[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: 46CFR189.43-1]

[Page 354]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 189--INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION--Table of Contents
 
           Subpart 189.43--Integral Fuel Oil Tank Examinations
 
Sec. 189.43-1  When required.


    (a) Each fuel oil tank with at least one side integral to the 
vessel's hull and located within the hull (``integral fuel oil tank'') 
is subject to inspection as provided in this section. The owner or 
operator of the vessel shall have the tanks cleaned out and gas freed as 
necessary to permit internal examination of the tank or tanks designated 
by the marine inspector. The owner or operator shall arrange for an 
examination of the fuel tanks of each vessel during an internal 
structural examination at intervals not to exceed five years.
    (b) Integral non-double-bottom fuel oil tanks need not be cleaned 
out and internally examined if the marine inspector is able to determine 
by external examination that the general condition of the tanks is 
satisfactory.
    (c) Double-bottom fuel oil tanks on vessels less than 10 years of 
age need not be cleaned out and internally examined if the marine 
inspector is able to determine by external examination that the general 
condition of the tanks is satisfactory.
    (d) All double-bottom fuel oil tanks on vessels 10 years of age or 
older but less than 15 years of age need not be cleaned out and 
internally examined if the marine inspector is able to determine by 
internal examination of at least one forward double-bottom fuel oil 
tank, and by external examination of all other double-bottom fuel oil 
tanks on the vessel, that the general condition of the tanks is 
satisfactory.
    (e) All double-bottom fuel oil tanks on vessels 15 years of age or 
older need not be cleaned out and internally examined if the marine 
inspector is able to determine by internal examination of at least one 
forward, one amidships, and one aft double-bottom fuel oil tank, and by 
external examination of all other double-bottom fuel oil tanks on the 
vessel, that the general condition of the tanks is satisfactory.

[CGD 84-024, 52 FR 39657, Oct. 23, 1987, as amended at 53 FR 32232, Aug. 
24, 1988]