Title 46—Shipping--Volume 1
PART 196—OPERATIONS
§ 196.01-1   General; preemptive effect.
(a) The provisions of this part shall apply to all vessels except as specifically noted in this part.
(b) The regulations in this part have preemptive effect over State or local regulations in the same field.
§ 196.05-1   Duty of officers.
(a) Licensed deck officers are required to acquaint themselves with the latest information published by the Coast Guard and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency regarding aids to navigation. Neglect to do so is evidence of neglect of duty. It is desirable that all vessels have available in the pilothouse for convenient reference at all times a file of the applicable Notice to Mariners.
(b) Local Notices to Mariners, published by each U.S. Coast Guard District, contain announcements and information on changes in aids to navigation and other marine information affecting the safety of navigation on oceans and coastwise and the Great Lakes. These notices may be obtained free of charge from the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Web site found at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName = lnmMain.
(c) Weekly Notices to Mariners (Worldwide coverage) are prepared jointly by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, National Ocean Service, and the U.S. Coast Guard. They include changes in aids to navigation and other important navigation safety information in assembled form for U.S. waters. Foreign marine information is also included in these notices. These notices are available without charge from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Web site found at http://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal.
§ 196.05-5   Charts and nautical publications.
As appropriate for the intended voyage, all vessels except barges, and vessels operating exclusively on rivers, must carry adequate and up-to-date—
(a) Charts;
(b) Sailing directions;
(c) Coast pilots;
(d) Light lists;
(e) Notices to mariners;
(f) Tide tables;
(g) Current tables; and
(h) All other nautical publications necessary. 1
1 For United States vessels in or on the navigable waters of the United States, see 33 CFR 164.33.
§ 196.07-1   Notice and reporting of casualty and voyage records.
The requirements for providing notice and reporting of marine casualties and for retaining voyage records are contained in part 4 of this chapter.
§ 196.12-1   Posting.
If a stability letter is issued in accordance with the requirements in § 170.120 of this chapter, it must be posted under glass or other suitable transparent material in the pilothouse of the vessel.
§ 196.13-1   Muster lists, emergency signals, and manning.
The requirements for muster lists, emergency signals, and manning must be in accordance with subchapter W (Lifesaving Appliances and Arrangements) of this chapter.
§ 196.15-1   Application.
(a) The provisions of this subpart shall apply to all vessels.
§ 196.15-3   Steering gear, whistle, and means of communication.
(a) On all vessels making a voyage of more than 48 hours duration, the entire steering gear, the whistle, and the means of communication between the bridge or pilothouse and engineroom shall be examined and tested by an officer of the vessel within a period of not more than 12 hours prior to departure. On all other vessels similar examinations and tests shall be made at least once in every week.
(b) The date of the test and the condition of the equipment shall be noted in the official logbook.
§ 196.15-5   Drafts.
(a) The master of every vessel on an ocean, coastwise, or Great Lakes voyage shall enter the drafts of the vessel, forward and aft, in the official logbook when leaving port.
(b) On vessels subject to the requirements of Subchapter E (Load Lines) of this chapter at the time of departure from port on an ocean, coastwise, or Great Lakes voyage, the master shall insert in the official logbook a statement of the position of the loadline mark, port, and starboard, in relation to the surface of the water in which the vessel is then floating.
(1) When an allowance for draft is made for density of the water in which the vessel is floating, this density is to be noted in the official logbook.
§ 196.15-7   Verification of vessel compliance with applicable stability requirements.
(a) After loading and prior to departure and at all other times necessary to assure the safety of the vessel, the master shall determine that the vessel complies with all applicable stability requirements in the vessel's trim and stability book, stability letter, Certificate of Inspection, and Load Line Certificate, as the case may be, and then enter an attestation statement of the verification in the log book. The vessel may not depart until it is in compliance with these requirements.
(b) When determining compliance with applicable stability requirements the vessel's draft, trim, and stability must be determined as necessary and any stability calculations made in support of the determination must be retained on board the vessel for the duration of the voyage.
§ 196.15-10   Sanitation.
