[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: 46CFR179.350]

[Page 248]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 179_SUBDIVISION, DAMAGE STABILITY, AND WATERTIGHT INTEGRITY--Table 
of Contents
 
               Subpart C_Watertight Integrity Requirements
 
Sec. 179.350  Openings in the side of a vessel below the bulkhead or 
weather deck.

    (a) On a vessel operating on exposed or partially protected waters, 
an opening port light is not permitted below the weather deck unless the 
sill of the port light is at least 760 millimeters (30 inches) above the 
deepest load waterline.
    (b) A port light must have an inside, hinged dead cover regardless 
of whether the port light is or is not capable of being opened.
    (c) Except for engine exhausts, each inlet or discharge pipe that 
penetrates the hull below a line drawn parallel to and at least 150 
millimeters (6 inches) above the deepest load waterline must have means 
to prevent water from entering the vessel if the pipe fractures or 
otherwise fails.
    (d) A positive action valve or cock that is located as close as 
possible to the hull is an acceptable means for complying with paragraph 
(c) of this section.
    (e) If an inlet or discharge pipe is inaccessible, the means for 
complying with paragraph (c) of this section must be a shut-off valve 
that is:
    (1) Operable from the weather deck or any other accessible location 
above the bulkhead deck; and
    (2) Labeled at the operating point for identity and direction of 
closing.
    (f) Any connecting device or valve in a hull penetration must not be 
cast iron.
    (g) Each plug cock in an inlet or discharge pipe must have a means, 
other than a cotter pin, to prevent its loosening or removal from the 
body.