Notice of Availability and Request for Comments on Draft Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 02-99 Change 1-Guidance on the Streamlined Inspection Program

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Coast Guard announces the availability of draft Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 02-99, Change 1, Guidance on the Streamlined Inspection Program. NVIC 02-99, Change 1 would modernize the program guidance to reflect industry advancements in digital recordkeeping, maintenance management systems, and third-party auditing. This update would emphasize a risk-based verification model that reduces redundant physical inspections, broadens acceptable compliance formats, and provides updated procedures for deficiency management and temporary hull repairs.

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 162 (Monday, August 24, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 162 (Monday, August 24, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54729-54730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17216]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2026-0041]


Notice of Availability and Request for Comments on Draft 
Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 02-99 Change 1--Guidance on 
the Streamlined Inspection Program

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the availability of draft Navigation 
and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 02-99, Change 1, Guidance on the 
Streamlined Inspection Program. NVIC 02-99, Change 1 would modernize 
the program guidance to reflect industry advancements in digital 
recordkeeping, maintenance management systems, and third-party 
auditing. This update would emphasize a risk-based verification model 
that reduces redundant physical inspections, broadens acceptable 
compliance formats, and provides updated procedures for deficiency 
management and temporary hull repairs.

DATES: Comments must be submitted to the online docket via <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> on or before September 23, 2026.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2026-0041 at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. See the ``Public 
Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section for further instructions on submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document 
call or email LCDR Samuel Rodriguez, Coast Guard; telephone 571-608-
7959, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4f1c2e223a2a23611d202b3d26283a2a3562082021352e232a350f3a3c2c2861222623"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b6e5d7dbc3d3da98e4d9d2c4dfd1c3d3cc9bf1d9d8ccd7dad3ccf6c3c5d5d198dbdfda">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Participation and Comments

    We encourage you to submit comments (or related material) on the 
draft NVIC 02-99, Change 1 Guidance on the Streamlined Inspection 
Program. We will consider all submissions provided by the deadline and 
may adjust our final action based on your comments. If you submit a 
comment, please include the docket number for this notice, indicate the 
specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and 
provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation.
    Submitting comments. We encourage you to submit comments at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. To do so, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, type 
USCG-2026-0041 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, look for 
this document in the Search Results column, and click on it. Then click 
on the Comment option. If your material cannot be submitted using 
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>, contact the person in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate 
instructions.
    Viewing material in docket. To view documents mentioned in this 
notice as being available in the docket, find the docket as described 
in the previous paragraph, and then select ``Supporting & Related 
Material'' in the Document Type column. Public comments will also be 
placed in our online docket and can be viewed by following instructions 
on the <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> Frequently Asked Questions web page.
    Personal information. We accept anonymous comments. Comments we 
post to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> will include any personal 
information you have provided, except that contact information (such as 
email or mailing address) will not be available for public viewing, 
unless the submitter includes that information in the body of the 
docket submission. For more about privacy and submissions in response 
to this document, see DHS's eRulemaking System of Records notice (85 FR 
14226, March 11, 2020).

Discussion

    The Coast Guard is making available for comment a draft Change 1 to 
NVIC 02-99, Guidance on the Streamlined Inspection Program. Originally 
published in 1999, the Streamlined Inspection Program (SIP) provides an 
alternative, company-managed process for ensuring compliance with 
vessel inspection regulations. Since its inception, the maritime 
industry has modernized, increasingly relying on digital compliance 
systems, robust safety management systems, and third-party audits.
    This updated draft guidance would modernize the SIP to align with 
these industry advancements. The draft NVIC

[[Page 54730]]

would establish a risk-based verification model that reduces redundant 
physical inspections for high-performing operators, expands acceptable 
digital recordkeeping formats in lieu of legacy paper forms, and 
provides updated frameworks for deficiency management and temporary 
hull repairs. We request your comments on all aspects of this draft 
NVIC. Your comments will be considered in preparing the final version 
of the guidance.
    This notice is issued under authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 46 U.S.C. 
3103 and 3306; 46 CFR part 8, subpart E; and Department of Homeland 
Security Delegation No. 00170.1(II)(92).

    Dated: August 19, 2026.
C.F. Heard IV,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office of Commercial Vessel 
Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2026-17216 Filed 8-21-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


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