Each commercial fishing industry vessel which has its keel laid or is at a similar stage of construction, or which undergoes a major conversion completed on or after September 15, 1991, and that operates with more than 16 individuals on board, must comply with the requirements of this subpart in addition to the requirements of subparts A, B, and C of this part.

Each vessel to which this subpart applies must meet the requirements for life preservers, immersion suits, ring life buoys, distress signals, and survival craft in §§ 28.110, 28.115, 28.145 and table 28.120 (a), (b), or (c), as appropriate for the vessel type, on the date that its construction or major conversion is completed.

A gate or other opening must be provided in the deck rails, lifelines, or bulwarks adjacent to the stowage location of each survival craft which weighs more than 110 pounds (489 Newtons), to allow the survival craft to be manually launched.

(a) Each vessel 36 feet (11.8 meters) or more in length must be equipped with a self-priming, power driven fire pump connected to a fixed piping system.

(1) A fire pump on a vessel 79 feet (24 meters) or more in length must be capable of delivering water simultaneously from the two highest hydrants, or from both branches of the fitting if the highest hydrant has a siamese fitting, at a pitot tube pressure of at least 50 psi (0.345 Newtons per square millimeter) and a flow rate of at least 80 gpm (303 liters per minute).

(2) Each vessel with a power driven fire pump must be equipped to permit energizing the fire main from the operating station and from the pump.

(b) Fire main, hydrants, hoses and nozzles. (1) A vessel required to have a fixed fire main system must have a sufficient number of fire hydrants to reach any part of the vessel using a single length of fire hose.

(2) A fire hose must be connected to each fire hydrant at all times the vessel is operating.

(3) A fire hose on a vessel less than 79 feet (24 meters) in length must be at least 5/8 inch (16 millimeters) nominal diameter, be of good commercial grade and be fitted with a nozzle of corrosion resistant material capable of providing a solid stream and a spray pattern.

(4) A fire hose on a vessel 79 feet (24 meters) or more in length must be lined commercial fire hose and be fitted with a nozzle made of corrosion resistant material capable of providing a solid stream and a spray pattern.

(a) Requirements for vessels 79 feet (24 meters) or more in length. A vessel 79 feet (24 meters) or more in length must be fitted with a fixed gas fire extinguishing system in the following enclosed spaces:

(1) A space containing an internal combustion engine of more than 50 horsepower;

(2) A space containing an oil fired boiler;

(3) An incinerator and;

(4) A space containing a gasoline storage tank.

(b) System types and alternatives. (1) A pre-engineered fixed gas fire extinguishing system may be installed only in a normally unoccupied machinery space, paint locker, or space containing flammable liquid stores that has a gross volume of not more than 33.98 cubic meters (1200 cubic feet).

(2) A fixed gas fire extinguishing system that is capable of automatic discharge upon heat detection may be installed only in a normally unoccupied space with a gross volume of not more than 169.92 cubic meters (6000 cubic feet).

(3) A space with a gross volume exceeding 169.92 cubic meters (6000 cubic feet) must be fitted with a manually actuated and alarmed fixed gas fire extinguishing system.

(c) General requirements. (1) A fixed gas fire extinguishing system aboard a vessel must be approved by the Commandant and be custom engineered, unless the system meets the requirements for a pre-engineered fixed gas fire extinguishing system in paragraph (d) of this section.

(2) System components must be listed and labeled by an independent, nationally recognized testing laboratory for the system being installed.

(3) System design and installation must be in accordance with the Manufacturer's Marine Design, Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Manual approved for the system by the Commandant.

(4) A fixed gas fire extinguishing system may protect more than one space. The quantity of extinguishing agent must be at least sufficient for the largest space protected by the system.

(d) Pre-engineered fixed gas fire extinguishing systems. (1) A pre-engineered fixed gas fire extinguishing system must:

(i) Be approved by the Commandant;

(ii) Be capable of manual actuation from outside the space in addition to any automatic actuation devices; and

(iii) Automatically shut down all power ventilation systems serving the protected space and all engines that draw intake air from within the protected space.

