[Title 46 CFR I]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - October 1, 1996 Edition]
[Title 46 - SHIPPING]
[Chapter I - COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF]
[Subchapter K - SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS CARRYING MORE THAN 150 PASSENGERS]
[Part 115 - INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION]
[Subpart I - International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
46
SHIPPING
4
1996-10-01
1996-10-01
false
International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as
I
Subpart I
SHIPPING
COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF
SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS CARRYING MORE THAN 150 PASSENGERS
INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION
Subpart I--International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as
Amended (SOLAS)
Sec. 115.900 Applicability.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subpart, a mechanically
propelled vessel of the United States, which carries more than 12
passengers on an international voyage must be in compliance with the
applicable requirements of the International Convention for Safety of
Life at Sea, 1974, as Amended (SOLAS), to which the United States
Government is currently a party.
(b) SOLAS does not apply to a vessel solely navigating the Great
Lakes and the St. Lawrence River as far east as a straight line drawn
from Cap des Rosiers to West Point, Anticosti Island and, on the north
side of Anticosti Island, the 63rd Meridian.
Sec. 115.910 Passenger Ship Safety Certificate.
(a) A vessel that carries more than 12 passengers on an
international voyage must have a valid SOLAS Passenger Ship Safety
Certificate. The Commandant issues the original SOLAS Passenger Ship
Safety Certificate after receiving notification from the cognizant OCMI
that the vessel complies with the applicable SOLAS regulations.
Subsequent SOLAS Passenger Ship Safety Certificates are issued by the
cognizant OCMI unless any changes to the vessel or its operations have
occurred that changes the information on the certificate, in which case
the Commandant will reissue the certificate.
(b) The route specified on the Certificate of Inspection and the
SOLAS Passenger Ship Safety Certificate must agree.
(c) A SOLAS Passenger Ship Safety Certificate is issued for a period
of not more than 12 months.
(d) The SOLAS Passenger Ship Safety Certificate may be withdrawn,
revoked, or suspended at any time when the vessel is not in compliance
with applicable SOLAS requirements.
Sec. 115.920 Exemptions.
(a) In accordance with Chapter I (General Provisions) Regulation 4,
of SOLAS, the Commandant may exempt a vessel, which is not normally
engaged on an international voyage but that in exceptional circumstances
is required to undertake a single international voyage, from any of the
requirements of SOLAS provided that the vessel complies with safety
requirements that are adequate in the Commandant's opinion for the
voyage that is to be undertaken.
(b) In accordance with Chapter II-1 (Construction--Subdivision and
Stability, Machinery and Electrical Installations) Regulation 1, Chapter
II-2 (Construction--Fire Protection, Fire Detection and Fire Extinction)
Regulation 1, and Chapter III (Life Saving Appliances and Arrangements)
Regulation 2 of SOLAS, the Commandant may exempt a vessel that does not
proceed more than 20 miles from the nearest land from any of the
specific requirements of Chapters II-1, II-2, and III of SOLAS if the
Commandant determines that the sheltered nature and conditions of the
voyage are such as to render the application of such requirements
unreasonable or unnecessary.
(c) The Commandant may exempt a vessel from requirements of the
regulations of SOLAS in accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this
section upon a written request from the owner or managing operator
submitted to the Commandant via the cognizant OCMI.
(d) When the Commandant grants an exemption to a vessel in
accordance with this section, the Commandant
[[Page 323]]
will issue the original SOLAS Exemption Certificate describing the
exemption. Subsequent SOLAS Exemption Certificates are issued by the
cognizant OCMI unless any changes to the vessel or its operations have
occurred that changes the information on the SOLAS Exemption or
Passenger Ship Safety Certificates, in which case the Commandant shall
reissue the certificate. A SOLAS Exemption Certificate is not valid for
longer than the period of the SOLAS Passenger Ship Safety Certificate to
which it refers.
Sec. 115.930 Equivalents.
In accordance with Chapter I (General Provisions) Regulation 5, of
SOLAS, the Commandant may accept an equivalent to a particular fitting,
material, appliance, apparatus, or any particular provision required by
the SOLAS regulations if satisfied that such equivalent is as least as
effective as that required by the regulations. An owner or managing
operator of a vessel may submit a request for the acceptance of an
equivalent following the procedures in Sec. 114.540 of this subchapter.
The Commandant will indicate the acceptance of an equivalent on the
vessel's SOLAS Passenger Ship Safety Certificate.