[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: 46CFR177.900]

[Page 232-233]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 177--CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT--Table of Contents
 
                       Subpart I--Rails and Guards
 
Sec. 177.900  Deck rails.


    (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, rails or 
equivalent protection must be installed near the periphery of all decks 
of a vessel accessible to passengers or crew. Equivalent protection may 
include lifelines, wire rope, chains, and bulwarks, which provide 
strength and support equivalent to fixed rails. Deck rails must include 
a top rail with the minimum height required by this section, and lower 
courses or equivalent protection as required by this section.
    (b) Deck rails must be designed and constructed to withstand a point 
load of 91 kilograms (200 pounds) applied at any point in any direction, 
and a uniform load of 74 kilograms per meter (50 pounds per foot) 
applied to the top rail

[[Page 233]]

in any direction. The point and uniform loads do not need to be applied 
simultaneously.
    (c) Where space limitations make deck rails impractical for areas 
designed for crew use only, such as at narrow catwalks in way of 
deckhouse sides, hand grabs may be substituted.
    (d) The height of top rails required by paragraph (a) of this 
section must be as follows:
    (1) Rails on passenger decks of a ferry or a vessel engaged in 
excursion trips, including but not limited to sightseeing trips, dinner 
and party cruises, and overnight cruises, must be at least 1,000 
millimeters (39.5 inches) high.
    (2) Rails on a vessel subject to the 1966 International Convention 
on Load Lines must be at least 1,000 millimeters (39.5 inches) high.
    (3) All other rails must be at least 910 millimeters (36 inches) 
high.
    (4) While engaged in big game angling, the minimum rail height may 
be reduced to not less than 760 millimeters (30 inches) in way of a 
person using specialized angling techniques or equipment, such as when 
using a pedestal mounted fixed fighting chair on a low freeboard vessel, 
if it can be shown that a higher rail would interfere with the fishing 
operation and the lower rail would not significantly reduce safety. A 
rail complying with the requirements of paragraphs (d)(1), (2), or (3) 
of this section as applicable must be installed when big game angling is 
not being conducted.
    (e) Where the principal business of the vessel requires the 
discharge of persons or cargo in a seaway, such as on pilot boats and 
dive boats, the cognizant OCMI may accept alternatives to the rails 
required in paragraphs (d)(1), (2), and (3) of this section for those 
areas of a deck where passengers or cargo are discharged and for which 
removable rails, lifelines, or chains would hinder discharge operations.
    (f) A sailing vessel, an open boat, or any other vessel not 
specifically covered elsewhere in this section, must have rails of a 
minimum height or equivalent protection as considered necessary by the 
cognizant OCMI, based on the vessel's operation, route, and seating 
arrangement.
    (g) Rail courses or the equivalent must be installed between a top 
rail required by paragraph (a) of this section, and the deck so that no 
open space exists that is more than 305 millimeters (12 inches) high 
except:
    (1) On passenger decks of a ferry or of a vessel on an excursion 
trip the following must be installed:
    (i) Bulwarks;
    (ii) Chain link fencing or wire mesh that has openings of not more 
than 4 inches in diameter; or
    (iii) Bars, slats, rail courses, or an equivalent spaced at 
intervals of not more than 100 millimeters (4 inches).
    (2) On a vessel subject to the 1966 International Convention on Load 
Lines, rail courses, or an equivalent, must be installed so that there 
is not an open space higher than 230 millimeters (9 inches) from the 
deck to the first rail course or equivalent.
    (h) Rails must be permanently installed except that the following 
rails may be removable;
    (1) Rails in way of embarkation stations and boarding locations;
    (2) Rails over 760 millimeters (30 inches) high in way of fishing 
seats addressed by paragraph (d)(4) of this section; and
    (3) Rails on a vessel when the service of the vessel is routinely 
changed, as determined by the cognizant OCMI, and the required top rail 
height varies depending on the service of the vessel at a particular 
time.