[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: 46CFR172.050]

[Page 146-147]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 172--SPECIAL RULES PERTAINING TO BULK CARGOES--Table of Contents
 
  Subpart C--Special Rules Pertaining to a Barge That Carries a Cargo 
              Regulated Under Subchapter D of This Chapter
 
Sec. 172.050  Damage stability.

    (a) Each tank barge is assigned a hull type number by the Commandant 
in accordance with Sec. 32.63-5 of this chapter. The requirements in 
this section are specified according to the hull type number assigned.
    (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, each Type I 
and II barge hull must have a watertight weather deck.
    (c) If a Type I or II barge hull has an open hopper, the fully 
loaded barge must be shown by design calculations to have at least 2 
inches (50mm) of positive GM when the hopper space is flooded to the 
height of the weather deck.
    (d) When demonstrating compliance with paragraph (c) of this 
section, credit may be given for the buoyancy of the immersed portion of 
cargo tanks if the tank securing devices are shown by design 
calculations to be strong enough

[[Page 147]]

to hold the tanks in place when they are subjected to the buoyant forces 
resulting from the water in the hopper.
    (e) Each tank barge must be shown by design calculations to have at 
least 2 inches (50 mm) of positive GM in each condition of loading and 
operation after assuming the damage specified in paragraph (f) of this 
section is applied in the following locations:
    (1) Type I barge hull not in an integrated tow. If a Type I hull is 
required and the barge is not a box barge designed for use in an 
integrated tow, design calculations must show that the barge hull can 
survive damage at any location including on the intersection of a 
transverse and longitudinal watertight bulkhead.
    (2) Type I barge hull in an integrated tow. If a Type I hull is 
required and the barge is a box barge designed for operation in an 
integrated tow, design calculations must show that the barge can survive 
damage--
    (i) To any location on the bottom of the tank barge except on a 
transverse watertight bulkhead; and
    (ii) To any location on the side of the tank barge including on a 
transverse watertight bulkhead.
    (3) Type II hull. If a Type II hull is required, design calculations 
must show that the barge can survive damage to any location except to a 
transverse watertight bulkhead.
    (f) For the purpose of paragraph (e) of this section--
    (1) Design calculations must include both side and bottom damage, 
applied separately; and
    (2) Damage must consist of the most disabling penetration up to and 
including penetrations having the following dimensions:
    (i) Side damage must be assumed to be as follows:
    (A) Longitudinal extent--6 feet (183 centimeters).
    (B) Transverse extent--30 inches (76 centimeters).
    (C) Vertical extent--from the baseline upward without limit.
    (ii) Bottom damage must be assumed to be 15 inches (38.1 
centimeters) from the baseline upward.