The provisions of this subpart shall apply to all oceanographic research vessels on an international voyage. (See § 188.05-10 of this subchapter.)

(a) All vessels on an international voyage are required to have a Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate. This certificate shall be issued by the U.S. Coast Guard or the American Bureau of Shipping to certain vessels on behalf of the United States of America as provided in Regulation 12, Chapter I, of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974.

(b) All such vessels shall meet the applicable requirements of this chapter for vessels on an international voyage.

(a) All vessels on an international voyage are required to have a Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate.

(b) All such vessels shall meet the applicable requirements of this chapter for vessels on an international voyage.

Every vessel equipped with a radio installation on an international voyage must have a Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate. Each radio installation must meet the requirements of the Federal Communication Commission and the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea.

(a) A vessel may be exempted by the Commandant from complying with certain requirements of the Convention under his administration upon request made in writing to him and transmitted via the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.

(b) When an exemption is granted to a vessel by the Commandant under and in accordance with the Convention, an Exemption Certificate describing such exemption shall be issued through the appropriate Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, in addition to other required certificates.

All vessels to which 33 CFR part 96 applies on an international voyage must have a valid Safety Management Certificate and a copy of their company's valid Document of Compliance certificate on board.

The Convention certificates must be on board the vessel and readily available for examination at all times.

(a) The following certificates are valid for a period of not more than 60 months (5 years).

(1) A Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate.

(2) A Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate.

(3) A Safety Management Certificate.

(4) A Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate.

(b) An Exemption certificate must not be valid for longer than the period of the certificate to which it refers.

(c) A Convention certificate may be withdrawn, revoked, or suspended at any time when it is determined that the vessel is no longer in compliance with applicable requirements. (See § 2.01-70 of this chapter for procedures governing appeals.)

(a) The American Bureau of Shipping, with its home office at ABS Plaza, 16855 Northchase Drive, Houston, TX 77060, is hereby designated as an organization duly authorized to issue the “Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate” to certain oceanographic research vessels on behalf of the United States of America as provided in Regulation 12, Chapter I, of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, and Executive Order 12234 and the certificate shall be subject to the requirements in this subpart. The American Bureau of Shipping is authorized to place the official seal of the United States of America on the certificate. This designation and delegation to the American Bureau of Shipping shall be in effect until terminated by proper authority and notice of cancellation is published in the Federal Register.

(b) At the option of the owner or agent of a vessel on an international voyage and on direct application to the American Bureau of Shipping, the Bureau may issue to such vessel a Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate, having a period of validity of not more than 60 months after ascertaining that the vessel:

(1) Has met the applicable requirements of the Convention; and

(2) Is currently classed by the Bureau and classification requirements have been dealt with to the satisfaction of the Bureau.

(c) When the Bureau determines that a vessel to which it has issued a Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate no longer complies with the Bureau's applicable requirements for classification, the Bureau shall immediately furnish to the Coast Guard all relevant information, which will be used by the Coast Guard to determine whether or not to withdraw, revoke or suspend the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate.