[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR45.117]

[Page 82-83]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 45_GREAT LAKES LOAD LINES--Table of Contents
 
                   Subpart D_Conditions of Assignment
 
Sec. 45.117  Freeing port area: General.

    (a) Where bulwarks on the weather portins of freeboard or 
superstructure decks form wells, the bulwarks must have the area 
prescribed in this section and Sec. Sec. 45.119 and 45.121 for rapidly 
freeing and draining the decks of water.
    (b) Except as required in Sec. Sec. 45.119 and 45.121 the minimum 
freeing port area in square feet on each side of the ship for

[[Page 83]]

each well on the freeboard deck and on the raised quarterdeck must be at 
least as great as A in the following formulas:
    (1) Where the length of bulwark (l) in the well is 66 feet or less, 
A=7.6+0.115 (l)
    (2) Where (l) exceeds 66 feet, A=0.23 (l)

but (l) need in no case be taken as greater than 0.7L.
    (c) In ships having erections on deck that are open at either or 
both ends, provision for freeing the space within such erections must be 
approved by the Commandant or the assigning authority.
    (d) The lower edges of the freeing ports must be as near the deck as 
practicable. Two-thirds of the freeing port area required must be 
provided in the half of the well nearest the lowest point of the sheer 
curve.
    (e) All freeing port openings in the bulwarks must be protected by 
rails or bars spaced approximately 9 inches. If shutters are fitted to 
freeing ports, ample clearance must be provided to prevent jamming. 
Hinges must have pins or bearings of noncorrodible material. If shutters 
are fitted with securing appliances, these appliances must be of 
approved construction.
    (f) The minimum freeing port area for each well on superstructure 
decks must be one-half of the area required by paragraph (b) of this 
section.