[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: 46CFR31.10-21a]

[Page 415-416]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 31_INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION--Table of Contents
 
                        Subpart 31.10_Inspections
 
Sec. 31.10-21a  Periodic gauging of tank vessel midbodies more than 

30 years old that carry certain oil cargoes--TB/ALL.

    (a) As used in this section, the term ``midbody'' means the 40-
percent midship length (0.40L) of the tank vessel. The age of the 
midbody is determined from its year of original construction.
    (b) Midbodies of all tank vessels certificated to carry a pollution 
category I oil cargo listed in 46 CFR Table 30.25-1 must undergo an 
initial gauging survey and periodic regauging surveys as follows:
    (1) An initial midbody gauging survey must be accomplished no later 
than the next drydocking inspection after the midbody becomes 30 years 
old.

[[Page 416]]

    (2) Regaugings:
    (i) Midbodies of double hull tank vessels, or single hull tank 
vessels with independent tanks, that operated in fresh water at least 6 
months in every 12-month period since the last drydock examination must 
be regauged at intervals not exceeding 10 years;
    (ii) Midbodies of all other tank vessels must be regauged at 
intervals not exceeding 5 years.
    (c) The midbody gauging survey must be comprised of at least three 
transverse (girth) belts of deck, bottom, side, inner hull, trunk, and 
longitudinal bulkhead plating and attached longitudinal members. The 
number and specific locations of the gauging points shall be to the 
satisfaction of the Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection (OCMI).
    (d) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, within 60 
days of the vessel's required compliance date the owner or operator 
shall submit the following to the OCMI that issued the vessel's current 
Certificate of Inspection:
    (1) The gauging survey results.
    (2) An engineering analysis signed by a registered Professional 
Engineer licensed by any state of the United States or the District of 
Columbia, or signed by a Coast Guard-approved organization, that--
    (i) Certifies the vessel's compliance with the minimum section 
modulus and plating thickness requirements of subpart 32.59 of this 
chapter; or
    (ii) Proposes structural repairs and/or modifications that will 
bring the vessel up to the required strength standards.
    (e) The vessel owner or operator shall keep a permanent copy of the 
Coast Guard-approved gauging report available for inspection by the 
OCMI.
    (f) Instead of the submittals required by paragraphs (c) and (d) of 
this section, current classification with the American Bureau of 
Shipping or another recognized classification society, or a load line 
certificate issued in accordance with the International Convention on 
Load Lines or the International Voyage Load Line Act, may be submitted 
as evidence of compliance with the requirements of this section.

[CGD 91-209, 58 FR 52602, Oct. 8, 1993]