(a) Sections 171.111, 171.112, and 171.113 apply to each vessel of 100 gross tons or more.

(b) Section 171.114 applies to each vessel under 100 gross tons.

[CGD 79-023, 48 FR 51017, Nov. 4, 1983, as amended by CGD 85-080, 61 FR 945, Jan. 10, 1996; 62 FR 51353, Sept. 30, 1997]

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, each opening in a watertight bulkhead must have a means to close it watertight.

(b) Except in a machinery space, the means for closing each opening may not be by bolted portable plates.

(c) If a main transverse watertight bulkhead is penetrated, the penetration must be made watertight. Lead or other heat sensitive materials must not be used in a system that penetrates a main transverse watertight bulkhead if fire damage to this system would reduce the watertight integrity of the bulkhead.

(d) A main transverse watertight bulkhead must not be penetrated by valves or cocks unless they are a part of a piping system.

(e) If a pipe, scupper, or electric cable passes through a main transverse watertight bulkhead, the opening through which it passes must be watertight.

(f) A main transverse watertight bulkhead may not have non-watertight penetrations below the bulkhead deck unless—

(1) The margin line is more than 9 inches (23 centimeters) below the bulkhead deck at the intersection of the margin line and the line formed by the intersection of the plane of the main transverse watertight bulkhead and the shell; and

(2) Making all penetrations watertight is impracticable.

(g) Penetrations approved in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section must comply with the following:

(1) The bottom of the penetration must not be located—

(i) More than 24 inches (61 centimeters) below the bulkhead deck; nor

(ii) Less than 9 inches (23 centimeters) above the margin line.

(2) The penetration must not be located outboard from the centerline more than 1/4 of the beam of the vessel measured—

(i) On the bulkhead deck; and

(ii) In the vertical plane of the penetration.

(h) No doors, manholes, or other access openings may be located in a watertight bulkhead that separates two cargo spaces or a cargo space and a permanent or reserve bunker.

(a) The opening for a watertight door must be located as high in the bulkhead and as far inboard as practicable.

(b) No more than one door, other than a door to a bunker or shaft alley, may be fitted in a main transverse watertight bulkhead within spaces containing the following:

(1) Main and auxiliary propulsion machinery.

(2) Propulsion boilers.

(3) Permanent bunkers.

(a) For the purpose of this section, “trunk” means a large enclosed passageway through any deck or bulkhead of a vessel.

(b) Each trunk, other than those specified in paragraph (c) of this section, must have a watertight door at each end except that a trunk may have a watertight door at one end if—

(1) The trunk does not pass through more than one main compartment;

(2) The sides of the trunk are not nearer to the shell than is permitted by § 171.067(c) for the sides of a recess in a bulkhead; and

(3) The vessel complies with the subdivision requirements in this part when the volume of the trunk is included with the volume of the compartment into which it opens.

(c) Each trunk that provides access from a crew accommodation space and that passes through a main transverse watertight bulkhead must comply with the following:

(1) The trunk must be watertight.

(2) The trunk, if used for passage at sea, must have at least one end above the margin line and access to the other end of the trunk must be through a watertight door.

(3) The trunk must not pass through the first main transverse watertight bulkhead aft of the collision bulkhead.

(a) Penetrations and openings in watertight bulkheads must—

(1) Be kept as high and as far inboard as practicable; and

(2) Have means to make them watertight.

(b) Watertight bulkheads must not have sluice valves.

(c) Each main traverse watertight bulkhead must extend to the bulkhead deck.

[CGD 85-080, 62 FR 51353, Sept. 30, 1997]