[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: 46CFR176.625]

[Page 214-215]
 
                           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. 176.625  Eligibility requirements for the Alternative Hull Examination 
(AHE) Program for certain passenger vessels.

    (a) Your vessel may be eligible for the AHE Program if--
    (1) It is constructed of steel or aluminum;
    (2) It has an effective hull protection system;
    (3) It has operated exclusively in fresh water since its last 
drydock examination;
    (4) It operates in rivers or protected lakes; and
    (5) It operates exclusively in shallow water or within 0.5 nautical 
miles from shore.
    (b) In addition to the requirements in paragraph (a), the Officer in 
Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) will evaluate the following information 
when determining your vessel's eligibility for the AHE Program:
    (1) The overall condition of the vessel, based on its inspection 
history.
    (2) The vessel's history of hull casualties and hull-related 
deficiencies.

[[Page 215]]

    (3) The AHE Program application, as described in Sec. 176.630 of 
this part.
    (c) When reviewing a vessel's eligibility for the AHE program, the 
OCMI may modify the standards given by paragraph (a)(5) of this section 
where it is considered safe and reasonable to do so. In making this 
determination, the OCMI will consider the vessel's overall condition, 
its history of safe operation, and any other factors that serve to 
mitigate overall safety risks.

[USCG-2000-6858, 67 FR 21085, Apr. 29, 2002]