(a) The initial inspection is a prerequisite of the issuance of the original certificate of inspection.

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

(a) Before application for inspection is made, and before construction is started, the owner or builder shall have plans approved by the Commandant indicating the proposed arrangement and construction of the vessel.

(b) The procedure for submitting plans and the list of plans to be supplied is set forth in subpart 189.55 of this part.

(a) The initial inspection, which may consist of a series of inspections during the construction of a vessel, shall include a complete inspection of the structure, machinery, and equipment, except scientific equipment which does not affect the safety of the vessel or personnel, but including the outside of the vessel's bottom, and the inside and outside of the boilers and unfired pressure vessels. The inspection shall be such as to insure that the arrangements, materials, and scantlings of the structure, boilers and other pressure vessels and their appurtenances, piping, main and auxiliary machinery, electrical installations, lifesaving appliances, fire detecting and extinguishing equipment, pilot boarding equipment, pollution prevention equipment, and other equipment fully comply with the applicable regulations for such vessel and are in accordance with approved plans, and determine that the vessel is in possession of a valid certificate issued by the Federal Communications Commission, if any. The inspection shall be such as to ensure that the workmanship of all parts of the vessel and its equipment is in all respects satisfactory and that the vessel is provided with lights, means of making sound signals, and distress signals as required by applicable statutes and regulations.

(b) When equipment other than scientific equipment is installed which is not required by the applicable regulations in this subchapter, that equipment shall be inspected and tested as may be required for such equipment by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, to assure safety.

(1) The electrical or pressure connections to the ship's supply shall be designed to marine standards and shall be free of personnel hazards.

(2) Scientific equipment will not be inspected but will be examined for external hazards associated with connection to the vessel, dangerous moving parts, extremes in temperature and shock.

The applicable tests and inspections as set forth in subpart 189.25 of this part shall be made at this time. In addition, the following specific tests and inspections shall be made by the marine inspector.

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

(b) Installation of carbon dioxide extinguishing piping. See § 193.15-15 of this subchapter.

(c) Marine engineering equipment and systems. See Subchapter F (Marine Engineering) of this chapter.

(d) Electrical engineering equipment and systems. See Subchapter J (Electrical Engineering) of this chapter.

(a) If installed, the marine inspector shall examine the laboratories, storerooms, magazines, vans, and chests to insure that hazards are minimized.