(2) A vessel on which a pre-engineered fixed gas fire extinguishing system is installed must have the following equipment at the operating station:

(i) A visual alarm to indicate the discharge of the extinguishing agent;

(ii) An audible alarm to sound upon discharge of the extinguishing agent; and

(iii) A means to reset devices used to automatically shut down ventilation systems and engines as required by paragraph (d)(1)(iii) of this section.

(a) Each accommodation space must be equipped with an independent modular smoke detector or a smoke actuated fire detecting unit installed in accordance with 46 CFR part 76.

(b) An independent modular smoke detector must meet UL 217 and be listed as a “Single Station Smoke Detector—Also suitable for use in Recreational Vehicles.”

(c) The regulations in this section have preemptive effect over State or local regulation within the same field.

(a) Each vessel must be fitted with a grease extraction hood complying with UL 710 above each grill, broiler, and deep fat fryer.

(b) Each grease extraction hood must be equipped with a pre-engineered dry or wet chemical fire extinguishing system meeting the applicable sections of NFPA 17 or 17A and must be listed by an independent laboratory.

(c) A vessel 79 feet (24 meters) or more in length must have at least one fire axe located in or adjacent to the operating station.

(a) Applicability. Except for the components of an outboard engine or portable bilge pump, each vessel must meet the requirements of this section.

(b) Portable fuel systems. Portable fuel systems including portable tanks and related fuel lines and accessories are prohibited except where used for outboard engines or portable bilge pumps. The design, construction, and stowage of portable tanks and related fuel lines and accessories must meet the requirements of ABYC H-25.

(c) Fuel restrictions. Except for outboard engines, the use of fuel other than bunker C or diesel is prohibited. An installation using bunker C must comply with the requirements of subchapter F of this chapter.

(d) Vent pipes for integral fuel tanks. Each integral fuel tank must meet the requirements of this paragraph.

(1) Each fuel tank must be fitted with a vent pipe connected to the highest point of the tank terminating in a 180 degree (3.14 radians) bend on a weather deck and fitted with a flame screen.

(2) Except where provision is made to fill a tank under pressure, the net cross-sectional area of the vent pipe for a fuel tank must not be less than 0.484 square inches (312.3 square millimeters).

(3) Where provision is made to fill a tank under pressure, the net cross-sectional area of the vent pipe must not be less than that of the fill pipe.

(e) Fuel piping. Except as permitted in paragraph (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this section, each fuel line must be seamless and must be of steel, annealed copper, nickel-copper, or copper-nickel. Each fuel line must have a wall thickness of not less than that of 0.035 inch (0.9 millimeters) except that:

(1) Aluminum piping is acceptable on an aluminum hull vessel provided it is installed outside the machinery space and is at least Schedule 80 in thickness; and

(2) Nonmetallic flexible hose is acceptable but must—

(i) Not be used in lengths of more than 30 inches (0.82 meters);

(ii) Be visible, easily accessible, and must not penetrate a watertight bulkhead;

(iii) Be fabricated with an inner tube and a cover of synthetic rubber or other suitable material reinforced with wire braid.

(iv) Be fitted with suitable, corrosion resistant, compression fittings; and

(v) Be installed with two clamps at each end of the hose, if designed for use with clamps. Clamps must not rely on spring tension and must be installed beyond the bead or flare or over the serrations of the mating spud, pipe, or hose fitting.

(f) A fuel line subject to internal head pressure from fuel in the tank must be fitted with a positive shutoff valve located at the tank which is operable from a safe location outside the space in which the valve is located.

(g) A vessel less than 79 feet (24 meters) in length may comply with one of the following standards in lieu of the requirements of paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section.

(1) ABYC H-33.

(2) Chapter 5 of NFPA 302.

(3) 33 CFR chapter I, subchapter S (Boating Safety).

(a) Applicability. Each vessel with a gasoline outboard engine or gasoline storage tank must comply with the requirements of this section.

(b) Ventilation of spaces containing gasoline. Each space that contains a gasoline engine, a gasoline storage tank, or gasoline piping connected to an integral gasoline tank must be open to the atmosphere and so arranged as to prevent the entrapment of vapors or be ventilated by a mechanical exhaust system with a nonsparking fan. The fan motor must comply with 46 CFR 111.105-23.