(a) It shall be the duty of the master and chief engineer to see that the vessel, and, in particular, the quarters are in a clean and sanitary condition. The chief engineer shall be responsible only for the sanitary condition of the engineering department.
§ 196.15-15   Examination of boilers and machinery.
(a) It shall be the duty of the chief engineer when he assumes charge of the boilers and machinery of a vessel to examine them thoroughly. If any parts thereof are in unsatisfactory condition, or if the safety-valve seals are broken, the fact shall immediately be reported to the master, owner, or agent, and the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
§ 196.15-18   Loading doors.
(a) The master of a vessel fitted with loading doors shall assure that all loading doors are closed watertight and secured during the entire voyage except that—
(1) If a door cannot be opened or closed while the vessel is at a dock, it may be open while the vessel approaches and draws away from the dock, but only as far as necessary to enable the door to be immediately operated.
(2) If needed to operate the vessel, or embark and disembark passengers when the vessel is at anchor in protected waters, loading doors may be open provided that the master determines that the safety of the vessel is not impaired.
(b) For the purposes of this section, “loading doors” include all weathertight ramps, bow visors, and openings used to load personnel, equipment, cargo, and stores, in the collision bulkhead, the side shell, and the boundaries of enclosed superstructures that are continuous with the shell of the vessel.
(c) The master shall enter into the log book the time and door location of every closing of the loading doors.
(d) The master shall enter into the log book any opening of the doors in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section setting forth the time of the opening of the doors and the circumstances warranting this action.
§ 196.15-20   Hatches and other openings.
(a) It shall be the responsibility of the master to assure himself that all exposed hatches and other openings in the hull of his vessel are closed, made properly watertight by the use of tarpaulins, gaskets or similar devices, and in all respects properly secured for sea before leaving protected waters.
(b) The openings to which this section applies are as follows:
(1) Exposed hatches.
(2) Gangway and other ports fitted below the freeboard deck.
(3) Port lights that are not accessible during navigation, including the dead lights for such port lights.
(c) The master at his discretion may permit hatches or other openings to remain uncovered or open, or to be uncovered or opened for reasonable purposes such as ship's maintenance while the vessel is being navigated: Provided, That in his opinion existing conditions warrant such action.
(d) In the event the master employs the discretionary provisions of this section after leaving port he shall cause appropriate entries to be made in the official log or equivalent thereof setting forth the time of uncovering, opening, closing or covering of the hatches or other openings to which this section applies and the circumstances warranting the action taken.
(e) The discretionary provisions of this section shall not relieve the master of his responsibility for the safety of his vessel, equipment or persons on board.
§ 196.15-30   Emergency lighting and power systems.
(a) Where fitted, it shall be the duty of the master to see that the emergency lighting and power systems are operated and inspected at least once in each week that the vessel is navigated to be assured that the system is in proper operating condition.
(b) Internal combustion engine driven emergency generators shall be operated under load for at least 2 hours, at least once in each month that the vessel is navigated.
(c) Storage batteries for emergency lighting and power systems shall be tested at least once in each 6-month period that the vessel is navigated to demonstrate the ability of the storage battery to supply the emergency loads for the specified period of time.
(d) The date of the tests and the condition and performance of the apparatus shall be noted in the official logbook.
§ 196.15-35   Emergency training, musters, and drills.
Onboard training, musters, and drills must be in accordance with subchapter W (Lifesaving Appliances and Arrangements) of this chapter.
§ 196.15-55   Requirements for fuel oil.
(a) It shall be the duty of the chief engineer to cause an entry in the log to be made of each supply of fuel oil received on board, stating the quantity received, the name of the vendor, the name of the oil producer, and the flashpoint (closed cup test) for which it is certified by the producer.
(b) It shall be the further duty of the chief engineer to cause to be drawn and sealed and suitably labeled at the time the supply is received on board, a half-pint sample of each lot of fuel oil. These samples shall be preserved until the particular supply of oil is exhausted.
§ 196.15-60   Firefighting equipment, general.
(a) It shall be the duty of the owner, master, or person in charge to see that the vessel's firefighting equipment is at all times ready for use and that all such equipment required by the regulations in this subchapter is provided, maintained, and replaced as indicated.
