Regulations last checked for updates: Nov 26, 2024

Title 46 - Shipping last revised: Nov 04, 2024
§ 71.25-1 - Prerequisite of reissuance of certificate of inspection.

(a) The annual inspection is a prerequisite of the reissuance of a certificate of inspection.

(b) [Reserved]

§ 71.25-3 - Incorporation by reference.

(a) Certain material is incorporated by reference into this subpart with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. All approved material is available for inspection at the U.S. Coast Guard, Office of Design and Engineering Standards (CG-ENG), 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE., Stop 7509, Washington, DC 20593-7509, and is available from the sources listed below. It is also available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030 or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

(b) National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169, 617-770-3000, http://www.nfpa.org.

(1) NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, 2010 Edition, effective December 5, 2009, IBR approved for § 71.25-20(a).

(2) [Reserved]

[USCG-2012-0196, 81 FR 48251, July 22, 2016]
§ 71.25-5 - When made.

(a) The annual inspection will be made only upon the written application of the master, owner, or agent of the vessel on Form CG-3752, Application for Inspection of U.S. Vessel, to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, at or nearest the port where the vessel is to be inspected.

(b) You must submit your application for the annual inspection at least 30 days before your current certificate of inspection expires.

[CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16895, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by USCG-1999-4976, 65 FR 6501, Feb. 9, 2000]
§ 71.25-10 - Scope of inspections.

The annual inspection shall include an inspection of the structure, boilers, and other pressure vessels, machinery and equipment. The inspection shall be such as to insure that the vessel, as regards the structure, boilers and other pressure vessels, and their appurtenances, piping, main and auxiliary machinery, electrical installations, life-saving appliances, fire-detecting and extinguishing equipment, pilot boarding equipment, and other equipment is in satisfactory condition and fit for the service for which it is intended, and that it complies with the applicable regulations for such vessels, and determine that the vessel is in possession of a valid certificate issued by the Federal Communications Commission, if required. The lights, means of making sound signals, and distress signals carried by the vessel shall also be subject to the above-mentioned inspection for the purpose of ensuring that they comply with the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.

[CGFR 68-32, 33 FR 5715, Apr. 12, 1968, as amended by CGD 82-036, 48 FR 655, Jan. 6, 1983; CGD 79-032, 49 FR 25455, June 21, 1984; CGD 95-012, 60 FR 48051, Sept. 18, 1995]
§ 71.25-15 - Lifesaving equipment.

For inspection procedures of lifesaving appliances and arrangements, see subchapter W (Lifesaving Appliances and Arrangements) of this chapter.

[CGD 84-069, 61 FR 25287, May 20, 1996]
§ 71.25-20 - Fire detection and extinguishing equipment.

(a) At each annual inspection, the inspector must ensure that the following tests and inspections of fire detection and extinguishing equipment have been conducted:

(1) All portable fire extinguishers and semi-portable fire extinguishing systems must be maintained in accordance with NFPA 10, chapter 7 (incorporated by reference, see § 71.25-3). Chapter 7 requires persons performing annual and periodic maintenance, and recharging to be certified. The Coast Guard requires that the servicing persons be properly licensed to perform fire extinguisher maintenance as required by local authorities having jurisdiction. Monthly inspections required by NFPA 10 may be conducted by the owner, operator, person-in-charge, or a designated member of the crew.

Table 71.25-20(a)(1)