(c) Alternative standards. A vessel less than 65 feet in length with ventilation installations in accordance with NFPA 302, chapter 2, section 2-2, or ABYC H-2 and 33 CFR part 183, subpart K, will be considered as meeting the requirements of this section.

(a) A vessel less than 79 feet (24 meters) in length with an alternating current electrical distribution system may comply with the requirements of ABYC E-8 and either paragraph (c) or (d) of this section, as applicable, in lieu of meeting the requirements of §§ 28.350 through 28.370.

(b) A vessel less than 79 feet (24 meters) in length with a direct current system may comply with the requirements of ABYC E-1, ABYC E-9, and either paragraph (c) or (d) of this section, as applicable, in lieu of meeting the requirements of §§ 28.350 through 28.370.

(c) In addition to paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, the vessel may comply with the requirements of NFPA 302, chapters 7 and 8.

(d) In addition to paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, the vessel may comply with the requirements of 33 CFR part 183, subpart I and § 28.370.

(a) Electrical equipment exposed to the weather or in a location exposed to seas must be waterproof, watertight, or enclosed in a watertight housing.

(b) Aluminum must not be used for current carrying parts of electrical equipment or wiring.

(c) As far as practicable, electrical equipment must not be installed in lockers used to store paint, oil, turpentine, or other flammable or combustible liquid. If electrical equipment, such as lighting, is necessary in these spaces, it must be explosion-proof or intrinsically safe.

(d) Explosion-proof and intrinsically safe equipment must meet the requirements of 46 CFR part 111, subpart 111.105.

(e) Metallic enclosures and frames of electrical equipment must be grounded.

(f) Each vessel with a nonmetallic hull must have a continuous, non-current carrying grounding conductor which connects together the enclosures and frames of electrical equipment and which connects metallic items such as engines, fuel tanks, and equipment enclosures to a common ground point.

(g) The equipment grounding conductor must be sized in accordance with section 250-95 of NFPA Standard 70.

(a) Applicability. Each vessel that relies on electricity to power any of the following essential loads must have at least two electrical generators to supply these loads:

(1) The propulsion system and its necessary auxiliaries and controls;

(2) Interior lighting;

(3) Steering systems;

(4) Communication systems;

(5) Navigation equipment and navigation lights;

(6) Fire protection or detection equipment;

(7) Bilge pumps; or

(8) General alarm system.

(b) Each generator must be attached to an independent prime mover.

(a) Each electrical distribution system which has a neutral bus or conductor must have the neutral bus or conductor grounded.

(b) A grounded electrical distribution system must have only one connection to ground. This ground connection must be at the switchboard or, on a nonmetallic vessel, at the common ground point.

(a) Each power source must be protected against overcurrent. Overcurrent devices for generators must be set at a value not exceeding 115 percent of the generator full load rating.

(b) Except for a steering circuit, each circuit must be protected against both overload and short circuit. Each overcurrent device in a steering system power and control circuit must provide short circuit protection only.

(c) Each ungrounded current carrying conductor must be protected in accordance with its current carrying capacity by a circuit breaker or fuse at the connection to the switchboard or distribution panel bus.

(d) Each circuit breaker and each switch must simultaneously open all ungrounded conductors.

(e) The grounded conductor of a circuit must not be disconnected by a switch or an overcurrent device unless all ungrounded conductors of the circuit are simultaneously disconnected.

(f) Navigation light circuits must be separate, switched circuits having fused disconnect switches or circuit breakers so that only the appropriate navigation lights can be switched on.

(g) A separate circuit with overcurrent protection at the main distribution panel or switchboard must be provided for each radio installation.

(a) All cable and wire must have insulated, stranded copper conductors of the appropriate size and voltage rating for the circuit.

(b) Each conductor must be No. 22 AWG or larger. Conductors in power and lighting circuits must be No. 14 AWG or larger. Conductors must be sized so that the voltage drop at the load terminals is not more than 10 percent.

(c) Cable and wiring not serving equipment in a high risk fire area such as a galley, laundry, or machinery space must be routed as far as practicable from these spaces. As far as practicable, cables serving duplicated essential equipment must be separated so that a casualty that affects one cable does not affect the other.

