Circular No. 91/2025/TT-BCA on the examination of design, construction for new building and conversion, and registration and inspection of public security watercraft

CIRCULAR

Regulations on design review, construction for new building, modification and registration, inspection of People's Public Security watercraft
registration, inspection of inland waterway vessels for the People's Public Security

Pursuant to the Law on Inland Waterway Transport dated June 15, 2004; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Inland Waterway Transport dated June 17, 2014;

Pursuant to the Law on the Sea of Vietnam dated June 21, 2012;

Pursuant to Decree No. 02/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 18, 2025 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Public Security (amended and supplemented by Decree No. 11/2025/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2025);

At the proposal of the Director of the Traffic Police Corps;

The Minister of Public Security issues this Circular regulating the procedures for issuing certificates of design review for new construction, modification, importation; construction and supervision of new construction, modification of People's Public Security watercraft; procedures for registration and inspection of People's Public Security watercraft.

 

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular regulates the procedures for issuing certificates of design review for new construction, modification, and importation; construction and supervision of new construction, modification of People's Public Security watercraft; procedures for registration and inspection of People's Public Security watercraft.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to:

1. Registration and inspection authority of People's Public Security watercraft.

2. Public security units and localities.

3. Organizations and individuals related to the design, construction for new building, modification, and importation of People's Public Security watercraft.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. People's Public Security watercraft are boats, motorized rafts, water motorcycles, ships, and other floating structures with or without engines equipped for the People's Public Security forces to serve traffic safety, social order, and national security tasks (hereinafter referred to as watercraft).

2. Motorized raft of the People's Public Securityis a specialized watercraft of the People's Public Security forces, with a maximum length of 12 meters, maximum capacity of 12 people, main engine power up to 250 HP for inboard installation and up to 400 HP for outboard installation, maximum useful draft of 1.5 meters,³requiring only one person to operate and not using a rudder to change direction.

3. New construction design is the design of watercraft according to a contract for a model, series, or individual product to implement new construction or initial manufacturing of watercraft.

4. Modification design is the design for existing watercraft aimed at improving or changing certain parts such as hull, engine, electrical systems, performance, function, technical grade, or operational capability of the watercraft.

5. Construction design is the design used to detail technical drawings, consistent with technical drawings, and to serve production, manufacturing, and field inspections, consistent with the construction unit's technological processes. Manufacturing and construction processes are part of the construction design.

6. Design for documentation preparation is the design based on existing watercraft to test according to regulatory requirements, operational capability of the watercraft, and to conduct the first inspection of the watercraft.

7. Completion design is the collection of final drawings and documents after completing the construction of the watercraft, consistent with actual construction, including updates of all approved drawings and notifications of changes, fully and specifically reflecting the requirements and recommendations from the design review unit based on the new construction or modification design.

8. Modified design is the supplementary or modified design of a previously reviewed design but not yet implemented for new construction or currently in the new construction phase, including modifications to some parts or details compared to the previously reviewed design.

9. Initial inspection is the examination and evaluation of the technical safety status and environmental protection of the watercraft against the reviewed design, technical standards, and regulations to confirm the technical grade of the watercraft.

10. Maintenance grade inspection involves inspecting and evaluating the technical safety status and environmental protection of the watercraft and its technical grade (including regular, annual, and dockside inspections).

11. Annual inspection involves examining and evaluating the technical safety status and environmental protection of the watercraft previously confirmed, through which the inspector concludes whether the watercraft is permitted to operate, restricted operation, or suspended operation during the subsequent period.

12. Dockside inspection involves lifting the watercraft onto a dock or into a dry dock for inspectors to check the submerged parts of the watercraft, thereby confirming the technical status of the underwater parts to maintain the technical grade already granted to the watercraft.

13. Regular inspection involves inspecting and evaluating the technical safety status and environmental protection of the watercraft and re-evaluating the technical grade of the watercraft.

14. Unusual inspection is an inspection conducted upon request of the watercraft management or user unit or as directed by the Ministry of Public Security. Based on the purpose of the inspection, the age of the watercraft, and its technical condition, the inspection authority determines the scope of inspection and procedure for each specific case.

15. Technical construction file includes technical drawings, descriptions, and technological processes detailing the process of constructing the watercraft, types, quantities, and brands of equipment installed on the watercraft.

16. Design unit is an internal or external unit within the Public Security sector with the function and responsibility to design watercraft according to the law, implementing new construction, modification designs for watercraft, and preparing documentation for imported watercraft for the People's Public Security forces.

17. Construction unit is an internal or external unit within the Public Security sector with the function and responsibility to construct new watercraft and modifications according to the law, implementing new construction and modification work for watercraft for the People's Public Security forces.

18. Construction supervision is the activity of inspecting and supervising during the new construction and modification of watercraft to ensure that the watercraft is constructed according to the approved design reviewed by the competent authority, meeting technical standards, regulations, and other provisions of the Ministry of Public Security.

Article 4. Principles for registering and inspecting watercraft

2. Ensuring the purpose, requirements, safety, effectiveness, and contributing to national security protection and maintaining public order and social safety.

2. Ensure timeliness, accuracy, appropriateness to objects and purposes, safety, effectiveness, and meet the requirements of tasks of public security units and localities.

3. Only agencies and persons authorized under this Circular may conduct activities related to registering and inspecting watercraft.

Article 5. Personnel responsible for registering and inspecting watercraft

1. Personnel responsible for registering watercraft of the People's Public Security must satisfy the following conditions:

a) Having at least one year of work experience in traffic police forces;

b) Completing the training program on watercraft registration organized by the Traffic Police Corps or provincial/municipal public security agencies.

2. Personnel responsible for inspecting watercraft of the People's Public Security must satisfy the following conditions:

a) Having at least one year of work experience in traffic police forces;

b) Completing the training program on watercraft inspection organized by the Traffic Police Corps or provincial/municipal public security agencies.