(b) It shall be the duty of the owner, master, or person in charge to require and have performed at least once in every 12 months the tests and inspections of all hand portable fire extinguishers, semiportable fire extinguishing systems, and fixed fire extinguishing systems on board as described in Tables 189.25-20(a)(1) and 189.25-20(a)(2) in § 189.25-20(a) of this subchapter. The owner, master, or person in charge shall keep records of such tests and inspections showing the dates when performed, the number and/or other identification of each unit tested and inspected, and the name(s) of the person(s) and/or company conducting the tests and inspections. Such records shall be made available to the marine inspector upon request and shall be kept for the period of validity of the vessel's current certificate of inspection. Where practicable these records should be kept in or with the vessel's logbook. The conduct of these tests and inspections does not relieve the owner, master, or person in charge of his responsibility to maintain this firefighting equipment in proper condition at all times.
§ 196.19-1   Data required.
For each ocean and coastwise vessel of 1,600 gross tons or over, the following apply:
(a) The following maneuvering information must be prominently displayed in the pilothouse on a fact sheet:
(1) For full and half speed, a turning circle diagram to port and starboard that shows the time and the distance of advance and transfer required to alter the course 90 degrees with maximum rudder angle and constant power settings.
(2) The time and distance to stop the vessel from full and half speed while maintaining approximately the initial heading with minimum application of rudder.
(3) For each vessel with a fixed propeller, a table of shaft revolutions per minute for a representative range of speeds.
(4) For each vessel with a controllable pitch propeller a table of control settings for a representative range of speeds.
(5) For each vessel that is fitted with an auxiliary device to assist in maneuvering, such as a bow thruster, a table of vessel speeds at which the auxiliary device is effective in maneuvering the vessel.
(b) The maneuvering information must be provided in the normal load and normal light condition with normal trim for a particular condition of loading assuming the following—
(1) Calm weather—wind 10 knots or less, calm sea;
(2) No current;
(3) Deep water conditions—water depth twice the vessel's draft or greater; and
(4) Clean hull.
(c) At the bottom of the fact sheet, the following statement must appear:
(1) Calm weather—wind 10 knots or less, calm sea;
(2) No current;
(3) Water depth twice the vessel's draft or greater.
(4) Clean hull; and
(5) Intermediate drafts or unusual trim.
(d) The information on the fact sheet must be:
(1) Verified six months after the vessel is placed in service; or
(2) Modified six months after the vessel is placed into service and verified within three months thereafter.
(e) The information that appears on the fact sheet may be obtained from:
(1) Trial trip observations;
(2) Model tests;
(3) Analytical calculations;
(4) Simulations;
(5) Information established from another vessel of similar hull form, power, rudder and propeller; or
(6) Any combination of the above.
(f) The requirements for information for fact sheets for specialized craft such as semi-submersibles, hydrofoils, hovercraft and other vessels of unusual design will be specified on a case by case basis.
§ 196.20-1   Unnecessary whistling prohibited.
(a) The unnecessary sounding of the vessel's whistle is prohibited within any harbor limits of the United States.
§ 196.25-1   Improper use prohibited.
(a) No person shall flash or cause to be flashed the rays of a searchlight or other blinding light onto the bridge or into the pilothouse of any vessel underway.
§ 196.27-1   Master's and officer's responsibility.
(a) Nothing in this part shall exonerate any master or officer in command from the consequences of any neglect to keep a proper lookout or the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen or by the special circumstances of the case.
§ 196.30-1   Repairs to boilers and pressure vessels.
(a) Before making any repairs to boilers or unfired pressure vessels, the Chief Engineer shall submit a report covering the nature of the repairs to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, at or nearest to the U.S. port where the repairs are to be made.
§ 196.30-5   Accidents to machinery.
(a) In the event of an accident to a boiler, unfired pressure vessel, or machinery tending to render the further use of the item unsafe until repairs are made, or if by ordinary wear such items become unsafe, a report shall be made by the Chief Engineer immediately to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, or if at sea, immediately upon arrival at port.