(d) Cable and wire for power and lighting circuits must:

(1) For circuits of less than 50 volts, meet 33 CFR 183.425 and 183.430; and

(2) For circuits of 50 volts or greater:

(i) Meet sections 310-13 and 310-15 of NFPA 70, except that asbestos insulated cable and dry location cable must not be used;

(ii) Be listed by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. as UL Boat or UL Marine Shipboard cable; or

(iii) Meet 46 CFR part 111, subpart 111.60.

(e) All metallic cable armor must be electrically continuous and grounded to the metal hull or the common ground point at each end of the cable run, except that final sub-circuits (those supplying loads) may be grounded at the supply end only.

(f) A wiring termination and connection must be made in a fire retardant enclosure such as a junction box, fixture enclosure, or panel enclosure. A fire retardant plastic enclosure is acceptable.

(a) Each vessel must have an emergency source of electrical power which is independent of the main sources of electrical power and which is located outside the main machinery space.

(b) The emergency source of electrical power must be capable of supplying all connected loads continuously for at least 3 hours.

(c) Except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, the following electrical loads must be connected to the emergency source of power:

(1) Navigation lights;

(2) Steering systems;

(3) Bilge pumps;

(4) Fire protection and detection systems, including fire pumps;

(5) Communication equipment;

(6) General alarm system and;

(7) Emergency lighting.

(d) A vessel less than 36 feet (11.0 meters) in length need only supply communication equipment by an emergency source of electrical power if flashlights are provided.

(e) A vessel less than 79 feet (24 meters) in length which is not dependent upon electrical power for propulsion, including propulsion control systems or steering, need only supply emergency lighting, navigation equipment, general alarm system, and communication systems by the emergency source of power.

(f) Where the emergency source of power is a generator, the generator prime mover must have a fuel supply which is independent of other prime movers.

(a) Fire hazards to be minimized. Each vessel must be constructed so as to minimize fire hazards insofar as is reasonable and practicable.

(b) Combustibles insulated from heated surfaces. An internal combustion engine exhaust, galley uptake, electrical heating tape, or similar source of ignition must be kept clear of and suitably insulated from combustible material. A dry exhaust system for an internal combustion engine on a wooden or fiber reinforced plastic vessel must be installed in accordance with ABYC P-1.

(c) Separation of machinery and fuel tank spaces from accommodation spaces. (1) Each accommodation space must be separated from machinery and fuel tank spaces by a fire resistant boundary which will prevent the passage of vapors.

(2) Each pipe and cable penetration between an accommodation space and a machinery or a fuel tank storage space must be sealed.

(d) Paint and flammable liquid lockers. Each vessel carrying paint and flammable liquids must be equipped with a steel or a steel lined storage locker.

(e) Insulation. Except as provided in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this section, insulation must be noncombustible.

(1) In machinery spaces, combustible insulation may be used for pipe and machinery lagging.

(2) In cargo spaces and refrigerated compartments of service spaces, combustible insulation may be used.

(f) Vapor barrier. Where insulation of any type is used in spaces where flammable and combustible liquids or vapors are present, e.g., machinery spaces and paint lockers, a vapor barrier which covers the insulation must be provided.

(g) Paint. Nitrocellulose or other highly flammable or noxious fume producing paints or lacquers must not be used on the vessel.

(h) Mattresses. Polyurethane foam mattresses are prohibited.

(i) Fiber reinforced plastic. When the hull, a deck, deckhouse, or superstructure of a vessel is partially or completely constructed of fiber reinforced plastic, the resin used must be fire retardant.

(j) Cooking areas. Vertical or horizontal surfaces within 0.9144 meters (3 feet) of cooking appliances must be composed of noncombustible material or covered by noncombustible material. Curtains, draperies, or free hanging fabrics are not permitted within 0.9144 meters (3 feet) of cooking appliances.

(a) Applicability. Each vessel that operates with more than 49 individuals on board must comply with the requirements of this section in addition to the requirements of § 28.380.

(b) Construction. The hull, structural bulkheads, columns and stanchions must be composed of steel. Superstructures and deckhouses must be constructed of noncombustible material.

