[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: 46CFR176.600]

[Page 212-213]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 176_INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION--Table of Contents
 
                Subpart F_Hull and Tailshaft Examinations
 
Sec. 176.600  Drydock and internal structural examination intervals.


    (a) The owner or managing operator shall make a vessel available for 
drydock examinations, internal structural examinations, and underwater 
surveys (UWILD) required by this section.
    (b) If your vessel is operated on international voyages subject to 
SOLAS requirements, it must undergo a drydock examination once every 12 
months unless it has been approved to undergo an underwater survey 
(UWILD) per Sec. 176.615 of this part. If the vessel becomes due for a 
drydock examination or an internal structural examination during the 
voyage, it may lawfully complete the voyage prior to the examination if 
it undergoes the required examination upon completion of the voyage to 
the United States but not later than 30 days after the examination was 
due. If the vessel is due for an examination within 15 days of sailing 
on an international voyage from the United States port, it must undergo 
the required examination before sailing.
    (c) If your vessel is not operated on international voyages and does 
not meet the conditions in paragraph (d) of

[[Page 213]]

this section, it must undergo a drydock and internal structural 
examination as follows unless it has been approved to undergo an 
underwater survey (UWILD) per Sec. 176.615 of this part:
    (1) A vessel that is exposed to salt water more than three months in 
any 12 month period since the last examination must undergo a drydock 
examination and an internal structural at least once every two years; 
and
    (2) A vessel that is exposed to salt water not more than three 
months in any 12 month period since the last examination must undergo a 
drydock examination and an internal structural examination at least once 
every five years.
    (d) Whenever damage or deterioration to hull plating or structural 
members that may affect the seaworthiness of a vessel is discovered or 
suspected, the cognizant OCMI may conduct an internal structural 
examination in any affected space including fuel tanks, and may require 
the vessel to be drydocked or taken out of service to assess the extent 
of the damage, and to effect permanent repairs. The OCMI may also 
decrease the drydock examination intervals to monitor the vessel's 
structural condition.
    (e) For a vessel that is eligible per Sec. 115.625, and if the 
owner opts for an alternate hull examination with the underwater survey 
portion conducted exclusively by divers, the vessel must undergo two 
alternate hull exams and two internal structural exams within any five-
year period. If a vessel completes a satisfactory alternate hull exam, 
with the underwater survey portion conducted predominantly by an 
approved underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the vessel must 
undergo one alternate hull and one internal structural exam, within any 
five-year period. The vessel may undergo a drydock exam to satisfy any 
of the required alternate hull exams.

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 953, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51356, Sept. 
30, 1997; USCG-2000-6858, 67 FR 21084, Apr. 29, 2002]