[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR27.209]

[Page 326-327]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 27_TOWING VESSELS--Table of Contents
 
          Subpart B_Fire-Protection Measures for Towing Vessels
 
Sec. 27.209  What are the requirements for training crews to respond 

to fires?

    (a) Drills and instruction. The master or person in charge of a 
vessel must ensure that each crewmember participates in drills and 
receives instruction at least once each month. The instruction may 
coincide with the drills, but need not. You must ensure that all 
crewmembers are familiar with their fire-fighting duties, and, 
specifically, with the following contingencies:
    (1) Fighting a fire in the engine room and elsewhere on board the 
vessel, including how to--
    (i) Operate all of the fire-extinguishing equipment on board the 
vessel;
    (ii) Stop any mechanical ventilation system for the engine room and 
effectively seal all natural openings to the space to prevent leakage of 
the extinguishing agent; and
    (iii) Operate the fuel shut-off for the engine room.
    (2) Activating the general alarm.
    (3) Reporting inoperative alarm systems and fire-detection systems.
    (4) Putting on a fireman's outfit and a self-contained breathing 
apparatus, if the vessel is so equipped.
    (b) Alternative form of instruction. The master or person in charge 
of a vessel may substitute, for the instruction required in paragraph 
(a) of this section, the viewing of video training materials concerning 
at least the contingencies listed in paragraph (a), followed by a 
discussion led by someone familiar with these contingencies. This 
instruction may occur either on board or off the vessel.
    (c) Participation in drills. Drills must take place on board the 
vessel, as if there were an actual emergency. They must include--
    (1) Participation by all crewmembers;
    (2) Breaking out and using, or simulating the use of, emergency 
equipment;
    (3) Testing of all alarm and detection systems; and
    (4) Putting on protective clothing (by at least one person), if the 
vessel is so equipped.
    (d) Safety orientation. The master or person in charge of a vessel 
must ensure that each crewmember who has not (i) participated in the 
drills required by paragraph (a) of this section, and (ii) received the 
instruction required by that paragraph, receives a safety orientation 
within 24 hours of reporting for duty.

[[Page 327]]

    (e) The safety orientation must cover the particular contingencies 
listed in paragraph (a) of this section.