Article 6. Forms and records for registration and inspection activities

The following forms and records are attached to this Circular to serve registration and inspection activities:

1. Appendix on content and methods of inspection (Appendix I).

2. Appendix on symbols of units and localities managing and using watercraft (Appendix II).

3. Watercraft registration application form (Form DK1).

4. Watercraft registration certificate (Form DK2).

5. Certificate of technical safety and environmental protection for watercraft (Form DK3).

6. Technical inspection logbook for watercraft (Form DK4).

7. Record of loss or missing watercraft files (Form DK5).

8. Logbook of watercraft operations (Form DK6).

9. Technical inspection record for watercraft (Form DK7).

10. Design approval certificate for watercraft (Form DK8).

11. Supervision construction inspection record (Form DK9).

12. Registration record for watercraft (Form DK10).

Article 7. Management and use of registration and inspection forms

1. Management and use of forms

a) The Traffic Police Corps shall uniformly manage and print forms DK2, DK3, DK4, and DK8 at production facilities within the People's Public Security upon request from unit and local public security agencies. The Traffic Police Department of provincial/municipal public security agencies (hereinafter referred to as the Traffic Police Department) shall issue a letter to the Traffic Police Corps, also sending it to the form production facility within the People's Public Security to print the forms and settle accounts according to regulations;

b) Unit and local public security agencies shall print, manage, and distribute forms DK1, DK5, DK6, DK7, DK9, and DK10 for use;

c) When printing the forms specified in this clause, their content, size, color, and material must not be altered; unit and local public security agencies are responsible for managing the printing, distribution, and use of the forms and maintaining a tracking record;

d) The cost of printing and distributing forms used in watercraft registration and inspection activities shall be funded from the regular budget of the Ministry of Public Security allocated to unit and local public security agencies. Unit and local public security agencies are responsible for preparing and settling the budget for form printing according to regulations.

2. Destruction of forms

a) Annually in December, the agency managing and using the forms shall compile statistics on forms printed at production facilities that are damaged, recalled, or do not comply with current regulations. Based on actual circumstances, the Department of Guidance, Registration, and Inspection of Watercraft shall report to the leadership of the Traffic Police Corps, and the Traffic Police Department shall report to the leadership of provincial/municipal public security agencies to decide on destruction and establish a destruction committee in accordance with points b and c of this clause;

b) Members of the destruction committee at the Traffic Police Corps include: the leadership of the Traffic Police Corps as Chairman; the Heads of the Planning and Coordination Department and the Department of Guidance, Registration, and Inspection of Watercraft as members; and a staff member of the Department of Guidance, Registration, and Inspection of Watercraft as secretary;

c) Members of the destruction committee at provincial/municipal public security agencies include: the leadership of provincial/municipal public security agencies as Chairman; the Chief Inspector of provincial/municipal public security agencies and the Head of the Traffic Police Department as members; and a staff member of the Traffic Police Department as secretary;

d) The destruction of forms must be documented in a record containing signatures of all committee members. The main contents of the record include: basis and reasons for destruction; time and location; participants; statistics on the quantity, name, and method of destruction of the forms.

Chapter II

 APPROVAL OF DESIGN FILES FOR NEWLY BUILT, MODIFIED, IMPORTED WATERCRAFT; CONSTRUCTION AND SUPERVISION OF NEWLY BUILT, MODIFIED WATERCRAFT
REPAIR, IMPORT; CONSTRUCTION, SUPERVISION OF NEW CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR OF INLAND WATERWAY VESSELS
REPAIR OF INLAND WATERWAY VESSELS

Article 8. Documents for Requesting Design Approval of Watercraft

1. Documents for requesting issuance of the Design Approval Certificate for new-built or converted watercraft include:

a) A letter from the design unit requesting design approval;

b) A photocopied contract on the design and construction or conversion of watercraft between the design unit and local public security agencies;

c) Design documents (three original sets), including specifications, drawings, descriptions, and technical documents (if applicable) in accordance with applicable technical standards and regulations for watercraft.

2. Documents for requesting issuance of the Design Approval Certificate for imported watercraft include:

a) A letter from the design unit requesting design approval, accompanied by a commitment that the design documentation accurately reflects the actual condition of the watercraft and that the watercraft has been equipped with appropriate facilities according to Vietnam's technical standards and regulations;

b) A photocopied contract on the preparation of design documentation for watercraft between the design unit and local public security agencies;

c) Design documents (three original sets), including specifications, drawings, descriptions, and technical documents (if applicable) in accordance with applicable technical standards and regulations for watercraft;

d) Documentation determining the age of the watercraft (if available);

đ) Import declaration form of the organization or individual importing the watercraft;

e) Survey and inspection reports of the watercraft for design documentation preparation;

g) Technical documents issued by foreign organizations for the watercraft (if applicable).

Article 9. Content of Design Approval for Watercraft

1. Legal verification of the design unit.

2. Examination of the design approval request documents and evaluation of the compliance of the design documents with applicable technical standards and regulations for watercraft and relevant laws.

Article 10. Procedure for Design Approval and Issuance of the Design Approval Certificate for New-Built or Converted Watercraft

1. The design unit prepares the design approval request documents in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 8 of this Circular and submits them directly or through postal services to the designated design approval authority as stipulated in Article 16 of this Circular. The Secretary of the Design Approval Board (hereinafter referred to as the Design Approval Board) receives and checks the design approval request documents. If the documents are complete as required, they will be accepted; if incomplete, the design unit will be instructed to supplement the documents as required.

2. After receiving complete and valid design approval request documents, members of the Design Approval Board study and provide written comments or the Chairman of the Design Approval Board organizes a meeting for design approval.

