lieu of drydocking.

What it says

  1. This circular does not set a new requirement; it gives uniform procedures for an existing requirement.

    NVIC 12-69 1“This circular does not establish a new requirement but is intended to provide uniform procedures for an existing requirement.”

  2. The text says certain types of mobile drilling units have not been exempted from the routine drydock requirement of the regulations under which they were certificated.

    NVIC 12-69 2“These units have not been exempted from the routine drydock requirement of the regulations under which they were certificated.”

  3. A special examination is required to provide the information normally obtained during a drydock examination.

    NVIC 12-69 2“a special examination is required to provide the information normally obtained during a drydock examination.”

  4. Special examinations in lieu of drydocking will be conducted under the procedures in Enclosure (1), insofar as they apply to the unit being examined.

    NVIC 12-69 3“Special examinations in lieu of drydocking will be conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in Enclosure (1) insofar as they are applicable to the unit being examined.”

  5. The owner is responsible for conducting an examination under these procedures when a drydock examination becomes due while the vessel is operating at an overseas location.

    NVIC 12-69 3“it is the responsibility of the owner to conduct an examination in accordance with the procedures set forth herein in cases where a drydock examination becomes due while the vessel is operating at an overseas location.”

  6. The results of the owner conducted examination shall be entered in the vessel's log book.

    NVIC 12-69 3“The results of this owner conducted examination shall be entered in the vessel's log book.”

Common questions

Why is a special examination needed for some mobile drilling units?

Certain types of mobile drilling units are so large that no existing drydock facility can handle them. They have not been exempted from the routine drydock requirement, so a special examination is required.

“In recent years, certain types of mobile drilling units have been built and certificated which are so large that they cannot be handled by any existing drydock facility.”

Who conducts the examination when a drydock exam comes due overseas?

The owner is responsible for conducting the examination under the circular's procedures when a drydock examination becomes due while the vessel is operating at an overseas location.

“it is the responsibility of the owner to conduct an examination in accordance with the procedures set forth herein in cases where a drydock examination becomes due while the vessel is operating at an overseas location.”

Where must the results of an owner conducted examination be recorded?

The results of the owner conducted examination shall be entered in the vessel's log book.

“The results of this owner conducted examination shall be entered in the vessel's log book.”

Does NVIC 12-69 create a new requirement?

No. It gives uniform procedures for an existing requirement.

“This circular does not establish a new requirement but is intended to provide uniform procedures for an existing requirement.”

The text of NVIC 12-69

U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 12-69 (main body; enclosures not shown)

Special Examination in Lieu of Drydocking for Large Mobile Drilling Units

NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 12-69 Subj: Special Examination In Lieu of Drydocking for Large Mobile Drilling Units

Special Examination in Lieu of Drydocking for Large Mobile Drilling Units — Purpose. To set forth procedures to be used when conducting an examination in lieu of drydocking on large mobile drilling units. This circular does not establish a new requirement but is intended to provide uniform procedures for an existing requirement.

Purpose. To set forth procedures to be used when conducting an examination in lieu of drydocking on large mobile drilling units. This circular does not establish a new requirement but is intended to provide uniform procedures for an existing requirement.

Special Examination in Lieu of Drydocking for Large Mobile Drilling Units — Discussion. In recent years, certain types of mobile drilling units have been built and certificated which are so large that they cannot be handled by any existing drydock facility. These units have not been exempted from the routine drydock requirement of the regulations under which they were certificated. In view of the above, a special examination is required to provide the information normally obtained during a drydo

2. Discussion. In recent years, certain types of mobile drilling units have been built and certificated which are so large that they cannot be handled by any existing drydock facility. These units have not been exempted from the routine drydock requirement of the regulations under which they were certificated. In view of the above, a special examination is required to provide the information normally obtained during a drydock examination.

Special Examination in Lieu of Drydocking for Large Mobile Drilling Units — Action. Special examinations in lieu of drydocking will be conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in Enclosure (1) insofar as they are applicable to the unit being examined. The interval between such time as the Coast Guard offers inspection service at overseas locations, it is the responsibility of the owner to conduct an examination in accordance with the procedures set forth herein in cases where a dryd

3. Action. Special examinations in lieu of drydocking will be conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in Enclosure (1) insofar as they are applicable to the unit being examined. The interval between such time as the Coast Guard offers inspection service at overseas locations, it is the responsibility of the owner to conduct an examination in accordance with the procedures set forth herein in cases where a drydock examination becomes due while the vessel is operating at an overseas location. The results of this owner conducted examination shall be entered in the vessel's log book. Encl: (1) Examination Procedures Dist: (SDL No. 88) A: None B: n(4); c(1D); q(6); wq(3); bF(1) C: a(4); o(2) D: i(2); k(1) E: o(2) 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.