[Title 46 CFR E]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - October 1, 2006 Edition]
[Title 46 - SHIPPING]
[Chapter I - COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)]
[Subchapter E - LOAD LINES]
[Part 45 - GREAT LAKES LOAD LINES]
[Subpart E - Unmanned River Barges on Lake Michigan Routes]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
46SHIPPING22006-10-012006-10-01falseUnmanned River Barges on Lake Michigan RoutesESubpart ESHIPPINGCOAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)LOAD LINESGREAT LAKES LOAD LINES
Subpart E_Unmanned River Barges on Lake Michigan Routes
Source: USCG-1998-4623, 67 FR 19690, Apr. 23, 2002, unless otherwise
noted.
Sec. 45.171 Purpose.
(a) This subpart establishes a special load line regime under which
certain unmanned, river-service, dry-cargo barges may be exempted from
the normal Great Lakes load line requirements while operating on certain
Lake Michigan routes. Depending upon the route, the barge may only need
a limited service domestic voyage load line, or may be conditionally
exempted from load line assignment.
(b) Except as provided in this subpart, barges operating on Lake
Michigan must have either an international load line assignment issued
in accordance with the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966, as
amended, or a Great Lakes load line assignment issued in accordance with
the requirements of this part.
(c) The requirements of this subpart are summarized in Table 45.171:
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR23AP02.007
Sec. 45.173 Eligible barges.
Only barges meeting the following requirements are eligible for the
special load line regime under this subpart:
(a) Unmanned, river service, dry-cargo barges;
(b) Barges that have been designed and built to at least the minimum
scantlings of the American Bureau of Shipping River Rules which were in
effect at the time of construction;
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(c) Barges with a length-to-depth ratio less than 22; and
(d) Barges on the Milwaukee route must not be more than 10 years
old.
Sec. 45.175 Applicable routes.
This subpart applies to the following routes on Lake Michigan,
between Chicago (Calumet Harbor), IL, and--
(a) Milwaukee, WI (the ``Milwaukee route'');
(b) Burns Harbor, IN (the ``Burns Harbor route'');
(c) St. Joseph, MI (the ``St. Joseph route''); and
(d) Muskegon, MI (the ``Muskegon route'').
Sec. 45.177 Freeboard requirements.
(a) All barges must have a minimum freeboard of 24 inches (610 mm).
(b) Additionally, open hopper barges must have a combined freeboard
plus cargo box coaming height of at least 54 inches (1,372 mm).
Sec. 45.179 Cargo limitations.
(a) Only dry cargoes may be carried. Liquid cargoes, even in drums
or tank containers, may not be carried.
(b) Hazardous materials, as defined in part 148 of this chapter and
49 CFR chapter 1, subchapter C, may not be carried.
Sec. 45.181 Load line exemption requirements for the Burns Harbor and
Milwaukee routes.
Barges operating on the Burns Harbor and Milwaukee routes may be
conditionally exempted from load line assignment provided that the
following requirements are met:
(a) Registration. Before the barge's first voyage onto Lake
Michigan, the owner or operator must register the barge (in writing)
with the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI), U.S. Coast Guard
Marine Safety Office, 215 W. 83rd St--Suite D, Burr Ridge, IL, 60521.
The registration may be faxed to the OCMI in advance (at (630) 986-
2120), with the original following by mail. The registration may be in
any form, but must be signed by the owner or operator. No load line
exemption certificate will be returned. However, the registration will
be kept on file.
(b) The registration must include the following information:
(1) Barge name and official number (or other identification number);
(2) Owner and operator (points-of-contact, company addresses and
telephone numbers);
(3) Service route (Milwaukee and/or Burns Harbor);
(4) Design type (covered/uncovered hopper, deck, etc.);
(5) External dimensions;
(6) Types of cargo; and
(7) Place built and original delivery date.
(c) The registration must include a statement certifying that:
(1) The barge has been designed and built to at least the minimum
scantlings of the ABS River Rules which were in effect at the time of
construction; and
(2) The owner or operator agrees to maintain the barge in
serviceable condition and comply with the applicable provisions of 46
CFR part 45, subpart E.