3. The Secretary of the Design Approval Board compiles the comments provided by the Design Approval Board members.

4. If the documents meet the requirements, the Secretary of the Design Approval Board presents them to the Chairman of the Design Approval Board for approval and issuance of the Design Approval Certificate. If the documents do not meet the requirements, the Secretary of the Design Approval Board informs the design unit to make corrections. Once the design unit has corrected the documents according to the Design Approval Board's comments and meets the requirements, the Secretary of the Design Approval Board presents them to the Chairman of the Design Approval Board for approval and issuance of the Design Approval Certificate.

5. The Secretary of the Design Approval Board is responsible for stamping "Checked and Verified" on the cover page of the guidance document, stamping "Approved" and recording the approval number on the cover page of the design documents.

6. The Design Approval Certificate is prepared in three copies: one copy given to the design unit, one copy given to the project sponsor, and one copy retained by the Traffic Police Department for record keeping.

Article 11. Procedure for Issuing the Design Approval Certificate for Imported Watercraft

1. The design unit shall prepare and submit the application dossier for design approval in accordance with Clause 2, Article 8 of this Circular directly or through postal services to the design approval authority specified in Article 16 of this Circular. The Secretary of the Design Approval Board shall receive and examine the application dossier for design approval. If the dossier is complete as required, it will be accepted; if incomplete, the design unit will be instructed to supplement it in accordance with the regulations.

2. The Design Approval Board shall assign the members specified at point b and point e, Clause 1, Article 16 of this Circular to organize the examination of the design dossier against applicable technical standards and norms. In case the design dossier does not meet the requirements, the Secretary of the Design Approval Board shall notify and return the application dossier for design approval to the design unit for supplementation and correction in accordance with the technical standards and norms. If the design dossier meets the requirements, the Traffic Police Department shall organize the inspection of imported watercraft to assess the conformity of the dossier with the actual watercraft.

a) For imported watercraft or design dossiers that do not meet the requirements, the importing unit or the design unit must rectify before re-inspection.

b) For imported watercraft that meet the requirements, based on the dossier and inspection results, the Secretary of the Design Approval Board shall present to the Chairman of the Design Approval Board for signature and issuance of the Design Approval Certificate.

3. The Secretary of the Design Approval Board shall be responsible for stamping "Checked and Verified" on the cover page of the guidance document, stamping "Approved" and recording the approval number on the cover page of the design dossier.

4. The Traffic Police Department shall issue the control number in accordance with Clause 6, Article 15 of this Circular.

5. The Design Approval Certificate for watercraft shall be issued in three copies; one copy shall be handed over to the design unit, one copy to the project investor, and one copy retained by the Traffic Police Department for record keeping.

Article 12. Time Limit for Design Approval and Issuance of the Design Approval Certificate for Watercraft

The maximum time limit for design approval is thirty days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier. In cases where the design dossier for watercraft constructed with new materials, new technology, or complex designs, the maximum time limit shall not exceed sixty days.

Article 13. Replacement and Reissue of the Design Approval Certificate for Watercraft

1. The Design Approval Certificate for watercraft that is damaged or contains incorrect information shall be replaced according to regulations. The design unit or project investor shall submit the replacement application dossier directly or through postal services to the Traffic Police Department. The replacement dossier includes:

a) A letter requesting replacement of the Design Approval Certificate for watercraft. In cases of direct submission, the request should include the name, identification number, or passport number of the contact person.

b) The damaged or incorrectly informed Design Approval Certificate for watercraft.

2. In cases where the Design Approval Certificate for watercraft is lost, it shall be reissued according to regulations. The unit that lost the certificate shall submit a request for reissuance of the Design Approval Certificate (specifying the reason for loss and committing to the loss of the Design Approval Certificate for watercraft) directly or through postal services to the Traffic Police Department. In cases of direct submission, the request should include the name, identification number, or passport number of the contact person.

3. The time limit for replacing or reissuing the Design Approval Certificate for watercraft is five working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier.

Article 14. Supervision of construction for new building and conversion of watercraft

1. The supervision of construction for new building and conversion of watercraft by the People's Public Security shall be carried out by the Traffic Police Corps or units within the People's Public Security with the function of supervising construction (hereinafter referred to as construction supervision units).

2. In cases where the construction supervision units within the People's Public Security force cannot meet the requirements for construction supervision capacity, they are permitted to hire construction supervision units outside the Public Security sector that have legal personality and sufficient construction supervision capacity. The cost of implementation shall be borne by the project investor.

3. Construction supervision units must prepare records on the content and results of the construction supervision process (in accordance with Form DK9); bear responsibility under the law and the Ministry of Public Security for the quality of construction supervision, the truthfulness and accuracy of the documents provided to the registration authority.

Article 15. Construction for new building and conversion of watercraft

1. The construction for new building and conversion of watercraft (hereinafter referred to as construction) must be carried out at construction units with the required functions and sufficient capacity as stipulated by law.

2. Construction units must develop technical plans and anticipated construction schedules, report to the Traffic Police Corps for coordination and inspection during the construction process.

3. Watercraft must be constructed strictly according to the approved technical design files and ensure requirements for technical safety quality and environmental protection.

4. Materials and equipment installed on watercraft must comply with technical standards and specifications, be certified for quality by competent authorities both domestically and internationally, or have test results from the production unit meeting the requirements and be approved by the construction supervision unit and the project investor.

5. Construction units and construction supervision units must inspect, prepare inspection and acceptance records according to Form DK09 issued together with this Circular, national technical standards and other relevant laws and regulations. They shall bear responsibility under the law and the Ministry of Public Security for the content, quality of construction, origin, authenticity and accuracy of the documents provided to the registration authority.

6. Control number of watercraft

a) Based on the Certificate of Design Approval for watercraft, the quantity of newly built and imported watercraft, the Traffic Police Corps shall issue a control number for watercraft (hereinafter referred to as control number);

b) The control number consists of 8 characters structured as follows: CAabcdef. Wherein: CA is the abbreviated name of the public security registration authority; ab are the last two digits of the year of design approval or import year; cdef are serial numbers from 0001 to 9999;

c) The control number must be welded directly to the outer surface of the bow or embedded on an aluminum alloy plate measuring 50mm x 100mm and fixed to the watercraft at a position easily visible on the cabin or the outer surface of the bow.

