[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: 46CFR171.116]

[Page 140-141]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 171--SPECIAL RULES PERTAINING TO VESSELS CARRYING PASSENGERS--Table of Contents
 
   Subpart F--Openings in the Side of a Vessel Below the Bulkhead or 
                              Weather Deck
 
Sec. 171.116  Port lights.

    (a) A vessel may have port lights below the bulkhead deck if--
    (1) It is greater than 150 gross tons; and
    (2) It is in ocean service.
    (b) All port lights in a space must be non-opening if the sill of 
any port light in that space is below a line that--
    (1) Is drawn parallel to the line formed by the intersection of the 
bulkhead deck and the shell of the vessel; and
    (2) Has its lowest point 2\1/2\ percent of the beam of the vessel 
above the deepest subdivision load line.
    (c) For the purpose of paragraph (b) of this section, the beam of 
the vessel is measured at or below the deepest subdivision load line.
    (d) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, no port 
light may be located in a space that is used exclusively for the 
carriage of cargo, stores, or coal.
    (e) A port light may be located in a space used alternately for the 
carriage of cargo or passengers.
    (f) Each port light installed below the bulkhead deck must conform 
to the following requirements:
    (1) The design of each port light must be approved by the Commanding 
Officer, Marine Safety Center.
    (2) Each non-opening port light must be watertight.
    (3) Each opening port light must be constructed so that it can be 
secured watertight.

[[Page 141]]

    (4) Each opening port light must be installed with at least one bolt 
that is secured by a round slotted or recessed nut that requires a 
special wrench to remove. The nut must be protected by a sleeve or guard 
to prevent it from being removed with ordinary tools.

[CGD 79-023, 48 FR 51017, Nov. 4, 1983, as amended by CGD 88-070, 53 FR 
34537, Sept. 7, 1988]