Aug. 26, 2025

Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 01-16 (Change 3): Equivalency Determination for Chart and Publication Carriage Requirements

The Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy has released NVIC 01-16 Change 3, updating the Equivalency Determination for Chart and Publication Carriage Requirements. This circular clarifies acceptable equivalencies for electronic navigational charts (ENCs), electronic publications, and ENC-derived paper nautical charts. It provides alternative compliance options pertaining to chart and publication carriage requirements stipulated in 33 and 46 CFR.

Aug. 12, 2025

FY2025 Port Security Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity

On August 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year 2025 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP). This grant provides funding to state, local, territorial, and private sector maritime partners for increased port-wide risk management and protect critical Marine Transportation System infrastructure from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies.

Aug. 11, 2025

U.S. Coast Guard Releases Report of the Investigation into the presumed loss of life onboard the excursion vessel Blackbeard's Revenge

The Coast Guard’s Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis (CG-INV) recently posted Report of Investigation (ROI) to Marine Casualty Reports (uscg.mil) regarding the presumed loss of life of a 18-year old-passenger onboard the Bahamas Flagged Excursion Vessel Blackbeard’s Revenge while on a sunset cruise tour off the coast of Nassau, Bahamas on May 24, 2023.

Aug. 11, 2025

2024 Flag State Control Annual Report

The Coast Guard’s Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance is pleased to announce the publication of the 2024 Flag State Control Domestic Annual Report.

Aug. 5, 2025

Watch Monitoring Devices on Small Passenger Vessels, Interim Rule Clarification

On December 27, 2021, the Coast Guard published an interim final rule: Fire Safety of Small Passenger Vessels, Interim Rule, Federal Register 73160, December 27, 2021 (link).  This interim final rule applies to covered small passenger vessels (CPSVs) with overnight accommodations for passengers and includes requirements for the installation and arrangement of watch monitoring devices.