7. Watercraft constructed in accordance with this Circular shall bear the side mark of the public security registration CA. The letters C and A are inscribed on each side of a circle. The size of the letters is 100mm x 60mm and the thickness of the lettering is 15mm.

8. Inspection during the construction of watercraft Based on the reports of the construction supervision units on inspection results and construction progress, the Traffic Police Corps shall organize trial inspections and acceptance at the dock and long-distance trials. For inspections of other items, the Traffic Police Corps will notify before implementation.

Article 16. Design Review Board for Watercraft

1. The Director of the Traffic Police Department decides to establish the Design Review Board for Watercraft of the People's Public Security. The members include:

a) The leader of the Traffic Police Department shall be the Chairman of the Board;

b) The leader and staff of the Guidance, Registration and Inspection Division of the Traffic Police Department shall be Members;

c) The leader and staff of the Vehicle Management and Fuel Division of the Equipment and Logistics Bureau shall be Members;

d) The leader and staff of the Institute of Optics, Mechanical Engineering and Specialized Materials of the Security Industry Bureau shall be Members;

đ) The leader and staff of the Nam Trieu Limited Liability Company of the Security Industry Bureau shall be Members;

e) The staff of the Guidance, Registration and Inspection Division of the Traffic Police Department shall be Members, Secretary.

2. General duties and powers of the Design Review Board

a) To inspect and guide the design unit to complete the design procedures and documents in accordance with regulations;

b) To organize the review of the design documents for watercraft of the People's Public Security;

c) To issue the Certificate of Design Review for Watercraft;

d) The Design Review Board operates on a collective basis, with all members participating in the review process through written opinions. In cases where the opinions of the Design Review Board members are not unanimous regarding the approval of the design, the Chairman of the Board shall decide according to the majority. For designs of watercraft made from new materials, new technology, complex or serving specialized professional work, the Chairman of the Design Review Board may invite representatives of the watercraft using units or representatives of external inspection units outside the Public Security sector to participate in the design review;

đ) The Design Review Board operates on a part-time basis. In case there is a change in the membership of the Board, the managing unit must submit a written request to the Traffic Police Department to supplement and improve the Design Review Board in accordance with regulations;

e) Staff participating in the Design Review Board must have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field suitable for the content of the review;

g) The Design Review Board uses the administrative seal of the Traffic Police Department.

3. Duties and powers of members in the Design Review Board

a) The Chairman of the Design Review Board directs the organization of the design review, assigns tasks to members of the Design Review Board, signs off on the design documents and the Certificate of Design Review for Watercraft for designs that meet requirements;

b) Members carry out their tasks as assigned by the Chairman of the Design Review Board; they are responsible for inspecting, evaluating, and providing opinions on the design documents of the design unit; guiding the design unit to correct contents in the design documents before submitting them to the Chairman of the Design Review Board for approval;

c) Members, Secretaries carry out their tasks as assigned by the Chairman of the Design Review Board; they inspect and guide the design unit to complete the design procedures and documents; they are responsible for inspecting, evaluating, and providing opinions on the design documents of the design unit; guiding the design unit to correct contents in the design documents that do not meet requirements; collecting opinions from other members of the Board, completing the documents, printing the Certificate of Design Review for Watercraft for submission to the Chairman of the Board for signature; transferring the documents to related units; storing the documents in accordance with regulations.

Article 17. Resolution of specific cases

1. Watercraft newly built in Vietnam and subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Public Security

a) In the case where the design dossier has already been issued with a Design Approval Certificate by an inspection agency outside the Ministry of Public Security, the Review Board shall not conduct another design review;

b) In the case where the design dossier has not been issued with a Design Approval Certificate by an inspection agency outside the Ministry of Public Security, the design review dossier shall be applied according to the provisions of points a, b, c, d, and e Clause 2 Article 8 of this Circular; the procedure for issuing the Design Approval Certificate for watercraft shall be carried out according to the provisions of Article 11 of this Circular.

2. In the event that during the construction process of new or converted watercraft, it is necessary to modify the design to suit actual construction conditions and the needs of the investor while still ensuring the technical parameters of the watercraft approved by the Review Board and meeting technical standards and regulations, the following procedures shall be implemented:

a) The construction unit shall have a written exchange and obtain approval from the design unit, construction supervision unit, and investor;

b) The design unit shall be responsible for submitting the modified design dossier (with approval comments from the construction supervision unit and the investor);

c) The Secretary of the Review Board shall receive and examine the modified design dossier and implement according to the provisions of Clauses 1, 4, 5, and 6 Article 10 of this Circular.

3. Watercraft serving security and defense purposes, which were built and used abroad, then transferred to the Ministry of Public Security

a) In the case where the watercraft has a design dossier and foreign language guidance documents that have been reviewed by a foreign inspection agency, there is no need to conduct another design review. The management and usage units of the watercraft shall be responsible for surveying, repairing, and maintaining according to the items checked on the slipway as stipulated in Appendix I attached to this Circular; supplementing equipment suitable for national technical standard requirements, translating the design dossier. The Traffic Police Corps shall inspect according to the provisions of Clause 2 Article 11 and issue control numbers according to the provisions of Clause 4 Article 11 of this Circular;

b) In the case where the watercraft does not have a design dossier reviewed by a foreign inspection agency, the design review dossier shall be implemented according to the provisions of Clause 2 Article 8 of this Circular;

c) In the case where the design must ensure confidentiality and operational requirements of the People's Public Security force, the preparation of the design dossier must be conducted by a unit with design functions within the People's Public Security force. The design review dossier shall be implemented according to the provisions of Clause 2 Article 8 of this Circular. If the design unit within the People's Public Security force cannot meet the capacity requirements, the inspection shall be conducted according to the provisions of Clause 7 Article 22 of this Circular.

4. For imported water scooters or similar structures, the procedure for issuing a Design Approval Certificate for watercraft shall not be implemented. The Traffic Police Corps shall inspect according to the provisions of Clause 2 Article 11 and issue control numbers according to the provisions of Clause 4 Article 11 of this Circular.

5. In the case of designing watercraft made of new materials, new technology, and complex nature that the Review Board cannot handle, affecting the progress of new construction or conversion, the investor may hire an inspection agency outside the Ministry of Public Security to conduct the design review. The costs shall be borne by the investor.

6. In the case where the design unit wishes to continue using the design dossier that has been approved by the Review Board, the design review dossier shall be implemented according to the provisions of Clause 1 Article 8 of this Circular; the design review procedure shall be carried out according to the provisions of Clauses 1, 4, 5, and 6 Article 10 of this Circular.

Chapter III

INSPECTION OF PEOPLE'S PUBLIC SECURITY WATERCRAFT

Article 18. Watercraft Inspection Authority

The watercraft inspection authority within the People's Public Security includes:

1. Traffic Police Corps

a) Conducting initial inspections on watercraft that have been reviewed for design, construction, new building, conversion, and importation according to this Circular;

b) Conducting initial inspections on watercraft of units under the Ministry of Public Security (in cases where the watercraft has already been inspected by an external public security inspection agency before being transferred to the Ministry of Public Security).

2. Vehicle Testing Center and Watercraft Inspection Center under the Registration and Inspection Guidance Department of the Traffic Police Corps (hereinafter referred to as the Testing Center) shall conduct maintenance inspections on watercraft of units under the Ministry of Public Security, provincial public security agencies. The Testing Center shall have its own seal for use as prescribed.

3. Provincial Traffic Police Departments

a) Conducting initial inspections on watercraft of provincial public security agencies (in cases where the watercraft has already been inspected by an external public security inspection agency before being transferred to the Ministry of Public Security);

b) Conducting maintenance inspections on watercraft of provincial public security agencies and watercraft of units under the Ministry of Public Security with headquarters located in their jurisdiction.

Article 19. Authority to Sign Inspection Documents for Watercraft

1. The Director of the Traffic Police Corps shall sign the Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Watercraft, the Logbook of Technical Inspection for Watercraft, and other related documents concerning watercraft inspection as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 18 of this Circular.

2. The Director of the Testing Center shall sign the Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Watercraft, the Logbook of Technical Inspection for Watercraft, and other related documents concerning watercraft inspection as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 18 of this Circular.

3. The Head of the Provincial Traffic Police Department shall sign the Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Watercraft, the Logbook of Technical Inspection for Watercraft, and other related documents concerning watercraft inspection as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 18 of this Circular.

Article 20. Inspection Files for Watercraft

1. Initial inspection files include:

a) A letter requesting inspection from the construction unit (for newly built watercraft); a letter requesting inspection from the design documentation preparation unit (for imported watercraft); a letter requesting inspection from the management or using unit or an approved inspection plan;

b) Watercraft registration certificate (if available);

c) Approved design documentation;

d) Technical inspection and acceptance records upon factory release (for newly built or converted watercraft);

đ) Technical documents issued by foreign organizations for the watercraft (if available);

2. Maintenance inspection files include:

a) Documents specified in point a and point b of Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Logbook of Technical Inspection for Watercraft;

c) Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Watercraft;

d) Technical inspection record of the most recent inspection;

đ) Technical inspection and acceptance records upon factory release (for watercraft that have undergone repair, replacement, or conversion);

e) Design documentation of the watercraft (when requested by the inspector);

g) Logbook of Watercraft Operations (when requested by the inspector);

h) Inspection and maintenance records, calibration records of life-saving equipment, firefighting equipment, and radio communication equipment provided by service-providing units (for watercraft operating at sea);

i) In cases where technical documents specified in points đ and e of this clause are lost or missing, the management or using unit must present a record of the loss or missing of the watercraft documentation, clearly stating the reasons and the lost or missing documents, confirmed by the head of the management or using unit.

Article 21. Procedures for conducting vessel inspection

1. Inspection officers shall accept the request for inspection and review the inspection file. If the vessel's inspection file is not valid, they shall guide the management and user units to supplement the file according to regulations. In case the vessel's inspection file is complete as prescribed, the following procedures shall be carried out:

a) Submit the plan or schedule for technical inspection of vessels to the competent authority for approval;

b) Notify the management and user units of the plan or schedule for inspection to arrange the vessel and technical staff to cooperate in implementation;

c) Prepare inspection files, documents, and equipment; coordinate with the management and user units to conduct inspections and assess the technical safety status and environmental protection of the vessel;

d) Conduct actual inspections of items as stipulated in Appendix I and technical standards and norms that the vessel must comply with;

đ) Draft the technical inspection report of the vessel;

e) Complete the registration procedures and submit them to the competent authority for approval and signature on the vessel registration documents as prescribed;

g) Hand over the documents as provided for in Clause 2, Article 26 of this Circular to the management and user units;

h) Hand over the documents to the staff responsible for storing them as provided for in Clause 1, Article 26 of this Circular.

2. Vessels that meet the technical safety and environmental protection conditions after inspection shall be issued by the inspection agency:

a) Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Vessels;

b) Technical Inspection Logbook of Vessels (except for watercraft or similar structures to watercraft) for the first inspection.

3. For vessels that do not meet the technical safety and environmental protection conditions after inspection, the inspection officer shall draft and sign the technical inspection report and recommend the head of the management and user units to repair, maintain, and rectify non-compliant items before the inspection agency conducts another inspection.

Article 22. Resolution of Certain Specific Cases

1. In cases where the main engine of a vessel is replaced with an external engine of the same power, the maintenance registration file shall include:

a) Documents as specified in Clause 2, Article 20 of this Circular;

b) Decision or approval of the competent authority regarding the replacement of the main engine.

