Cancellation of Obsolete Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular
The Coast Guard announces the cancellation of an obsolete Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC). NVICs are guidance documents issued by the Coast Guard. While they do...
The Coast Guard announces the cancellation of an obsolete Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC). NVICs are guidance documents issued by the Coast Guard. While they do not have the force of law, NVICs help ensure Coast Guard inspections and other regulatory actions conducted by field personnel are complete and consistent. Similarly, the marine industry and the general public rely on NVICs to assess how the Coast Guard will enforce certain regulations or conduct various marine safety programs. Thus, to avoid confusion, it is important that the public be notified when NVICs are cancelled.
DATES:
NVIC 01-04 was cancelled on December 2, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For information about this document, call or email CDR Brad Peifer, Coast Guard; telephone 571-608-7869, email
Bradley.C.Peifer@uscg.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background and Purpose
NVICs provide detailed guidance about compliance with certain Coast Guard marine safety programs and the enforcement of marine safety regulations governing those programs. While NVICs are non-directive, meaning that they do not have the force of law, they are important tools for helping the public comply with the law. To best serve the public and maritime industry, the Coast Guard is reviewing and actively managing its policies to ensure that all published NVICs are consistent with current practices.
The Coast Guard is issuing this document under 5 U.S.C. 552. This document serves to inform the public about the cancellation and removal of an obsolete and outdated Coast Guard NVIC that does not reflect current practices and that potentially conflicts with more recent guidance.
NVIC Being Cancelled
NVIC 01-04, SHIPBOARD TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION PROGRAM (STEP): EXPERIMENTAL BALLAST WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS, sets out the procedures for vessel owners/operators to apply for acceptance into the Shipboard Technology Evaluation Program. The STEP is a Coast Guard research program intended to facilitate research, development, and shipboard testing of effective ballast water management systems. 33 CFR 151.2005. STEP participation is available to all foreign and domestic vessels subject to the Coast Guard's Ballast Water Management regulations.
Experience gained since the STEP was initiated has shown that the application process can be significantly streamlined. The procedures outlined in the NVIC are outdated and no longer needed.
Dated: August 7, 2026.
S.A. Koch,
Captain, U. S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office of Operating and Environmental Standards.
5 U.S.C. 552
33 CFR 151.2005