[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: 46CFR190.25-5]

[Page 368]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 190--CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT--Table of Contents
 
                    Subpart 190.25--Rails and Guards
 
Sec. 190.25-5  Where rails required.

    (a) All vessels shall have efficient guard rails or bulwarks on 
decks and bridges. The height of rails or bulwarks shall be at least 
39\1/2\ inches from the deck. At exposed peripheries of the freeboard 
and superstructure decks, the rails shall be in at least three courses, 
including the top. The opening below the lowest course shall not be more 
than 9 inches. The courses shall not be more than 15 inches apart. In 
the case of ships with rounded gunwales the guard rail supports shall be 
placed in the flat of the deck. On other decks and bridges the rails 
shall be in at least two courses, including the top, approximately 
evenly spaced. If it can be shown to the satisfaction of the Officer in 
Charge, Marine Inspection, that the installation of rails of such height 
will be unreasonable and impracticable, having regard to the business of 
the vessel, rails of a lesser height or in some cases grab rails may be 
accepted and inboard rails may be eliminated if the deck is not 
generally accessible.
    (b) Where it can be shown to the satisfaction of the Commandant that 
a vessel is engaged exclusively in voyages of a sheltered nature, the 
provisions of paragraph (a) of this section may be relaxed.

[CGFR 69-72, 34 FR 17503, Oct. 29, 1969]