[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 7]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR169.236]

[Page 43-44]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 169--SAILING SCHOOL VESSELS--Table of Contents
 
              Subpart 169.200--Inspection and Certification
 
Sec. 169.236  Inspection and testing required.

    (a) The provisions of NFPA 306, ``Control of Gas Hazards on 
Vessels,'' are used as a guide in conducting the inspections and issuing 
certificates required by this section.
    (b) Until an inspection has been made to determine that the 
operations can be undertaken safely, no alterations, repairs, or other 
operations involving riveting, welding, burning, or other fire-producing 
actions may be made--
    (1) Within or on the boundaries of fuel tanks; or
    (2) To pipelines, heating coils, pumps, fittings, or other 
appurtenances connected to fuel tanks.
    (c) Inspections must be conducted as follows:
    (1) In ports or places in the United States or its territories and 
possessions, the inspection must be made by a marine chemist 
certificated by the

[[Page 44]]

National Fire Protection Association; however, if the services of such 
certified marine chemist are not reasonably available, the Officer in 
Charge, Marine Inspection, upon the recommendation of the vessel owner 
and his contractor on their representative, may authorize a person to 
inspect the particular vessel. If the inspection indicates that the 
operations can be undertaken with safety, a certificate setting forth 
this fact in writing must be issued by the certified marine chemist or 
the authorized person before the work is started. The certificate must 
include any requirements necessary to reasonably maintain safe 
conditions in the spaces certified throughout the operation, including 
any precautions necessary to eliminate or minimize hazards that may be 
present from protective coatings or residues from cargoes.
    (2) When not in a port or place in the United States or its 
territories and possessions, and when a marine chemist or a person 
authorized by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, is not 
reasonably available, the senior officer present shall conduct the 
inspection and enter the results of the inspection in the vessel's 
logbook.
    (d) It is the responsibility of the senior officer present to secure 
copies of certificates issued by the certified marine chemist or a 
person authorized by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection. It is the 
responsibility of the senior officer present, insofar as the persons 
under his control are concerned, to maintain a safe condition on the 
vesssel by full observance of all requirements listed by the marine 
chemist in the certificate.

                               Inspections