[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: 46CFR176.402]

[Page 211]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 176_INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION--Table of Contents
 
                 Subpart D_Inspection for Certification
 
Sec. 176.402  Initial inspection for certification.

    (a) Before construction or conversion of a vessel intended for small 
passenger vessel service, the owner of the vessel shall submit plans, 
manuals, and calculations indicating the proposed arrangement, 
construction, and operations of the vessel, to the cognizant OCMI for 
approval, except when submitted to the Marine Safety Center (MSC) as 
allowed by part 177 of this subchapter. The plan, manuals, and 
calculations required to be submitted and the disposition of these plans 
are set forth in part 177, Subpart B of this chapter.
    (b) The initial inspection is conducted to determine that the vessel 
and its equipment comply with applicable regulations and that the vessel 
was built or converted in accordance with approved plans, manuals, and 
calculations. Additionally, during the inspection, the materials, 
workmanship, and condition of all parts of the vessel and its machinery 
and equipment may be checked to determine if the vessel is satisfactory 
in all respects for the service intended.
    (c) The owner or managing operator of a vessel shall ensure that the 
vessel complies with the laws and regulations applicable to the vessel 
and that the vessel is otherwise satisfactory for the intended service. 
The initial inspection may include an inspection of the following items:
    (1) The arrangement, installation, materials, and scantlings of the 
structure including the hull and superstructure, yards, masts, spars, 
rigging, sails, piping, main and auxiliary machinery, pressure vessels, 
steering apparatus, electrical installation, fire resistant construction 
materials, life saving appliances, fire detecting and extinguishing 
equipment, pollution prevention equipment, and all other equipment;
    (2) Sanitary conditions and fire hazards; and
    (3) Certificates and operating manuals, including certificates 
issued by the FCC.
    (d) During an initial inspection for certification the owner or 
managing operator shall conduct all tests and make the vessel available 
for all applicable inspections discussed in this paragraph, and in 
Subpart H of this part, to the satisfaction of the cognizant OCMI, 
including the following:
    (1) The installation of each rescue boat, liferaft, inflatable 
buoyant apparatus, and launching appliance as listed on its Certificate 
of Approval (Form CGHQ-10030).
    (2) The operation of each rescue boat and survival craft launching 
appliance required by part 180 of this chapter.
    (3) Machinery, fuel tanks, and pressure vessels as required by part 
182 of this chapter.
    (4) A stability test or a simplified stability test when required by 
Sec. 170.175 of this chapter or Sec. 178.320 of this chapter.
    (5) Watertight bulkheads as required by part 179 of this chapter.
    (6) Firefighting systems as required by part 181 of this chapter.
    (7) The operation of all smoke and fire detecting systems, and fire 
alarms and sensors.