Large Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations — 15
15 (1) A fuel tank that is separate from the hull shall comply with the following: (a) the tank shall be made of steel or other material that, in the opinion of the Board, is suitable for the purpose; (b) the tank shall be constructed of material having a minimum thickness of plate of (i) 3 mm where the capacity of the tank is more than 114 L and not more than 1 364 L, (ii) 5 mm where the capacity of the tank is more than 1 364 L and not more than 4 550 L, and (iii) 6 mm where the capacity of the tank is more than 4 550 L; (c) where the capacity of a fuel tank does not exceed 114 L, it may be constructed of material that is less than 3 mm; (d) where the fuel tank referred to in paragraph (c) (i) is to be used for gasoline, (ii) has a capacity of more than 23 L, and (iii) is constructed of material that is not corrosive resistant, the tank shall be galvanized inside and outside by the hot dipped process after construction is completed; (e) where the capacity of a fuel tank is more than 114 L, it shall be fitted with stiffeners so that unsupported flat surfaces shall not exceed (i) 0.28 m 2 where the thickness of the tank plating is 3 mm, (ii) 0.56 m 2 where the thickness of the tank plating is 5 mm, (iii) 0.84 m 2 where the thickness of the tank plating is 6 mm, and (iv) 1.12 m 2 where the thickness of the tank plating is 8 mm; (f) where the thickness of the tank plating is intermediate to any set out in paragraph (b) the unsupported flat surface area shall be calculated by interpolation and where such thickness exceeds 8 mm, the unsupported flat surface area shall be calculated by a like progression as in paragraph (b) and by interpolation; (g) if considered necessary by the Board, baffle plates shall be fitted inside the tank; (h) a fuel tank having a capacity (i) exceeding 1 364 L and not exceeding 4 550 L shall be fitted with a suitable clean-out door, and (ii) exceeding 4 550 L shall be fitted with a manhole door; (i) the seams of a fuel tank shall be welded, brazed or double riveted, but soldered joints may be used on a tank having a capacity of not over 114 L if the solder has a melting point of not less than 427°C; (j) subject to paragraph (k), a fuel tank having a capacity exceeding 114 L shall be tested on completion by hydraulic pressure to a head of at least 2.44 m above the crown or to the maximum head to which the tank will be subjected, whichever is the greater, and the tests shall be witnessed by an inspector; and (k) in the case of any fuel tank having a capacity not exceeding 1 364 L, the inspector may, when it is not practicable for him to witness the test, accept a written statement from the manufacturer certifying that the hydraulic pressure test referred to in paragraph (j) has been carried out and that no defects were revealed. (2) Where the capacity of a fuel tank is more than 114 L, it shall be provided with (a) a filling pipe that (i) is at least 38 mm in internal diameter, (ii) leads from the top of the tank to the weatherdeck, the connection through the deck being watertight, (iii) is fitted with a screwed brass plug or cap, and (iv) is made sufficiently flexible to absorb any vibration or sinkage of the tank; and (b) a vent pipe that (i) leads from the top of the tank to a safe height and location above the weatherdeck, (ii) is clear of all openings into the hull or deck house, (iii) has the end of the pipe covered with wire gauze and turned down through an angle of 180 degrees, and (iv) has the deck connection watertight, but two or more vent pipes may be branched off from the pipe leading to the deck provided that the deck pipe is increased in diameter to maintain the required cross-sectional area, which area shall not be less than that of the filling pipe. (3) Each fuel tank shall be provided with a suitable means for ascertaining the level of the oil therein and if sounding pipes are fitted they shall be led to an accessible position on a deck above the load water line, but where this arrangemen