[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: 46CFR196.15-60]

[Page 402-403]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 196--OPERATIONS--Table of Contents
 
              Subpart 196.15--Test, Drills, and Inspections
 
Sec. 196.15-60  Firefighting equipment, general.

    (a) It shall be the duty of the owner, master, or person in charge 
to see that the vessel's firefighting equipment is at all times ready 
for use and that all such equipment required by the regulations in this 
subchapter is provided, maintained, and replaced as indicated.
    (b) It shall be the duty of the owner, master, or person in charge 
to require and have performed at least once in every 12 months the tests 
and inspections of all hand portable fire extinguishers, semiportable 
fire extinguishing systems, and fixed fire extinguishing systems on 
board as described in Tables 189.25-20(a)(1) and 189.25-20(a)(2) in 
Sec. 189.25-20(a) of this subchapter. The owner, master, or person in 
charge shall keep records of such tests and inspections showing the 
dates when performed, the number and/or other identification of each 
unit tested and inspected, and the name(s) of the person(s) and/or 
company conducting the tests and inspections. Such records shall be made 
available to the marine inspector upon request and shall be kept for the 
period of validity of the

[[Page 403]]

vessel's current certificate of inspection. Where practicable these 
records should be kept in or with the vessel's logbook. The conduct of 
these tests and inspections does not relieve the owner, master, or 
person in charge of his responsibility to maintain this firefighting 
equipment in proper condition at all times.