(a) The provisions of this subpart shall apply to all vessels.

(a) The provisions in this subpart contain requirements for the design, construction, and stowage of portable vans, or tanks, which may be carried on board vessels. As used in this subpart, portable vans and tanks, are intended to include those temporary structures which may be carried aboard a vessel for a limited period of time and which are not permanently attached to the vessel.

(b) Special consideration may be given to the approval of portable structures which have been used for other purposes prior to proposed use on these vessels.

(c) As used in this subpart, portable vans, magazines, chests, etc., are intended to include those temporary structures which may be carried aboard a vessel for a limited period of time and which are not permanently attached to the vessel. The use, arrangement, and handling of such portable structures shall be approved by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, prior to placement on board the vessel.

(a) The design and material selection shall incorporate consideration of forces and environmental conditions to which the structure, attachments, and attachment points will be exposed.

(b) Steel, aluminum or other substantial material suitable for a marine environment may be used for construction of the basic van box.

(c) Accommodation vans are those intended to provide increased accommodation and related spaces of a temporary nature aboard a vessel. They shall, insofar as is reasonable and practicable, meet the applicable requirements of this subchapter for means of escape, arrangement, interior construction, and electrical installations.

(d) Power vans are those outfitted with electrical power generating machinery or batteries providing electrical power for other vans or to scientific equipment. They shall insofar as is reasonable and practicable meet the applicable requirements of this subchapter for pressure piping, electrical, fire extinguishing and ventilation systems.

(e) Vans for the use or storage of chemical stores as defined in § 194.05-3 of this subchapter shall be constructed and outfitted in accordance with the applicable requirements of this subchapter.

(f) Vans containing scientific equipment are considered as within the definition of § 188.10-67 of this subchapter.

(a) Accommodation, power and chemical stores vans are subject to normal plan submission procedures of subpart 189.55 and to initial construction inspection. They must be inspected at each inspection for certification and periodic inspection.

(b) Vans which have not undergone plan review and initial inspection may be accepted on a single voyage basis by the OCMI provided that they are in good condition and are free of hazards to personnel.

(a) All vans shall be provided with a label plate stating light weight, gross weight, and power requirements where applicable.

(b) For vans subject to inspection label plates shall provide space for the date of initial inspection, the marine inspector's initials, and stamp. Space shall also be provided for the reinspection stamping.

(a) Vans required to be inspected and bearing a current inspection stamp may be accepted for loading and stowage by the master of the vessel who shall insure that the van is in good condition.

(1) Vans containing scientific equipment and nonhazardous stores may be accepted by the master of the vessel subject to his inspection to determine that electrical and pressure connections are in good condition and adequate for the service intended.

(b) The master shall insure that all vans are securely stowed and attached to the vessel to prevent shifting in a seaway. Portable vans to be occupied during the vessel's operation shall be securely attached to the vessel by welding, bolting, or equivalent means.

(c) Vans shall be located with due regard to access and to prevent recirculation of the discharge from the exhaust systems of the vessel.

(d) The loading of vans shall be in accordance with the stability requirements of the vessel.

(e) Prior to a vessel's departure, an entry shall be made in the official logbook for each portable van placed on board that such van and its stowage are in compliance with the applicable requirements in this subchapter.

(a) All portable tanks, whether hazardous or nonhazardous commodities, shall be loaded and stowed in accordance with the stability requirements of the vessel.

(b) Portable tanks for flammable or combustible liquids in bulk (see § 188.05-30(b) of this subchapter) shall not be carried on vessels.

(c) Portable tanks containing other hazardous materials shall be in accordance with the requirements of 49 CFR parts 171-179.