2. In cases where a vessel has been inspected, maintained, and repaired but does not coincide with the scheduled inspection time; when the inspection period arrives, the management and user units shall provide self-inspection, survey, maintenance, and acceptance reports of repairs conducted according to Appendix I, thereby being exempted from dockside inspection. The inspection agency shall apply annual inspection items as the basis for issuing the Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Vessels.

3. New or converted vessels that have undergone technical inspection and supervision by an inspection agency outside the Ministry of Public Security and subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Public Security, which already have control numbers issued by an inspection agency outside the Public Security sector, may continue using those control numbers; if there are no such control numbers, the receiving inspection agency shall report to the Traffic Police Department to obtain new control numbers. The initial technical inspection file of the vessel shall include documents issued by an inspection agency outside the Ministry of Public Security:

a) Approved design documents of the vessel;

b) Inspection and acceptance reports upon factory release;

c) Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Vessels (if available);

d) Technical Inspection Logbook of Vessels (if available).

4. In cases where the Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Vessels issued by an inspection agency outside the Ministry of Public Security is still valid and meets the requirements of the Ministry of Public Security, it can continue to be used until its expiration date as stated on the Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Vessels.

5. In cases where a vessel has been constructed and then transferred to the Ministry of Public Security, during the period of completing the file as prescribed in this Circular, the inspection agencies specified in Clauses 1 and 3, Article 18 of this Circular shall issue a temporary Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Vessels based on the request of the management and user units without requiring an inspection. The validity period of the temporary Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Vessels is six months; the maximum operating area is SI and restricted operation during bad weather; the file includes:

a) A letter requesting temporary registration (the content of the letter must include all technical specifications of the vessel for printing the Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Vessels);

b) A copy of the issuance decision (with the original for verification).

6. Vessels serving security and defense purposes that were built and used abroad, then transferred to the Ministry of Public Security with design documents and foreign-language guidance materials reviewed by foreign inspection agencies; the file includes:

a) A copy of the issuance decision (with the original for verification);

b) Documentation determining the age of the vessel (if conditions permit);

c) Design documents and translated guidance materials (with the original foreign-language design documents or guidance materials for verification);

d) Survey reports on basic technical items of the vessel such as hull thickness, dimensions, and main engine power.

7. Vessels serving security and defense purposes that were built and used abroad, then transferred to the Ministry of Public Security, where design documents (including design for documentation) require confidentiality and operational requirements of the People's Public Security forces, the file includes:

a) A copy of the issuance decision (with the original for verification);

b) Documentation determining the age of the vessel (if conditions permit);

c) Design documents and guidance materials prepared by units with design functions, responsible for preparing design files within the People's Public Security, and reviewed according to the provisions of Clause 2, Article 8 of this Circular. In cases where functional units within the People's Public Security cannot meet the requirements for capacity, the inspection agency as stipulated in Article 18 of this Circular shall cooperate with the unit managing and using watercraft to conduct surveys, prepare minutes, and unify information in the Watercraft Technical Inspection Book to serve the inspection and registration of watercraft. Based on the documents specified in points a and b of this clause, other relevant documents related to watercraft provided by the transferring unit, and the survey results of the inspection agency, if technical parameters cannot be confirmed in the Watercraft Technical Inspection Book, such information shall be left blank.

8. Motorboats and similar structures imported for the use of forces under the Ministry of Public Security shall be supplied by authorized agencies of the Ministry of Public Security, the file includes:

a) A photocopy of the Supply Decision specifying the specific purpose and intended use of the watercraft (accompanied by the original for verification);

b) Technical documents issued by foreign organizations for the watercraft or other technical documents sufficient to determine the basic technical parameters of the watercraft.

9. In cases where a watercraft has been constructed and subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Public Security, when conducting the first inspection and the main engine number cannot be found, the inspection agency shall base on the request document from the managing and using unit to reapply the main engine number according to the control number.

Article 23. Issuance and Reissuance of the Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Watercraft, and the Watercraft Technical Inspection Book

1. The Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Watercraft and the Watercraft Technical Inspection Book will be replaced if they are damaged or contain incorrect information, the file includes:

a) A letter requesting the replacement of the Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Watercraft and the Watercraft Technical Inspection Book from the managing and using unit of the watercraft;

b) The Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Watercraft and the Watercraft Technical Inspection Book that have already been issued.

2. The Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Watercraft and the Watercraft Technical Inspection Book will be reissued if they are lost, the file includes:

a) A letter requesting the reissue of the Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Watercraft and the Watercraft Technical Inspection Book (specifying the reason for loss) from the managing and using unit of the watercraft;

b) A photocopy of the technical inspection report of the watercraft from the most recent inspection.

Article 24. Time Limit for Issuing the Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Watercraft

1. The time limit for issuing the Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Watercraft and the Watercraft Technical Inspection Book shall not exceed three working days from the date of receiving complete and valid files.

2. The time limit for replacing and reissuing the Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Watercraft and the Watercraft Technical Inspection Book shall not exceed three working days from the date of receiving complete and valid files.

Article 25. Inspection Period and Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for Watercraft

1. The inspection period shall be as follows:

a) Dockside inspection: once every 01 year for wooden-hulled watercraft; once every 2.5 years for all other watercraft. Within a 05-year period, non-wooden-hulled watercraft must undergo dockside inspection twice, with one of these inspections coinciding with the regular inspection cycle, and the maximum interval between two dockside inspections not exceeding 03 years;

b) Regular inspection: the interval between two regular inspections is 05 years.

2. The validity period of the Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for newly constructed watercraft that have been reviewed according to the design regulations stipulated in this Circular (except for watercraft specified in Clause 3 of this Article):

a) First inspection: validity period is 36 months;

b) Second inspection: validity period is 24 months;

c) Subsequent inspections: validity period is 12 months.

3. The validity period of the Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for newly constructed watercraft that have been subsequently transferred to the People's Public Security Forces, imported watercraft, or wooden-hulled watercraft is 12 months.

