(a) The requirements of this subpart shall apply to all weight handling gear installed on oceanographic research vessels except weight handling gear designated to handle primary lifesaving equipment. Weight handling gear designated for this use shall meet the applicable portions of Subchapter I (Cargo and Miscellaneous Vessels) of this chapter.

(b) Weight handling gear placed under the inspection and testing required for cargo gear by the classification society or cargo gear bureaus recognized in Subchapter I (Cargo and Miscellaneous Vessels) of this chapter may be considered as having met the intent of this subpart.

(a) In recognition of the special nature of oceanographic research vessel operations, it is intended that maximum flexibility be given to the owner or operator in complying with the safety requirements for weight handling gear in this subpart. The primary interest of the Coast Guard shall extend to hazards associated with the connections to the vessel, dangerous moving parts, extremes in temperature and shock hazards.

(a) An installation load test and safety assessment shall be conducted by the owner or operator. Section 189.35-13 may be used as a guide for the safety assessment. It shall be the responsibility of the owner or operator to notify the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, of the time and place of the installation tests when occurring in a port of the United States to permit a marine inspector to witness the tests if desired. Subsequent owner or operator conducted tests may be required at the time of the vessel's inspection periods if a visual examination or review of the equipment record reveals evidence of an unsafe condition. Tests should normally consist of exercising the equipment as a unit with a proof load 25 percent in excess of the equipment's normal working load, however manufacturer's design limitations should not be exceeded. Consideration shall be given to the plans of loading when conducting these tests. Braking, safety and limiting devices shall be tested whenever feasible.

(a) Examination of weight handling gear will normally consist of a visual examination with access covers removed. Suitability of the equipment for the service intended will be emphasized. Disassembly of the equipment will be required only when there is evidence of a deficiency or an unsafe condition. Non-destructive tests, such as radiography, ultrasonic, electronic, or other methods may be used if appropriate, however will not be required.

(a) Plans will not normally be required, however depending on the use of the weight handling gear, submission of plans or other technical information may be required by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection. Unless an unsafe condition is in evidence, vessel operations will not be delayed while plans or other technical information are under review. Plans, when required, shall normally include:

(1) One line electrical diagrams showing appropriate overload protection as currently required by subchapter J (Electrical Engineering) of this chapter.

(2) Plans showing hydraulic or pneumatic equipment.

(3) Stress and/or arrangement diagrams with supporting design calculations as appropriate to the specific equipment in question.

(b) When weight handling gear is built to a recognized code or specification, plans or other technical data will not normally be required. Purchase specification or vendor's information may be accepted in lieu of design calculations if sufficiently definitive of materials, design (safety) factors and operating limitations.

(c) Design information, when required, will be evaluated against the following minimum design criteria:

(1) Wet Weight Handling Gear: Wet gear shall be considered to consist of gear used to lower equipment, apparatus or objects beneath the surface of the water or for trailing objects, where the wire rope or cable is payed out beneath the surface and becomes part of the line pull at the head sheave or winch drum. Wet gear shall be designed, as a minimum, to withstand and operate in excess of the breaking strength of the strongest section or wire to be used in any condition of loading. The safety factor for all metal structural parts shall be a minimum of 1.5; i.e., the yield strength of the material shall be at least 1.5 times the calculated stresses resulting from application of a load equal to the nominal breaking strength of the strongest section or wire rope to be used. Suitable assumptions for the actual loading conditions shall be used in the design of wet gear. The lead of the wire rope from the head sheave or winch drum shall be considered to vary from the vertical and in azimuth in a manner to represent the most adverse loading condition.

(2) Other weight handling gear will be evaluated on the basis of the standards of a recognized organization or association recognized by the Commandant under § 31.10-6.

(3) Hydraulic or pneumatic systems will be evaluated on the basis of Subchapter F (Marine Engineering) of this chapter.

(a) If the above safety requirements defeat the purpose of any particular piece of weight handling gear, consideration will be given to a relaxation of the requirements.

(a) The master of the vessel shall ensure the following:

(1) The gear is properly installed and secure.

(2) Suitable safety guards are installed in way of rotating machinery, hazardous cable runs and at other appropriate locations.

(3) Operating limitations are posted in an appropriate manner.

(4) Only qualified operators are permitted to operate the weight handling gear. The master shall designate the operators.

(5) A minimum number of persons are allowed in the immediate area.

(6) The installation does not violate the approved trim and stability information.

(7) A suitable permanent record is maintained on the equipment as appropriate showing such items as inspections, tests, important repairs and casualties experienced. This record shall be made available to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, upon request.

(b) Prior to a vessel's departure, an entry shall also be made in the official logbook that the ship's weight handling gear is in compliance with the applicable requirements in this subchapter.

(a) Where the installation of weight handling gear requires modifications to the vessel's structure or affects the stability in a manner which cannot be assessed by the information contained in the approved trim and stability information, appropriate plans and information shall be submitted for approval. The installation shall then be inspected by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection for conformance with the approved installation plans and information.

(a) Weight handling gear manufactured prior to March 1, 1968, will be accepted on the basis of appropriate tests and examinations should plans or other technical information not be available.