[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: 46CFR181.115]

[Page 259]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 181--FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart A--General Provisions
 
Sec. 181.115  Applicability to existing vessels.


    (a) Except as otherwise required by paragraphs (b) and (c) of this 
section, an existing vessel must comply with the fire protection 
equipment regulations applicable to the vessel on March 10, 1996, or, as 
an alternative, the vessel may comply with the regulations in this part.
    (b) An existing vessel with a hull, or a machinery space boundary 
bulkhead or deck, composed of wood or fiber reinforced plastic, or 
sheathed on the interior in fiber reinforced plastic, must comply with 
the requirements of Sec. 181.400 of this part on or before March 11, 
1999.
    (c) New installations of fire protection equipment on an existing 
vessel, which are completed to the satisfaction of the cognizant Officer 
in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) on or after March 11, 1996, must 
comply with the regulations of this part. Replacement of existing 
equipment installed on the vessel prior to March 11, 1996, need not 
comply with the regulations in this part.