[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 7]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR169.236]

[Page 43-44]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 169_SAILING SCHOOL VESSELS--Table of Contents
 
              Subpart 169.200_Inspection and Certification
 
Sec. 169.236  Inspection and testing required.

    (a) The provisions of NFPA 306, ``Control of Gas Hazards on 
Vessels,'' are used as a guide in conducting the inspections and issuing 
certificates required by this section.

[[Page 44]]

    (b) Until an inspection has been made to determine that the 
operations can be undertaken safely, no alterations, repairs, or other 
operations involving riveting, welding, burning, or other fire-producing 
actions may be made--
    (1) Within or on the boundaries of fuel tanks; or
    (2) To pipelines, heating coils, pumps, fittings, or other 
appurtenances connected to fuel tanks.
    (c) Inspections must be conducted as follows:
    (1) In ports or places in the United States or its territories and 
possessions, the inspection must be made by a marine chemist 
certificated by the National Fire Protection Association; however, if 
the services of such certified marine chemist are not reasonably 
available, the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, upon the 
recommendation of the vessel owner and his contractor on their 
representative, may authorize a person to inspect the particular vessel. 
If the inspection indicates that the operations can be undertaken with 
safety, a certificate setting forth this fact in writing must be issued 
by the certified marine chemist or the authorized person before the work 
is started. The certificate must include any requirements necessary to 
reasonably maintain safe conditions in the spaces certified throughout 
the operation, including any precautions necessary to eliminate or 
minimize hazards that may be present from protective coatings or 
residues from cargoes.
    (2) When not in a port or place in the United States or its 
territories and possessions, and when a marine chemist or a person 
authorized by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, is not 
reasonably available, the senior officer present shall conduct the 
inspection and enter the results of the inspection in the vessel's 
logbook.
    (d) It is the responsibility of the senior officer present to secure 
copies of certificates issued by the certified marine chemist or a 
person authorized by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection. It is the 
responsibility of the senior officer present, insofar as the persons 
under his control are concerned, to maintain a safe condition on the 
vesssel by full observance of all requirements listed by the marine 
chemist in the certificate.

                               Inspections