Article 26. Management of Inspection Records

1. The inspection authority retains the following documents for management and monitoring:

a) Technical inspection report of watercraft;

b) Official letter requesting reissue or replacement of the Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for watercraft, and the technical inspection logbook of watercraft;

c) Photocopy of the record regarding the loss or damage of watercraft records;

d) Replaced Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for damaged watercraft.

2. Units managing and using watercraft are responsible for managing:

a) Technical records of watercraft;

b) Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for watercraft;

c) Technical inspection logbook of watercraft;

d) Technical inspection report of watercraft.

3. Inspection records of watercraft are managed and used in accordance with regulations on the management and use of records and documents within the People's Public Security Forces.

Chapter IV
REGISTRATION OF WATERCRAFT FOR THE PEOPLE'S PUBLIC SECURITY FORCES

Article 27. Registration Authority for Watercraft

1. The Traffic Police Corps shall handle registration and issuance of the Registration Certificate for Watercraft of the People's Public Security Forces (hereinafter referred to as the Registration Certificate for Watercraft) for units under the Ministry of Public Security.

2. The Provincial Traffic Police Department shall handle registration and issuance of the Registration Certificate for Watercraft for units under the provincial public security organs.

Article 28. Registration Documents for Watercraft

1. Application for registration of watercraft (presenting Citizen Identity Card, Citizen Identity Card, or People's Public Security Officer Identity Card when applying for registration of watercraft).

2. Documents of watercraft, including:

a) Documentation proving the origin of the watercraft, which may include one of the following documents: decision on transfer, allocation, purchase-sale contract, gift contract, liquidation record, or auction sale record of the watercraft;

b) Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection for watercraft that require inspection;

c) In case the documentation specified in Point a of this Clause is lost or missing, there must be a record of the loss or damage of watercraft records, clearly stating the reason and the lost or missing documentation, confirmed by the head of the subordinate unit of the Ministry, the Director of the provincial public security organ assigned to manage and use the watercraft.

3. Two color photographs measuring 10cm x 15cm showing the full port side view of the watercraft from the helm towards the bow in its floating state (hereinafter referred to as the watercraft photograph).

Article 29. Issuance of replacement or reissue of the Vessel Registration Certificate

1. In cases where there is a change in the management or usage unit, vessel conversion, or information changes on the Vessel Registration Certificate, or if the information on the Vessel Registration Certificate is incorrectly printed, or if the Vessel Registration Certificate is damaged and cannot be used, then a replacement shall be issued; the application dossier includes:

a) Documents and materials as prescribed in Clauses 1 and 3 of Article 28 of this Circular (except for the case prescribed in Point d of this Clause);

b) The previously issued Vessel Registration Certificate;

c) A copy of the decision on the redeployment of vessels by the competent authority (in cases of change in the management or usage units);

d) The certificate of technical safety and environmental protection of vessels (in cases of vessel conversion or information changes).

đ) A letter requesting issuance of a replacement Vessel Registration Certificate (in cases of incorrect printing of information).

2. If the Vessel Registration Certificate is lost, it shall be reissued; the application dossier includes:

a) A letter requesting reissuance of the Vessel Registration Certificate;

b) Documents as prescribed in Clauses 1 and 3 of Article 28 of this Circular.

Article 30. Procedure for registering vessels

The management and usage units of vessels prepare the registration application dossier in accordance with Articles 28 and 29 of this Circular and submit it directly or through postal services to the issuing authority. The staff responsible for vessel registration receives and checks the registration dossier. If the registration dossier is not yet compliant, they guide the management and usage units to supplement the dossier according to regulations. If the registration dossier is complete as required, the following procedures shall be carried out:

1. Verify and compare the technical parameters of the vessel in the registration dossier.

2. Issue the registration number and proceed to complete the registration formalities, submit for approval and signature of the relevant registration documents by the competent authority as prescribed.

3. Affix one photograph of the vessel on the back of the Vessel Registration Certificate; hand over the documents as prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 34 of this Circular to the management and usage units of the vessel and record in the vessel registration tracking book.

4. Hand over the documents specified in Clause 1 of Article 34 of this Circular to the staff responsible for storage, cut off the upper right corner of the front side of the Vessel Registration Certificate that is no longer in use.

5. In cases where the vessel changes its registration unit, after issuing the Vessel Registration Certificate, the registration authority under the People's Public Security must notify in writing the previous registration authority of the issuance of the Vessel Registration Certificate.

Article 31. Name, Mark, and Registration Number of Vessels

1. Name and Mark of Vessels

a) The name of the vessel must comply with legal regulations. Management and usage units wishing to name a vessel must submit a proposal for naming the vessel and obtain approval from the Traffic Police Corps; the name of the vessel must not duplicate the names of other vessels and must be placed at the front of the vessel's cabin.

b) The mark must be painted or affixed directly to the vessel at two positions: the right and left sides of the cabin or the side of the vessel. The mark of the vessel consists of two rows, the top row indicating the name of the direct superior unit of the management and usage unit; the bottom row indicating the name of the management and usage unit. In cases where two rows cannot be displayed, only one row with the name of the management and usage unit should be shown.

c) The size, color, font, and background of the name and mark of the vessel must correspond to the size, color, font, and background of the registration number.

2. Registration Number of Vessels

a) The size of characters and numbers and the background of the registration number are defined as follows:
Minimum height of characters and numbers: 150 mm;
Minimum width of characters and numbers: 70 mm;
Minimum width of character strokes and numbers: 25 mm;
Minimum distance between characters and numbers: 20 mm;
Distance from the edges of the background of the registration number to the nearest characters or numbers is twice the stroke width.

b) Structure of the registration number

 Group of letters ab: code of the local management and usage unit of the vessel as stipulated in Appendix II attached to this Circular;
Group of letters cdef: registration number code, consisting of four natural numbers from 0001 to 9999.

c) The registration number must be painted or affixed directly to the vessel, with the background color blue and characters and numbers white. The registration number should be arranged at the following positions: right side, left side, front of the cabin, both sides of the vessel's bow. For vessels with special dimensions, the registration number may be arranged at suitable positions but must have at least two positions at both sides of the vessel's bow or left and right sides of the cabin.

