(a) Except as otherwise provided by law or regulation in this part, the electrical equipment may be considered acceptable if it complies with the requirements covered by any one of the following:

(1) U.S. Navy Standard Construction Specifications currently in effect.

(2) U. S. Coast Guard electrical engineering requirements in Subchapter J (Electrical Engineering) of this chapter.

(3) Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) Standard No. 45, 1945 or 1948 Revision. These standards may be purchased from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Inc. (IEEE), IEEE Service Center, 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08855.

(b) Changes or alterations in the electrical installations of vessels now in service shall be in accordance with standards set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) Special attention shall be given by the inspectors in the examination of present installation to see that it is of such nature as to preclude any danger of fire, giving particular attention to wiring which is carried through wooden bulkheads, partitions, etc.

All nautical school ships over 100 gross tons shall have all sleeping accommodations, public spaces, and machinery spaces equipped with a sufficient number of alarm bells so located as to warn all occupants. The system shall operate from a continuous source of electric energy capable of supplying the system for a period of at least 8 hours without being dependent upon the main, auxiliary or emergency generating plants. Each bell shall produce a signal of a tone distinct from that of other bell signals in the vicinity and shall be independently fused, with each of these fuses located above the bulkhead deck. The bells shall be controlled by a manually-operated contact maker located in the pilothouse. The characteristics of the contact maker shall be such that it possesses:

(a) Positive contact;

(b) Watertightness (when located in open spaces subject to weather);

(c) Means whereby its electrically open or closed position can be determined by sense of touch;

(d) Means to affect a make-or-break circuit for signaling; and

(e) Self-maintaining contacts.

(a) Each nautical school ship shall be fitted with an efficient means of communication between the pilothouse and engine room. This may be by bell signals with voice tubes, telephone, or telegraph systems.

(b) A voice tube or telephone system between the radio room and the navigating bridge shall be provided when the nautical school ship is equipped with a radio installation.

(c) A voice tube or telephone system between the pilothouse and emergency steering station shall be provided when the nautical school ship is equipped with an emergency steering station.

Nautical school ships shall be equipped with an efficient or electronic deep-sea sounding apparatus. The electronic deep-sea sounding apparatus required shall be installed, kept in working order, and ready for immediate use.

Nautical school ships of over 150 gross tons shall be equipped with an efficient signaling lamp. This lamp shall be permanently fixed above the bridge and equipped with a Fresnel lens and high-speed bulb, operated by a weatherproof key, fitted with a suitable condenser. The lamp shall be so connected that it can be operated from the normal source of the nautical school ship's current, the emergency source, and other emergency batteries if provided.

On nautical school ships all exposed and dangerous places, such as gears and machinery shall be properly protected with covers, guards, or rails, in order that the danger of accidents may be minimized. On nautical school ships equipped with radio (wireless) the lead-ins shall be efficiently incased or insulated to insure the protection of persons from accidental shock. Such lead-ins shall be located so as not to interfere with the launching of lifeboats and life rafts.

All mechanically propelled vessels of 1,600 gross tons and over in ocean or coastwise service must be fitted with a marine radar system for surface navigation. Facilities for plotting radar readings must be provided on the bridge.

(a) All mechanically propelled vessels in ocean or coastwise service must be fitted with a magnetic compass.

(b) All mechanically propelled vessels of 1,600 gross tons and over in ocean or coastwise service must be fitted with a gyrocompass in addition to the magnetic compass.

(c) Each vessel must have an illuminated repeater for the gyrocompass required under paragraph (b) of this section that is at the main steering stand unless the gyrocompass is illuminated and is at the main steering stand.