Revamping Underwater Survey Protocols: U.S. Coast Guard's Strategy for Enhanced Maritime Edge

According to a recent publication by the U.S. Coast Guard, there’s an exciting overhaul of its underwater survey guidelines for vessels flying the American flag. This marks the first substantial update as 1989, and it was unveiled on May 30, 2025. The new guidance aims to simplify regulatory processes while ensuring safety remains a top priority.

One of the standout features of this revision is that it now permits the use of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for underwater inspections. “This change simplifies our regulatory framework, cuts costs, and boosts the competitive edge of U.S.-flagged vessels without sacrificing safety,” noted officials from the Office of commercial Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC).

The updated rules introduce age-based criteria: ships younger than 15 years with appropriate class notation can perform underwater surveys without needing extra approval from the Coast Guard. for older vessels—those over 15 years—the review process has been made more efficient.

In another significant shift aimed at reducing red tape, duplicate tracking for drydock dates has been scrapped. Now, these dates will be managed exclusively by Authorized Classification Societies for classed vessels instead of being recorded on their Certificates of Inspection.This update reflects decades of changes in how underwater surveys are conducted. Since its inception in the ’80s when only select ship types were allowed to engage in these surveys, advancements in technology and broader vessel eligibility have driven this evolution.

For those interested in diving deeper into these updates, you can check out NVIC 01-89 Change 1 for all details!