3. The management and usage units of vessels are responsible for painting or affixing the name, mark, and registration number in accordance with this Circular.

Article 32. Time limit for registering watercraft

The time limit for issuing, reissuing, and replacing the Watercraft Registration Certificate shall not exceed three working days from the date of receiving complete and valid application files.

Article 33. Revocation of the Watercraft Registration Certificate and removal from the registration record book

1. Cases requiring the revocation of the watercraft registration certificate and removal from the registration record book

a) Watercraft that is damaged and cannot be used or has been destroyed;

b) Watercraft that has been liquidated;

c) Watercraft that has been lost or transferred to individuals or organizations outside the Public Security sector;

d) Watercraft that changes its registration unit.

2. Within thirty days from the date of the change specified in points a, b, and c of Clause 1 of this Article, the management and usage units of the watercraft must submit a letter requesting the revocation and return of the Watercraft Registration Certificate and other issued documents to the registration authority as stipulated in Article 27 of this Circular to process the removal from the registration record book.

Article 34. Management of registration files

1. The registration files of watercraft retained at the registration authority include:

a) Application form for watercraft registration;

b) Photocopies of watercraft documents;

c) One photograph of the watercraft;

d) Letter requesting issuance, replacement, or reissue of the Watercraft Registration Certificate;

đ) Photocopies of the minutes on the loss or disappearance of watercraft documents;

e) The Watercraft Registration Certificate that has been revoked;

g) The registration record book of watercraft.

2. The management and usage units of watercraft are responsible for managing the following documents:

a) The Watercraft Registration Certificate;

b) Watercraft documents;

c) Minutes on the loss or disappearance of watercraft documents (if any);

d) Certificates of technical safety and environmental protection for watercraft that have been issued;

đ) Documents changing the nameplate, merging management and usage units of watercraft, or renaming watercraft by authorized authorities (if any).

3. The registration files of watercraft shall be managed and used according to regulations on the management and use of files and documents within the Public Security force.

Chapter V
RESPONSIBILITIES OF PUBLIC SECURITY UNITS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES RELATED TO THE WORK OF DESIGNING, CONSTRUCTING NEW WATERCRAFT, REPAIRING AND MODIFYING, REGISTERING, AND INSPECTING WATERCRAFT OF THE PUBLIC SECURITY FORCE

Article 35. Responsibilities of the Traffic Police Corps

1. Inspect and guide the Public Security units under the Ministry of Public Security, provincial and municipal public security departments, importers, designers, constructors of watercraft, and organizations registering and inspecting watercraft of the Public Security force in accordance with regulations.

2. Manage the quality of technical safety and environmental protection of watercraft of the Public Security force as stipulated in this Circular. Organize inspections of watercraft files, procedures, and actual conditions, issue related documents for the work of registering and inspecting watercraft of the Public Security force as stipulated in this Circular.

3. Implement the digitalization of watercraft files when material and technical infrastructure conditions are met.

4. Summarize results, difficulties, and obstacles during implementation; report to the leadership of the Ministry of Public Security to resolve specific cases according to assigned functions and tasks.

Article 36. Responsibilities of Public Security Units and Localities

1. Guide subordinate public security units under provincial and municipal public security departments, importers, designers, and constructors in implementing this Circular.

2. Direct, guide, and inspect the registration and inspection of civilian watercraft in accordance with regulations.

3. Bear responsibility before the Ministry of Public Security for selecting importers, designers, and constructors in accordance with this Circular and relevant laws and regulations.

4. Direct and arrange qualified staff to carry out the registration and inspection of civilian watercraft as prescribed.

5. Implement the digitization of records concerning civilian watercraft when material and technical infrastructure conditions are met.

6. Advise and propose to the Ministry of Public Security (through the Traffic Police Corps) to resolve difficulties and issues related to importing, designing, constructing, registering, and inspecting civilian watercraft.

Article 37. Responsibilities of Units Managing and Using Watercraft

1. Before undergoing inspection, managing and using units must check, maintain, and proactively repair watercraft according to the items specified in Appendix I and applicable technical standards and regulations stipulated in this Circular.

2. In cases where watercraft are sold or liquidated out of the asset inventory of the civilian public security force, managing and using units must recover the watercraft registration certificate, technical inspection logbook, safety and environmental protection certificate, and submit them to the registration and inspection authority as prescribed.

3. Bear legal responsibility for operating watercraft that do not meet technical safety and environmental protection requirements.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 38. Effective Date

Article 38. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from November 7, 2025.

2. Circular No. 47/2016/TT-BCA dated November 14, 2016, issued by the Minister of Public Security on the registration and inspection of civilian watercraft (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 47/2016/TT-BCA), shall cease to be effective from the date this Circular comes into force.

Article 39. Transitional Provisions

1. Watercraft under construction or modification prior to the effective date of this Circular shall continue to be implemented in accordance with Circular No. 47/2016/TT-BCA.

2. The technical safety inspection logbooks for civilian watercraft issued in accordance with Circular No. 47/2016/TT-BCA remain valid for use.

3. Safety and environmental protection certificates for civilian watercraft issued in accordance with Circular No. 47/2016/TT-BCA may be used until their expiration date.

4. Pre-printed forms issued in accordance with Circular No. 47/2016/TT-BCA may continue to be used until December 31, 2026.

Article 40. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Director of the Traffic Police Corps is responsible for directing, guiding, and inspecting the implementation of this Circular.

2. Heads of units under the Ministry of Public Security and Directors of provincial and municipal public security departments are responsible for implementing this Circular. During the implementation of this Circular, if there are difficulties or issues, public security units and localities should report to the Ministry of Public Security (through the Traffic Police Corps) for timely guidance.