RADM Wayne Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, has signed a new Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) to provide guidance to public and private stakeholders participating in local Harbor Safety Committees (HSC) in order to improve and enhance local coordination of Marine Transportation System (MTS) issues.
NVIC 01-25 updates prior USCG guidance (NVIC 01-00, released in April 2000) and is intended to encourage existing HSCs to review their current state and consider whether opportunities exist to update or revise HSC practices to improve local coordination. NVIC 01-25 captures characteristics of the nation’s most mature and effective HSCs, which are recommended for adoption nationwide as standard business practices and seeks to inspire the development of HSCs where they do not currently exist. Because the Coast Guard has touch points with HSCs nationwide, it is in the best position to roll up this kind information and is thus providing this guidance as a service; it is meant to be supportive of both the local maritime community as well as USCG units.
In several places, NVIC 01-25 reminds the reader the USCG understands each HSC is unique and will adopt the things that make sense for their local community. The USCG is not directing specific action through this guidance document; we are encouraging and enabling excellence based on what USCG has seen works best from its vantage point. A number of external partners from local HSCs around the nation, as well as various USCG units, provided valuable insight and perspective throughout the development of this NVIC.
NVIC 01-25 is available here.
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