(c) Protection of accommodation spaces. A bulkhead or deck separating an accommodation space from a control station, machinery space, cargo space, or service space must be constructed of noncombustible material.

(a) Each space which is used by an individual on a regular basis or which is generally accessible to an individual must have at least two widely separated means of escape. At least one of the means of escape must be independent of watertight doors. Subject to the restrictions of this section, means of escape include normal exits and emergency exits, passageways, stairways, ladders, deck scuttles, and windows.

(b) At least one of the means of escape from each space must provide a satisfactory route to weather.

(c) Each door, hatch or scuttle used as a means of escape must be capable of being opened by one individual, from either side, in both light and dark conditions, must open towards the expected direction of escape from the space served, and if a watertight door be of the quick acting type.

(d) Each deck scuttle which serves as a means of escape, must be fitted with a quick-acting release and a device to hold the scuttle in an open position.

(e) Each foothold, handhold, ladder, or similar structure, provided to aid escape, must be suitable for use in emergency conditions and must be of rigid construction.

(f) A window or windshield of sufficient size and proper accessibility may be used as one of the required means of escape from an enclosed space.

Each vessel must have at least one designated survival craft embarkation station and any additional embarkation stations necessary so that an embarkation station is readily accessible from each accommodation space and work space. Each embarkation station must be arranged to allow the safe boarding of survival craft.

(a) Each vessel must be fitted with a general marine radar system for surface navigation with a radar screen mounted at the operating station.

(b) Each vessel must be fitted with a suitable echo depth sounding device.

(a) Each hydraulic system must be so designed and installed that proper operation of the system is not affected by back pressure in the system.

(b) Piping and piping components must be designed with a burst pressure of not less than four times the system maximum operating pressure.

(c) Each hydraulic system must be equipped with at least one pressure relieving device set to relieve at the system's maximum operating pressure.

(d) All material in a hydraulic system must be suitable for use with the hydraulic fluid used and must be of such chemical and physical properties as to remain ductile at the lowest operating temperature likely to be encountered by the vessel.

(e) Except for hydraulic steering equipment, controls for hydraulic equipment must be located where the operator has an unobstructed view of the hydraulic equipment and the adjacent working area.

(f) Controls for hydraulic equipment must be so arranged that the operator is able to quickly disengage the equipment in an emergency.

(g) Hydraulically operated machinery must be equipped with a holding device to prevent uncontrolled movement due to loss of hydraulic system pressure.

(h) A nonmetallic flexible hose must only be used between two points of relative motion, including a pump and piping system, and must meet SAE J 1942.

(i) Each nonmetallic flexible hose and hose assembly must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's rating and guidelines and must be limited to a length of not more that 30 inches (0.76 meters) in an application not subject to torsional loading.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d) of this section, deck rails, lifelines, grab rails, or equivalent protection must be installed near the periphery of all weather decks accessible to individuals. Where space limitations make deck rails impractical, hand grabs may be substituted.

(b) The height of deck rail, lifelines, or bulwarks must be at least 39 1/2 inches (1 meter) from the deck, except, where this height would interfere with the normal operation of the vessel, a lesser height may be substituted.

(c) All deck rails or lifelines must be permanently supported by stanchions at intervals of not more than 7 feet (2.3 meters). Stanchions must be through bolted or welded to the deck.

(d) Portable stanchions and lifelines may be installed in locations where permanently installed deck rails would impede normal fishing operations or emergency recovery operations.

(e) Deck rails or lifelines must consist of evenly spaced courses. The spacing between courses must not be greater than 15 inches (0.38 meters). The opening below the lowest course must not be more than 9 inches (0.23 meters). Lower courses are not required where all or part of the space below the upper rail is fitted with a bulwark, chain link fencing, wire mesh, or an equivalent.

(f) A suitable storm rail or hand grab must be installed where necessary in a passageway, at a deckhouse side, at a ladder, and a hatch where an individual might have normal access.

(g) A stern trawler must have doors, gates, or other protective arrangements at the top of the stern ramp at least as high as adjacent bulwarks or 39 1/2 inches (1 meter), whichever is less.