The Office of Design and Engineering Standards announces the availability of Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 03-19, “Maintenance, Thorough Examination, Operational Testing, Overhaul And Repair Of Lifeboats And Rescue Boats, Launching Appliances And Release Gear” dated Nov. 20, 2019.  NVIC 03-19 supersedes and cancels NVIC 04-07.  

NVIC 03-19 provides guidance to the maritime industry and Coast Guard personnel describing how vessel owners and operators may comply with amendments to SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 3 and 20, that will enter into force on January 1, 2020.  Additionally, NVIC 03-19 provides guidance with respect to IMO Resolution MSC.402(96), “Requirements For Maintenance, Thorough Examination, Operational Testing, Overhaul And Repair Of Lifeboats And Rescue Boats, Launching Appliances And Release Gear.”

Vessel owners and operators, lifesaving equipment manufacturers, servicing and repair facilities, and associated personnel may use NVIC 03-19 to ensure that the servicing and maintenance of lifeboats, rescue boats, release gear, and launching systems for their vessels subject to the requirements of SOLAS are carried out in accordance with SOLAS Chapter III Regulations 3 and 20, and IMO Resolution MSC.402(96).  Further, NVIC 03-19 outlines how the USCG will authorize service providers through a verification process by Authorized Classification Societies, and the expected roles and responsibilities of the respective stakeholders as it relates to these new amendments to SOLAS Chapter III and Resolution MSC.402(96).

For full details, view or download NVIC 03-19. For questions, please contact the Coast Guard’s Lifesaving and Fire Safety Division (CG-ENG-4) at typeapproval@uscg.mil.

This blog is not a replacement or substitute for the formal posting of regulations and updates or existing processes for receiving formal feedback of the same. Links provided on this blog will direct the reader to official source documents, such as the Federal Register, Homeport and the Code of Federal Regulations. These documents remain the official source for regulatory information published by the Coast Guard.