Assisting the maritime industry in regulatory compliance

Bryant’s Maritime Consulting

US Coast Guard





In addition to the various maritime security regulations promulgated by the US Coast Guard following enactment of the Maritime Security Transportation Act (MTSA) and now found in Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), the Coast Guard has also issued a series of guidance documents (officially called Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars or NVICs) explaining how the regulated community can comply with the requirements. Links to the various maritime security NVICs follow. Note that some of the NVICs have been amended over time. If the NVIC has been entirely reissued, only the reissue is linked. If the amendment was partial, the various changes are included. Several of the NVICs were so voluminous that they have been issued in parts.

NVIC 4-02 – Security for passenger vessels and passenger terminals

NVIC 9-02 – Guidelines for port security committeess and port security plans required for US ports

NVIC 9-02 Change 1 (Part 1) – Guidelines for development of area maritime security committees and area maritime security plans required for US ports

NVIC 9-02 Change 1 (Part 2) – Guidelines for development of area maritime security committees and area maritime security plans required for US ports

NVIC 9-02 Change 2 – Guidelines for development of area maritime security committees and area maritime security plans required for US ports

NVIC 9-02 Change 3 – Guidelines for development of area maritime security committees and area maritime security plans required for US ports

NVIC 10-02 Change 1 – Security guidelines for vessels

NVIC 11-02 Change 1 – Recommended security guidelines for facilities

NVIC 03-03 Change 1 – Implementation guidance for the regulations mandated by the MTSA for facilities

NVIC 04-03 Change 1 – Guidance for verification of vessel security plans on domestic vessels in accordance with the MTSA regulations and the ISPS Code

NVIC 04-03 Change 2 – Guidance for verification of vessel security plans on domestic vessels in accordance with the MTSA regulations and the ISPS Code

NVIC 04-03 Change 3 – Guidance for verification of vessel security plans on domestic vessels in accordance with the MTSA regulations and the ISPS Code

NVIC 05-03 – Implementation guidance for the maritime security regulations mandated by the MTSA for outer continental shelf facilities

NVIC 06-03 Change 2 – Coast Guard port state control targeting and examination policy for vessel security and safety

NVIC 06-04 – Voluntary screening guidance for owners and operators regulated under Parts 104, 105, and 106 of Subchapter H of Title 33, CFR

NVIC 10-04 (Part 1) – Guidelines for handling Sensitive Security Information (SSI)

NVIC 10-04 (Part 2) – Guidelines for handling Sensitive Security Information (SSI)

NVIC 12-04 – Maritime security compliance and enforcement for US/Canadian boundary and coastal waters

NVIC 02-05 – International Port Security (IPS) program

NVIC 03-07 – Guidance for implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program in the maritime sector

SSAS Post Incident Report – Accidental Activation

    logo11 Interviews on Jones Act issues re oil spill response

    I was interviewed by a reporter for NPR (previously known as National Public Radio) for their "All Things Considered" program. The interview addressed a number of issues regarding the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The only portion of the interview that made it into print and on the air was my discussion of the impact (or non-impact) of the Jones Act on the response to the spill. My comments were taken slightly out of context, but are basically correct. I find it surprising how a few individuals throwing up an obscure statute as the reason that the oil has not been swept from the Gulf of Mexico has gotten so much coverage. (7/10/10).

    Prior to the NPR interview, I was interviewed by a reporter for Florida Public Radio regarding the impact of the Jones Act (and other cabotage laws) on the response to the ongoing Gulf of Mexico oil spill. A report of that interview, with a link to the actual broadcast thereof, is attached. The interview took over 20 minutes and the radio broadcast condensed that down to about two minutes, so numerous details relating to cabotage have been glossed over or omitted. (6/23/10).