§ 196.30-10   Notice required before repair.
(a) No repairs or alterations, except in an emergency, shall be made to any lifesaving or fire detecting or extinguishing equipment without advance notice to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection. When emergency repairs or alterations have been made, notice shall be given to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, as soon as practicable.
§ 196.30-20   Breaking of safety valve seal.
(a) If at any time it is necessary to break the seal on a safety valve for any purpose, the Chief Engineer shall advise the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, at the next port of call, giving the reason for breaking the seal and requesting that the valve be examined and adjusted by an inspector.
§ 196.33-1   When required.
On all vessels navigating in other than protected waters, where the distance between deckhouses is more than 46 meters (150 feet) a fixed means of facilitating communication between both ends of the vessel, such as a raised fore and aft bridge or side tunnels, must be provided. Previously approved arrangements may be retained so long as they are maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
§ 196.34-1   Application.
(a) Provisions of this subpart shall apply to all vessels.
§ 196.34-5   Approved types of work vests.
(a) Each buoyant work vest carried under the permissive authority of this section must be approved under—
(1) Subpart 160.053 of this chapter; or
(2) Subpart 160.077 of this chapter as a commercial hybrid PFD.
§ 196.34-10   Use.
(a) Approved buoyant work vests are considered to be items of safety apparel and may be carried aboard vessels to be worn by crew members when working near or over the water under favorable working conditions. They shall be used under the supervision and control of designated ship's officers. When carried, such vests shall not be accepted in lieu of any portion of the required number of approved life preservers and shall not be substituted for the approved life preservers required to be worn during drills and emergencies.
§ 196.34-15   Shipboard stowage.
(a) The approved buoyant work vests shall be stowed separately from the regular stowage of approved life preservers.
(b) The locations for the stowage of work vests shall be such as not to be easily confused with that for approved life preservers.
§ 196.34-20   Shipboard inspections.
(a) Each work vest shall be subject to examination by a marine inspector to determine its serviceability. If found to be satisfactory, it may be continued in service, but shall not be stamped by a marine inspector with a Coast Guard stamp. If a work vest is found not to be in a serviceable condition, then such work vest shall be removed from the vessel. If a work vest is beyond repair, it shall be destroyed or mutilated in the presence of a marine inspector so as to prevent its continued use as a work vest.
§ 196.34-25   Additional requirements for hybrid work vests.
(a) In addition to the other requirements in this subpart, commercial hybrid PFD's must be—
(1) Used, stowed, and maintained in accordance with the procedures set out in the manual required for these devices by § 160.077-29 of this chapter and any limitations(s) marked on them; and
(2) Of the same or similar design and have the same method of operation as each other hybrid PFD carried on board.
§ 196.35-1   Application.
(a) Except as specifically noted, the provisions of this subpart shall apply to all manned vessels.
§ 196.35-3   Logbooks and records.
(a) The master or person in charge of an oceanographic research vessel that is required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have an official logbook may maintain the logbook on form CG-706 or in the owner's format for an official logbook. Such logs must be kept available for a review for a period of 1 year after the date to which the records refer, or for the period of validity of the vessel's current certificate of inspection, whichever is longer. When the voyage is completed, the master or person in charge shall file the logbook with the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
(b) The master or person in charge of a vessel that is not required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have an official logbook, shall maintain, on aboard, an unofficial logbook or record in any form desired for the purposes of making entries therein as required by law or regulations in this subchapter. Such logs or records are not filed with the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, but must be kept available for review by a marine inspector for a period of 1 year after the date to which the records refer. Separate records of tests and inspections of fire fighting equipment must be maintained with the vessel's logs for the period of validity of the vessel's certificate of inspection.
§ 196.35-5   Actions required to be logged.
The actions and observations noted in this section shall be entered in the official logbook. This section contains no requirements which are not made in other portions of this subchapter, the items being merely grouped together for convenience.
(a) Onboard training, musters, and drills: held in accordance with subchapter W (Lifesaving Appliances and Arrangements) of this chapter.
(b) Steering gear, whistle, and means of communication. Prior to departure. See § 196.15-3.