Type unit Test
Soda acidDischarge. Clean hose and inside of extinguisher thoroughly. Recharge.
FoamDischarge. Clean hose and inside of extinguisher thoroughly. Recharge.
Pump tank (water or antifreeze)Discharge. Clean hose and inside of extinguisher thoroughly. Recharge with clean water or antifreeze.
Cartridge operated (water, antifreeze or loaded stream)Examine pressure cartridge and replace if end is punctured or if cartridge is otherwise determined to have leaked or to be in unsuitable condition. Remove liquid. Clean hose and inside of extinguisher thoroughly. Recharge with clean water, solution or antifreeze. Insert charged cartridge.
Carbon DioxideWeigh cylinders. Recharge if weight loss exceed 10 percent of weight of charge. Inspect hose and nozzle to be sure they are clear. 1
Dry chemical (cartridge-operated type)Examine pressure cartridge and replace if end is punctured or if cartridge is otherwise determined to have leaked or to be in unsuitable condition. Inspect hose and nozzle to see they are clear. Insert charged cartridge. Be sure dry chemical is free-flowing (not caked) and chamber contains full charge.
Dry chemical (stored pressure type)See that pressure gage is in operating range. If not, or if seal is broken, weigh or otherwise determine that full charge of dry chemical is in extinguisher. Recharge if pressure is low or if dry chemical is needed.
Vaporizing liquid 2 (pump type)Pump a few strokes into clean pail and replace liquid. Keep water out of extinguisher or liquid. Keep extinguisher completely full of liquid.
Vaporizing liquid (stored pressure type)See that pressure gage is in operating range. Weigh or check liquid level to determine that full charge of liquid is in extinguisher. Recharge if pressure is low or if liquid is needed.

1 Cylinders must be tested and marked, and all flexible connections and discharge hoses of semi-portable carbon dioxide and halon extinguishers must be tested or renewed, as required by §§ 147.60 and 147.65 of this chapter.

2 Vaporizing-liquid type fire extinguishers containing carbon tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane or other toxic vaporizing liquids must be removed from all vessels. (See § 76.50-5(e) of this subchapter.)

(2) Fixed fire extinguishing systems must be checked as noted in table 71.25-20(a)(2). In addition all parts of the fixed fire extinguishing systems must be examined for excessive corrosion and general conditions.

Table 71.25-20(a)(2)

Type system Test
FoamSystems utilizing a soda solution must have that solution replaced. In all cases, ascertain that powder is not caked.
Carbon dioxideWeigh cylinders. Recharge cylinder if weight loss exceeds 10 percent of the weight of the charge. Test time delays, alarms, and ventilation shutdowns with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or other nonflammable gas as stated in the system manufacturer's instruction manual. Inspect hoses for damage or decay. Ensure that nozzles are unobstructed. Cylinders must be tested and marked, and all flexible connections on fixed carbon dioxide systems must be tested or renewed, as required by 46 CFR 147.60 and 147.65.
Halon 1301 and halocarbonRecharge or replace if weight loss exceeds 5 percent of the weight of the charge or if cylinder has a pressure gauge, recharge cylinder if pressure loss exceeds 10 percent, adjusted for temperature. Test time delays, alarms, and ventilation shutdowns with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or other nonflammable gas as stated in the system manufacturer's instruction manual. Inspect hoses for damage or decay. Ensure that nozzles are unobstructed. Cylinders must be tested and marked, and all flexible connections to Halon 1301 and halocarbon cylinders must be tested or renewed, as required by 46 CFR 147.60 and 147.65 or 147.67.
NOTE: Halon 1301 system approvals have expired, but existing systems may be retained if they are in good and serviceable condition to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard inspector.
Inert gasRecharge or replace cylinder if cylinder pressure loss exceeds 5 percent of the specified gauge pressure, adjusted for temperature. Test time delays, alarms, and ventilation shutdowns with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or other nonflammable gas as stated in the system manufacturer's instruction manual. Ensure that nozzles are unobstructed. Cylinders must be tested and marked, and all flexible connections on fixed inert extinguishers must be tested or renewed, as required by 46 CFR 147.60 and 147.66.
Water mistMaintain system in accordance with the maintenance instructions in the system manufacturer's design, installation, operation, and maintenance manual.

(3) All fire detection and extinguishing systems, all piping controls, valves, and alarms must be checked to ascertain that the system is in operating condition. In this respect, automatic sprinkling systems must be checked by means of test stations or opening heads, smoke detection systems must be checked by introducing smoke into the accumulators, fire detection and manual alarm systems must be checked by test stations or actuating detectors or pull boxes, and steam smothering lines must be checked with at least a 50 p.s.i. air pressure with the ends capped or by blowing steam through the lines at the designed pressure.

(4) The fire main system must be operated and the pressure checked at the most remote and highest outlets. All firehose must be subjected to a test pressure equivalent to the maximum pressure to which they may be subjected in service, but not less than 100 p.s.i.