(d) Expiration. Registration is valid only until the earliest of the
following events:
(1) The tenth anniversary of the delivery date (for barges on the
Milwaukee route),
(2) The barge no longer is fit for this service (due to damage), or
(3) The barge changes ownership or operators (registration is not
transferable to new owners or operators; the barge must be re-registered
if it is to continue in Lake Michigan service).
(e) Notification. The owner or operator of an exempted barge must
notify the OCMI of the transfer of ownership or change of operator,
withdrawal from Lake Michigan service (due to damage, age, or other
circumstances), or other disposition of the barge.
Sec. 45.183 Load line requirements for the St. Joseph and Muskegon routes.
(a) Load line certificate. (1) The load line issued under this
subpart must be a limited-service, domestic-voyage load line.
(2) Except as provided under paragraph (b)(2)(vi) of this section,
the term of the certificate is five years.
(3) The load line certificate is valid for the St. Joseph and
Muskegon
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routes, and intermediate ports. However, operators must comply with the
route-specific requirements on the certificate.
(4) The freeboard assignment, operational limitations, and towboat
requirements of this subpart must appear on the certificate.
(b) Conditions of assignment. (1) An initial load line survey under
Sec. 42.09-25 of this chapter and subsequent annual surveys under Sec.
42.09-40 of this chapter are required.
(2) At the request of the barge owner, the initial load line survey
may be conducted with the barge afloat if the following conditions are
met:
(i) The barge is less than 10 years old;
(ii) The draft during the survey does not exceed 15 inches (380
millimeters);
(iii) The barge is empty and thoroughly cleaned of all debris,
excessive rust, scale, mud, and water. All internal structure must be
accessible for inspection;
(iv) Gaugings are taken to the extent necessary to verify that the
scantlings are in accordance with approved drawings;
(v) The hull plating (bottom and sides) and stiffeners below the
light waterline are closely examined internally. If the surveyor
determines that sufficient cause exists, the surveyor may require that
the barge be drydocked or hauled out and further external examination
conducted; and
(vi) The initial load line certificate is to be issued for a term of
5 years or until the barge reaches 10 years of age, whichever occurs
first. Once this certificate expires, the barge must be drydocked or
hauled out and be fully examined internally and externally.
Sec. 45.185 Tow limitations.
(a) Barges must not be manned.
(b) No more than three barges per tow on the Milwaukee, St. Joseph,
and Muskegon routes.
(c) Barges must not be more than 5 nautical miles from shore.
Sec. 45.187 Weather limitations.
(a) Tows on the Burns Harbor route must operate during fair weather
conditions only.
(b) The weather limits (ice conditions, wave height, and sustained
winds) for the Milwaukee, St. Joseph, and Muskegon routes are specified
in Sec. 45.171, table 45.171.
(c) If weather conditions are expected to exceed these limits at any
time during the voyage, the tow must not leave harbor or, if already
underway, must proceed to the nearest appropriate harbor of safe refuge.
Sec. 45.191 Pre-departure requirements.
Before beginning each voyage, the towing vessel master must conduct
the following:
(a) Weather forecast. Determine the marine weather forecast along
the planned route, and contact the dock operator at the destination port
to get an update on local weather conditions.
(b) Inspection. Inspect each barge of the tow to ensure that they
meet the following requirements:
(1) A valid load line certificate, if required, is on board;
(2) The barge is not loaded deeper than permitted;
(3) The deck and side shell plating are free of visible holes,
fractures, or serious indentations, as well as damage that would be
considered in excess of normal wear;
(4) The cargo box side and end coamings are watertight;
(5) All manholes are covered and secured watertight;
(6) All voids are free of excess water; and
(7) Precautions have been taken to prevent shifting of cargo.
(c) Verifications. On voyages north of St. Joseph, the towing vessel
master must contact a mooring/docking facility in St. Joseph, Holland,
Grand Haven, and Muskegon to verify that sufficient space is available
to accommodate the tow. The tow cannot venture onto Lake Michigan
without confirmed space available.
(d) Log entries. Before getting underway, the towing vessel master
must note in the logbook that the pre-departure barge inspections,
verification of mooring/docking space availability, and weather forecast
checks were performed, and record the freeboards of each barge.