(c) Drafts and load line marks. Prior to leaving port, ocean, coastwise, and Great Lakes service only. See § 196.15-5.
(d) Verification of vessel compliance with applicable stability requirements. After loading and prior to departure and at all other times necessary to assure the safety of the vessel. See § 196.15-7.
(e) Loading doors. Where applicable, every closing and any opening when not docked. See § 196.15-18.
(f) Emergency lighting and power systems. Weekly and semiannually. See § 196.15-30.
(g) Fuel oil data: Upon receipt of fuel oil on board. See § 196.15-55.
(h) Hatches and other openings. All openings and closings required by § 196.15-20.
(i) Magazines and magazine chests. Maximum and minimum temperatures as required by § 196.85-1(b).
(j) Portable vans, prior to departure. See § 195.11-25(e) of this subchapter.
(k) Weight handling gear, prior to departure. See § 189.35-13(b) of this subchapter.
§ 196.36-1   When required.
(a) All manned vessels shall have permanently exhibited for the guidance of the officer in charge of the vessel, general arrangement plans showing for each deck the various fire retardant bulkheads together with particulars of the fire-detecting, manual alarm and fire extinguishing systems, fire doors, means of ingress to the different compartments, the ventilating systems including the positions of the dampers, the location of the remote means of stopping the fans, and the identification of the fans serving each section.
§ 196.37-1   Application.
(a) The provisions of this subpart shall apply to all vessels.
§ 196.37-3   General.
(a) It is the intent of this subpart to provide such markings as are necessary for the guidance of the persons on board in case of an emergency. In any specific case, and particularly on small vessels, where it can be shown to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, that the prescribed markings are unnecessary for the guidance of the persons on board in case of emergency, such markings may be modified or omitted.
(b) In addition to English, notices, directional signs, etc., shall be printed in languages appropriate to the service of the vessel.
(c) Where in this subpart red letters are specified, letters of a contrasting color on a red background will be accepted.
§ 196.37-5   General alarm bell contact makers.
(a) Each general alarm contact maker must be marked in accordance with requirements in Subchapter J (Electrical Engineering Regulations) of this chapter.
See also § 113.25-20 of Subchapter J (Electrical Engineering) of this chapter.
§ 196.37-7   General alarm bells.
(a) All general alarm bells shall be identified by red lettering at least 1/2 inch high: “GENERAL ALARM—WHEN BELL RINGS GO TO YOUR STATION.”
§ 196.37-8   Carbon dioxide warning signs.
Each entrance to a space storing carbon dioxide cylinders, a space protected by carbon dioxide systems, or any space into which carbon dioxide might migrate must be conspicuously marked as follows:
(a) Spaces storing carbon dioxide—“CARBON DIOXIDE GAS CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. VENTILATE THE AREA BEFORE ENTERING. A HIGH CONCENTRATION CAN OCCUR IN THIS AREA AND CAN CAUSE SUFFOCATION.”.
(b) Spaces protected by carbon dioxide—“CARBON DIOXIDE GAS CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. WHEN ALARM OPERATES OR WINTERGREEN SCENT IS DETECTED, DO NOT ENTER UNTIL VENTILATED. LOCK OUT SYSTEM WHEN SERVICING.” The reference to wintergreen scent may be omitted for carbon dioxide systems not required to have odorizing units and not equipped with such units.
(c) Spaces into which carbon dioxide might migrate—“CARBON DIOXIDE GAS CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. DISCHARGE INTO NEARBY SPACE CAN COLLECT HERE. WHEN ALARM OPERATES OR WINTERGREEN SCENT IS DETECTED VACATE IMMEDIATELY.” The reference to wintergreen scent may be omitted for carbon dioxide systems not required to have odorizing units and not equipped with such units.
§ 196.37-9   Carbon dioxide and clean agent alarms.
Each extinguishing system using carbon dioxide or clean agent complying with 46 CFR subpart 95.16 must be conspicuously marked in an adjacent location: “WHEN ALARM SOUNDS VACATE AT ONCE. CARBON DIOXIDE OR CLEAN AGENT BEING RELEASED.”.
