(a) Each change in design, material, or construction from the plans approved under 46 CFR 159.005-13 and § 160.133-13(h) of this subpart must be approved by the Commandant before being used in any production release mechanism. The manufacturer must submit any such change following the procedures set forth in § 160.133-9 of this subpart, but documentation on items that are unchanged from the plans approved under 46 CFR 159.005-13 and § 160.133-13(h) of this subpart need not be resubmitted.

(b) Unless determined by the Commandant to be unnecessary, a prototype release mechanism with each change described in paragraph (a) of this section must be made and tested according to the procedures for new approvals in §§ 160.133-9 through 160.133-13 of this subpart.

(c) Determinations of equivalence of design, material, or construction will be made by the Commandant only.