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Sec. 45.193 Towboat power requirements.
The towing vessel must meet the following requirements:
(a) General. The towing vessel must have adequate horsepower to
handle the tow, but not less than the amount specified for the routes
below.
(b) Milwaukee and St. Joseph routes: a minimum of 1,000 HP.
(c) Muskegon route: a minimum of 1,500 HP.
Sec. 45.195 Additional equipment requirements for the Muskegon route.
Towboats on the Muskegon route must meet these additional equipment
requirements:
(a) Communication equipment. Two independent voice communication
systems in operable condition, such as Very High Frequency (VHF) radio,
radiotelephone, or cellular phone. At least two persons aboard the
vessel must be capable of using the communication systems.
(b) Cutting gear. Equipment that can quickly cut the towline at the
towing vessel. The cutting gear must be in operable condition and
appropriate for the type of towline being used, such as wire,
polypropylene, or nylon. At least two persons aboard the vessel must be
capable of using the cutting gear.
Sec. 45.197 Operational plan requirements for the Muskegon route.
Towing vessels on the Muskegon route must have aboard an operational
plan that is available for ready reference by the master. The plan must
include the following:
(a) The cargo limitations, the general operational requirements, and
the special operational requirements of this subpart.
(b) A list of mooring and docking facilities (with phone numbers) in
St. Joseph, Holland, Grand Haven, and Muskegon, that can accommodate the
tow.
(c) A list of towing firms (with phone numbers) that have the
capability to render assistance to the tow, if required.
(d) Guidelines for possible emergency situations, such as barge
handling under adverse weather conditions, and other emergency
procedures.
Appendix A to Part 45--Load Line Certificate Form
great lakes load line certificate
No. ------
Issued under the authority of the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard,
United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of August 27,
1935, as amended to establish load lines on the Great Lakes of North
America and the Load Line regulations in force on ----------------------
------, 19----, By ------------------------, duly authorized by the
Commandant to issue said load line certificate.
Ship____________________________________________________________________
Certificate No._________________________________________________________
Official No_____________________________________________________________
Length (LBP)____________________________________________________________
Gross tonnage___________________________________________________________
Port of registry________________________________________________________
Type of Ship:
TYPE ``A''
TYPE ``B''
TYPE ``B'' with increased freeboard
freeboard from deck line
Midsummer..................................................... MS
Summer........................................................ S
Intermediate.................................................. I
Winter........................................................ W
load line
above S
Upper edge of line through center of diamond ........
below S
below S
Increase for salt water for all freeboards ---- inches.
The upper edge of the deck line from which these freeboards are
measured is ---- inches above or below the top of the -------- deck at
side.
This is to certify that this ship has been surveyed and the
freeboards and load lines shown above have been found to be correctly
marked upon the vessel in manner and location as provided by the load
line regulations of the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, applicable to the
Great Lakes.
This certificate \1\ remains in force until --------------. Issued
at ---------- on the -------------- day of ------------------, 19----.
(Here follows the signature, seal, if any, and the name of the authority
issuing the certificate.)
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\1\ Upon the expiration of the certificate, renewal must be obtained
as provided by the Great Lakes Load Line Regulations and the certificate
so endorsed.
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notes
(1) In accordance with the Great Lakes Load Line Regulations the
diamond and
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lines must be permanently marked. The ``MS'' loadline shall be assigned
only to those particular vessels that qualify under the regulations.
(2) The ``SW'' marks need only be assigned to Great Lakes vessels
loading in salt water of the St. Lawrence River west of a straight line
from Cap de Rosiers to West Point Anticosti Island, and west of a line
along longitude 63 degrees west from Anticosti Island to the north shore
of the St. Lawrence River. In such cases these limits shall be indicated
on the certificate.
(3) The load line assignment given by this certificate necessarily
assumes that the nature and stowage of cargo, ballast, etc., are such as
to secure sufficient stability for the vessel. Accordingly, it is the
owner's responsibility to furnish the Master of the vessel with
stability information and instructions when this is necessary to
maintenance of sufficient stability.
(On the reverse side of the load line certificate, or on a separate
sheet, attached and forming part of the certificate, provision is to be
made for annual inspection and renewal endorsements.)