§ 196.37-10   Fire extinguishing system branch lines.
(a) The branch line valves of all fire extinguishing systems shall be plainly and permanently marked indicating the spaces served.
§ 196.37-13   Fire extinguishing system controls.
The control cabinets or spaces containing valves, manifolds, or controls for the various fire extinguishing systems must be marked in conspicuous red letters at least 2 inches high: “[CARBON DIOXIDE/CLEAN AGENT/FOAM—as appropriate] FIRE APPARATUS.”.
§ 196.37-15   Firehose stations.
(a) Each fire hydrant shall be identified in red letters and figures at least 2 inches high “FIRE STATION NO. 1”, “2”, “3”, etc. Where the hose is not stowed in the open or behind glass so as to be readily seen, this identification shall be so placed as to be readily seen from a distance.
§ 196.37-20   Self-contained breathing apparatus and gas masks.
(a) Lockers or spaces containing self-contained breathing apparatus shall be marked “SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS”.
§ 196.37-23   Hand portable fire extinguishers.
(a) Each hand portable fire extinguisher shall be marked with a number and the location where stowed shall be marked with a corresponding number at least 1/2 inch high. Where only one type and size of hand portable fire extinguisher is carried, the numbering may be omitted.
§ 196.37-25   Emergency lights.
(a) All emergency lights shall be marked with a letter “E” at least 1/2 inch high.
§ 196.37-33   Instructions for changing steering gear.
(a) Instructions in at least 1/2 inch letters and figures shall be posted in the steering engineroom, relating in order, the different steps to be taken in changing to the emergency steering gear. Each clutch, gear, wheel, lever, valve, or switch which is used during the changeover shall be numbered or lettered on a metal plate or painted so that the markings can be recognized at a reasonable distance. The instructions shall indicate each clutch or pin to be “in” or “out” and each valve or switch which is to be “opened” or “closed” in shifting to any means of steering for which the vessel is equipped. Instructions shall be included to line up all steering wheels and rudder amidship before changing gears.
§ 196.37-35   Rudder orders.
(a) At all steering stations, there shall be installed a suitable notice on the wheel or device or in such other position as to be directly in the helmsman's line of vision, to indicate the direction in which the wheel or device must be turned for “right rudder” and for “left rudder”.
§ 196.37-37   Markings for lifesaving appliances, instructions to passengers, and stowage locations.
Lifesaving appliances, instructions to passengers, and stowage locations must be marked in accordance with subchapter W (Lifesaving Appliances and Arrangements) of this chapter.
§ 196.37-47   Portable magazine chests.
(a) Portable magazine chests shall be marked in letters at least 3 inches high:
§ 196.40-1   Application.
(a) The provisions of this subpart shall apply to all vessels except as specifically noted.
§ 196.40-5   Hull markings.
Vessels shall be marked as required by parts 67 and 69 of this chapter.
§ 196.40-10   Draft marks and draft indicating systems.
(a) All vessels must have draft marks plainly and legibly visible upon the stem and upon the sternpost or rudderpost or at any place at the stern of the vessel as may be necessary for easy observance. The bottom of each mark must indicate the draft.
(b) The draft must be taken from the bottom of the keel to the surface of the water at the location of the marks.
(c) In cases where the keel does not extend forward or aft to the location of the draft marks, due to raked stem, or cutaway skeg, the datum line from which the draft shall be taken shall be obtained by projecting the line of the bottom of keel forward, or aft, as the case may be, to the location of the draft marks.
(d) In cases where a vessel may have a skeg or other appendage extending locally below the line of the keel, the draft at the end of the vessel adjacent to such appendage shall be measured to a line tangent to the lowest part of such appendage and parallel to the line of the bottom of the keel.
(e) Draft marks must be separated so that the projections of the marks onto a vertical plane are of uniform height equal to the vertical spacing between consecutive marks.
(f) Draft marks must be painted in contrasting color to the hull.
(g) In cases where draft marks are obscured due to operational constraints or by protrusions, the vessel must be fitted with a reliable draft indicating system from which the bow and stern drafts can be determined.
