[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 1]
[Revised as of Octobery 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR31.10-24]

[Page 408-409]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 31_INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION--Table of Contents
 
                        Subpart 31.10_Inspections
 
Sec. 31.10-24  Integral fuel oil tank examinations--T/ALL.

    (a) Each fuel oil tank with at least one side integral to the 
vessel's hull and located within the hull (integral fuel oil tank) is 
subject to inspection as provided in this section. The owner or operator 
of the vessel shall have the tanks cleaned out and gas freed as 
necessary to permit internal examination of the tank or tanks designated 
by the marine inspector. The owner or operator shall arrange for an 
examination of the fuel tanks of each vessel during an internal 
structural examination at intervals not to exceed five years.
    (b) Integral non-double-bottom fuel oil tanks need not be cleaned 
out and internally examined if the marine inspector is able to determine 
by external examination that the general condition of the tanks is 
satisfactory.
    (c) Double-bottom fuel oil tanks on vessels less than 10 years of 
age need not be cleaned out and internally examined if the marine 
inspector is able to determine by external examination

[[Page 409]]

that the general condition of the tanks is satisfactory.
    (d) All double-bottom fuel oil tanks on vessels 10 years of age or 
older but less than 15 years of age need not be cleaned out and 
internally examined if the marine inspector is able to determine by 
internal examination of at least one forward double-bottom fuel oil 
tank, and by external examination of all other double-bottom fuel oil 
tanks on the vessel, that the general condition of the tanks is 
satisfactory.
    (e) All double-bottom fuel oil tanks on vessels 15 years of age or 
older but less than 25 years of age need not be cleaned out and 
internally examined if the marine inspector is able to determine by 
internal examination of at least one forward, one amidships, and one aft 
double-bottom fuel oil tank, and by external examination of all other 
double-bottom fuel oil tanks on the vessel, that the general condition 
of the tanks is satisfactory.
    (f) All double-bottom fuel oil tanks on vessels 25 years of age or 
older need not be cleaned out and internally examined if the marine 
inspector is able to determine by internal examination of at least one 
double-bottom fuel oil tank in way of each cargo tank, and by external 
examination of all other double-bottom fuel oil tanks, that the general 
condition of the tanks is satisfactory.

[CGD 84-024, 52 FR 39651, Oct. 23, 1987, as amended at 53 FR 32230, Aug. 
24, 1988]