(b) [Reserved]

[CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16895, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGFR 68-32, 33 FR 5716, Apr. 12, 1968; CGD 84-044, 53 FR 7748, Mar. 10, 1988; USCG-2006-24797, 77 FR 33874, June 7, 2012; USCG-2014-0688, 79 FR 58281, Sept. 29, 2014; USCG-2012-0196; 81 FR 48252, July 22, 2016]
§ 71.25-25 - Hull equipment.

(a) At each annual inspection, the inspector shall conduct the following tests and inspections of hull equipment:

(1) All subdivision bulkheads shall be examined to determine that their watertight integrity has not been impaired.

(2) All watertight doors shall be operated locally by manual power and also by hydraulic or electric power if so fitted. Where remote control is fitted, the doors shall also be operated by the remote control apparatus.

(3) All magnetically controlled fire doors shall be operated locally and by the remote control, and all automatic fire dampers shall be checked to determine that they are in an operable condition.

(4) The remote controls of all valves shall be operated.

(5) The owner, operator or master shall provide the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection with all current valid certificates and registers of cargo gear issued by an organization recognized by the Commandant under § 31.10-16.

(b) Every acceptable cargo gear certificate and/or register shall be properly executed by a person authorized to do so and shall:

(1) Certify as to the tests and examinations conducted;

(2) Show the dates on which the tests and examinations were conducted; and,

(3) Indicate that the cargo gear described in the certificate or register complies with the standards of the organization or association authorized to issue the certificate or register.

(c) Competent persons for the purposes of this section are defined as—

(1) Surveyors of a classification society recognized by the Commandant under 46 U.S.C. 3316.

(2) Surveyors of a cargo gear organization recognized by the Commandant under § 31.10-16.

(3) Responsible officials or employees of the testing laboratories, companies, or organizations who conduct tests of pieces of loose cargo gear, wire rope, or the annealing of gear as may be required by the standards of the organization or association authorized to issue the certificate or register.

(d) The registers issued in connection with cargo gear certification must have all required entries fully completed as of the dates indicated, shall be kept current, and shall include the following:

(1) A register of the cargo handling machinery and the gear accessory thereto carried on the vessel named therein;

(2) Certification of the testing and examination of winches, derricks, and their accessory gear;

(3) Certification of the testing and examination of cranes, hoists, and their accessory gear;

(4) Certification of the testing and examination of chains, rings, hooks, shackles, swivels, and blocks;

(5) Certification of the testing and examination of wire rope;

(6) Certification of the heat treatment of chains, rings, hooks, shackles, and swivels which require such treatment; and,

(7) Certification of the annual thorough examinations of gear not required to be periodically heat treated.

[CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16895, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGD 95-028, 62 FR 51203, Sept. 30, 1997]
§ 71.25-30 - [Reserved]
§ 71.25-35 - Marine engineering equipment.

(a) For inspection procedures of marine engineering equipment and systems, see subchapter F. (Marine Engineering) of this chapter.

(b) [Reserved]

§ 71.25-37 - Pollution prevention.

At each inspection for certification, the inspector shall examine the vessel to determine that it meets the vessel design and equipment requirements for pollution prevention in 33 CFR part 155, subpart B.

[CGD 71-161R, 37 FR 28262, Dec. 21, 1972]
§ 71.25-40 - Sanitary inspection.

(a) At each annual inspection the passenger and crew quarters, toilet and washing spaces, galleys, serving pantries, lockers, etc., shall be examined by the inspector to be assured that they are in a sanitary condition.

(b) [Reserved]

§ 71.25-45 - Fire hazards.

(a) At each annual inspection, the inspector shall examine the tank tons and bilges in the machinery spaces to see that there is no accumulation of oil which might create a fire hazard.

(b) [Reserved]

§ 71.25-50 - Inspector not limited.

(a) Nothing in this subpart shall be construed as limiting the inspector from making such tests or inspections as he deems necessary to be assured of the safety and seaworthiness of the vessel.

(b) [Reserved]

authority: 46 U.S.C. 2113,3205,3306,3307,70034; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.2
source: CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16895, Dec. 30, 1965, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 46 CFR 71.25-1