§ 196.40-15   Load line marks.
(a) Vessels assigned a load line shall have the deck line and the load line marks permanently marked or embossed as required by Subchapter E (Load Lines) of this chapter.
§ 196.43-1   Application.
The provisions of this subpart apply to all vessels on an international voyage, and all other vessels of 150 gross tons or over in ocean, coastwise, or Great Lakes service.
§ 196.43-5   Availability.
On all vessels to which this subpart applies there must be readily available to the deck officer of the watch a placard containing instructions for the use of the lifesaving signals set forth in regulation 16, chapter V, of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974. These signals must be used by vessels or persons in distress when communicating with lifesaving stations and maritime rescue units.
§ 196.45-1   Master and chief engineer responsible.
(a) It shall be the duty of the master and the engineer in charge of the boilers of any vessel to require that a steam pressure is not carried in excess of that allowed by the certificate of inspection and to require that the safety valves, once set and sealed by the inspector, are in no way tampered with or made inoperative except as provided in § 196.30-20.
§ 196.50-1   Master or person in charge responsible.
(a) It shall be the duty of the master or other person in charge of the vessel to see that all of the provisions of the certificate of inspection are strictly adhered to. Nothing in this subpart shall be construed as limiting the master or other person in charge of the vessel, at his own responsibility, from diverting from the route prescribed in the certificate of inspection or taking such other steps as he deems necessary and prudent to assist vessels in distress or for other similar emergencies.
§ 196.53-1   Officers.
All officers on a vessel must have their licenses or officer endorsements conspicuously displayed.
§ 196.80-1   Master's responsibility.
(a) It shall be the responsibility of the master to have prepared, signed, and prominently posted in conspicuous locations, operating procedures, plans, and safety precautions for all operations involving the use of explosives.
(b) The operating procedures referred to in paragraph (a) of this section shall include and set forth the special duties and stations of appropriate qualified persons for various operations involving the use of explosives. Assignment of such persons shall be commensurate with their experience and training.
(c) A copy of the operating procedures, plans and safety precautions required by paragraph (a) of this section and all subsequent changes or revisions shall be forwarded to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, issuing the certificate of inspection for review.
§ 196.85-1   Magazine operation and control.
(a) Keys to magazine spaces and magazine chests shall be kept in the sole control or custody of the Master or one delegated qualified person at all times. Test fittings for magazine sprinkler systems shall be kept in a locked cabinet under the custody of the Master.
(b) Whenever explosives are stored in magazines and magazine chests they shall be inspected daily. Magazine inspection results and corrective action, when taken, shall be noted in the ship's log daily. Maximum and minimum temperatures for the previous 24-hour period shall be recorded in the ship's log along with general magazine condition and corrective action taken when necessary.
(c) The magazine sprinkler controls shall be tested monthly. Test results and all corrective actions taken shall be recorded in the ship's log.
(d) The Master shall limit access to the magazines, or the contents thereof, to persons who can document 3 months on board ship training in the use of explosives. This shall not be construed as prohibiting access to the Master or others designated by the Master.
§ 196.95-1   Pilot boarding operations.
(a) The master shall ensure that pilot boarding equipment is maintained as follows:
(1) The equipment must be kept clean and in good working order.
(2) Each damaged step or spreader step on a pilot ladder must be replaced in kind with an approved replacement step or spreader step, prior to further use of the ladder. The replacement step or spreader step must be secured by the method used in the original construction of the ladder, and in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
(b) The master shall ensure compliance with the following during pilot boarding operations:
(1) Only approved pilot boarding equipment may be used.
(2) The pilot boarding equipment must rest firmly against the hull of the vessel and be clear of overboard discharges.
(3) Two man ropes, a safety line and an approved lifebuoy with an approved water light must be at the point of access and be immediately available for use during boarding operations.
(4) Rigging of the equipment and embarkation/debarkation of a pilot must be supervised in person by a deck officer.
(5) Both the equipment over the side and the point of access must be adequately lit during the night operations.
(6) If a pilot hoist is used, a pilot ladder must be kept on deck adjacent to the hoist and available for immediate use.