[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: 46CFR8.230]

[Page 80-81]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 8_VESSEL INSPECTION ALTERNATIVES--Table of Contents
 
            Subpart B_Recognition of a Classification Society
 
Sec. 8.230  Minimum standards for a recognized classification society.

    (a) In order to receive recognition by the Coast Guard a 
classification society must:
    (1) Establish that it has functioned as an international 
classification society for at least 30 years with its own class rules;
    (2) Establish that is has a history of appropriate corrective 
actions in addressing vessel casualties and cases of nonconformity with 
class rules;
    (3) Establish that it has a history of appropriate changes to class 
rules based on their application and the overall performance of its 
classed fleet;
    (4) Have a total classed tonnage of at least 10 million gross tons;
    (5) Have a classed fleet of at least 1,500 ocean-going vessels over 
100 gross tons;
    (6) Have a total classed tonnage of ocean-going vessels over 100 
gross tons totaling no less than 8 million gross tons;
    (7) Publish and maintain class rules in the English language for the 
design, construction and certification of ships and their associated 
essential engineering systems;
    (8) Maintain written survey procedures in the English language;
    (9) Have adequate resources, including research, technical, and 
managerial staff, to ensure appropriate updating and maintaining of 
class rules and procedures;
    (10) Have adequate resources and geographical coverage to carry out 
all plan review and vessel survey activities associated with delegated 
functions as well as classification society requirements;
    (11) Employ a minimum of 150 exclusive surveyors;

[[Page 81]]

    (12) Have adequate criteria for hiring and qualifying surveyors and 
technical staff;
    (13) Have an adequate program for continued training of surveyors 
and technical staff;
    (14) Have a corporate office in the United States that provides a 
continuous management and administrative presence;
    (15) Maintain an internal quality system based on ANSI/ASQC Q9001 or 
an equivalent quality standard;
    (16) Determine classed vessels comply with class rules, during 
appropriate surveys and inspection;
    (17) Determine that attended vessels comply with all statutory 
requirements related to delegated functions, during appropriate surveys 
and inspection;
    (18) Monitor all activities related to delegated functions for 
consistency and required end-results;
    (19) Maintain and ensure compliance with a Code of Ethics that 
recognizes the inherent responsibility associated with delegation of 
authority;
    (20) Not be under the financial control of shipowners or 
shipbuilders, or of others engaged commercially in the manufacture, 
equipping, repair or operation of ships;
    (21) Not be financially dependent on a single commercial enterprise 
for its revenue;
    (22) Not have any business interest in, or share of ownership of, 
any vessel in its classed fleet; and
    (23) Not be involved in any activities which could result in a 
conflict of interest.
    (b) Recognition may be granted after it is established that the 
classification society has an acceptable record of vessel detentions 
attributed to classification society performance under the Coast Guard 
Port State Control Program.