Is NVIC 01-20 a mandatory guideline for compliance with 33 CFR 105?

NVIC 01-20 is not a mandatory guideline but rather a navigational and vessel inspection circular that provides guidance on the implementation of the requirements in 33 CFR 105. It offers recommendations and best practices to aid facilities and vessels in achieving compliance with the regulations that focus on the security of facilities and vessels within the maritime domain.

While it is essential for marine safety personnel to understand and utilize the guidelines provided in NVIC 01-20, adherence to these guidelines is not obligatory under the law. Instead, it serves as an informative resource that can help organizations enhance their security practices but does not create any enforceable legal obligations. Thus, in the context of compliance with 33 CFR 105, the clear distinction is that compliance is required under the regulation itself, while NVIC 01-20 helps enhance understanding and implementation of those requirements without being mandatory.