COMDTINST 16000.71 — Marine Safety: Domestic Inspection Programs

COMDTINST 16000.71 governs domestic inspection programs, including inspections for vessel certification and related Coast Guard guidance.

Search COMDTINST 16000.71

  • Publication number: COMDTINST 16000.71
  • Title: MARINE SAFETY: DOMESTIC INSPECTION PROGRAMS
  • Date: 9/20/2021
  • Proponent: CG-CVC

View COMDTINST 16000.71 on armypubs.army.mil


It addresses Certificate of Inspection issuance and retention, government-owned vessels, and Jones Act requirements for coastwise U.S. trade. It also establishes provisions for the Alternate Compliance Program, including enrollment, oversight, and disenrollment.

Applies to: All Coast Guard unit commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge, deputy/assistant commandants, and chiefs of headquarters staff elements shall comply with the provisions of this Commandant Change Notice.

Topics covered

  • Certificate of Inspection issuance
  • Vessel certification
  • Government-owned vessels
  • Jones Act requirements
  • Alternate Compliance Program
  • ACP enrollment and disenrollment
  • Classification society audits
  • Self-propelled vessel requirements

Questions and answers

What must certain vessels possess under COMDTINST 16000.71?

46 U.S.C. Chapter 33 requires that certain vessels possess a COI. (paragraph 1)

What is required to issue a Certificate of Inspection?

The issuance of a COI depends on the vessel’s satisfactory completion of an inspection for certification. (paragraph 1)

What condition is required to retain a Certificate of Inspection?

A vessel’s retention of the COI depends on the continued maintenance of the vessel in a safe operating condition. (paragraph 1)

What happens when a vessel is disenrolled from the Alternate Compliance Program?

The vessel will then become subject to inspection and examination intervals as required by applicable provisions of Coast Guard regulations, publications, and directives. (paragraph 4)

How long must a vessel disenrolled by the Coast Guard for cause wait to re-enroll?

Vessels that are disenrolled from the ACP by the Coast Guard for cause may not request to enroll in the SIP or to re-enroll in the ACP for a period of five years. (paragraph 3)

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