(a) Terms used in this subchapter are defined in paragraph (b) of this section. The number in parenthesis after certain terms describing areas on a vessel refers to the applicable column and row number where that area is listed in Tables 116.415 (b) and (c) of part 116 of this subchapter.

(b) General terms:

Accommodation space (5, 6, or 7 depending on size, fire load, and furnishings) means a space that does not contain any cooking appliance other than a microwave oven or other low heat (maximum heating element temperature less than 121 °C (250 °F)) appliance used as a -

Adequate hull protection system means a method of protecting the vessel's hull from corrosion. It includes, as a minimum, either hull coatings and a cathodic protection (CP) system consisting of sacrificial anodes, or an impressed current CP system.

Alternative Hull Examination (AHE) Program means a program in which an eligible vessel may receive an initial and subsequent credit hull examination through a combination of underwater surveys, internal examinations, and annual hull condition assessments.

Anniversary date means the day and the month of each year, which corresponds to the date of expiration of the Certificate of Inspection.

Approval series means the first six digits of a number assigned by the Coast Guard to approved equipment. Where approval is based on a subpart of subchapter Q of this chapter, the approval series corresponds to the number of the subpart. A listing of current and formerly approved equipment and materials may be found on the Internet at: http://cgmix.uscg.mil/equipment.

Area of refuge means an area that is separated from the effects of fire and flooding where passengers and crew can gather to await disembarking in the event of fire or flooding. To qualify as an area of refuge, the area must provide separation from the effect of fire and flooding for the maximum amount of time required to complete disembarking of the vessel, or one hour, whichever is less.

Atrium (5 or 7 depending on fire load and furnishings) means a continuous deck opening connecting more than two deck levels within an accommodation space that is covered at the top of the series openings and is used for purposes other than an enclosed stairway, or a utility trunk for pipe, cable, or ductwork.

Auxiliary machinery space (12) means a space containing only pumps, tanks, electrical machinery, ventilation or air conditioning equipment, refrigeration machinery, resistors steering machinery, etc., with not more than 2.5 kilograms per square meter (0.5 pounds per square foot) of combustible storage.

Balcony (5 or 7 depending on fire load and furnishings) means a deck opening connecting two deck levels within an accommodation space creating two freely communicating levels within the same space.

Beam or B means the maximum width of a vessel from:

Bulbous bow means a design of bow in which the forward underwater frames ahead of the forward perpendicular are swelled out at the forefoot into a bulbous formation.

Bulkhead deck means the uppermost deck to which watertight bulkheads and the watertight shell extend.

Cable means single or multiple insulated conductors with an outer protective jacket.

Cargo space (11) means a:

Char length means the numeric value in inches assigned to a material when tested in accordance with NFPA 261 by an independent laboratory.

Coast Guard District Commander or District Commander means an officer of the Coast Guard designated as such by the Commandant to command Coast Guard activities within a district.

Coastwise means a route that is not more than 20 nautical miles offshore on any of the following waters:

Cockpit vessel means vessel with an exposed recess in the weather deck extending not more than one-half of the length of the vessel measured over the weather deck.

Cold water means water where the monthly mean low water temperature is normally 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) or less.

Commandant means the Commandant of the Coast Guard or an authorized Headquarters staff officer designated in § 1.01 of this chapter.

Consideration means an economic benefit, inducement, right, or profit including pecuniary payment accruing to an individual, person, or entity, but not including a voluntary sharing of the actual expenses of the voyage, by monetary contribution or donation of fuel, food, beverage, or other supplies.

Continuous B-Class ceiling means an approved structural ceiling composed of B-Class panels that terminates only at an approved A-Class or B-Class bulkhead.

Control space

Corrosion-resistant material or corrosion-resistant means made of one of the following materials in a grade suitable for its intended use in a marine environment:

Crew accommodation space (5 or 7 depending on fire load and furnishings) means an accommodation space designated for the use of crew members and where passengers are normally not allowed to occupy.

Critical radiant flux means the numeric value assigned to a material when tested in accordance with ASTM E-648 by an independent laboratory.

Custom engineered means, when referring to a fixed gas fire extinguishing system, a system that is designed for a specific space requiring individual calculations for the extinguishing agent volume, flow rate, piping, and similar factors.

Dead cover means a metal cover to close or protect a port light to avoid glass breakage in case of heavy weather.

Distribution panel means an electrical panel that receives energy from the switchboard and distributes the energy to energy consuming devices or other panels.

Draft means the vertical distance from the molded baseline of a vessel amidships to the waterline.

Dripproof means enclosed equipment so constructed or protected that falling drops of liquid or solid particles striking the enclosure at any angle from 0 to 15 degrees downward from the vertical do not interfere with the operation of the equipment. A National Electrical Manufacturers Association type 1 enclosure with a dripshield is considered to be dripproof.

Drydock examination means hauling out a vessel or placing a vessel in a drydock or slipway for an examination of all accessible parts of the vessel's underwater body and all through-hull fittings and appurtenances.

Embarkation deck (4) means;

Embarkation station (4) means the place on the vessel from which a survival craft is boarded.

Enclosed space means a compartment that is not exposed to the atmosphere when all access and ventilation closures are secured.

Existing vessel means a vessel that is not a new vessel.

Exit means -

Exposed waters is a term used in connection with stability criteria and means:

Ferry means a vessel that is used on a regular schedule -

Fiber reinforced plastic means plastics reinforced with fibers or strands of some other material.

Fire control boundary means a deck or bulkhead meeting the requirements for A-Class, B-Class, or C-Class or C′-Class construction in accordance with § 116.415 of this subchapter.

Fire load means a measure in kilograms per square meter (pounds per square foot) equaling the weight of all combustible material that is in a compartment and comprises its construction, as defined in § 116.427(b) of this subchapter, divided by the floor area of that compartment.

Flame spread means the numeric value assigned to a material when tested in accordance with ASTM E 84 (incorporated by reference, see § 114.600) or UL 723 by an independent laboratory.

Flash point means the temperature at which a liquid gives off a flammable vapor when heated using the Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Tester method in accordance with ASTM D 93 (incorporated by reference, see § 114.600).

Float-free launching or arrangement means that method of launching a survival craft whereby the survival craft is automatically released from a sinking vessel and is ready for use.

Flush deck vessel means a vessel with a continuous weather deck located at the uppermost sheer line of the hull.

Freeing port means any direct opening through the vessel's bulwark or hull to quickly drain overboard water that has been shipped on exposed decks.

Galley (9) means a space containing appliances with cooking surfaces that may exceed 121 °C (250 °F), such as ovens, griddles, and deep fat fryers.

Great Lakes means a route on the waters of any of the Great Lakes.

Gross tonnage and gross tons is an indicator of a vessel's approximate volume as determined in accordance with Part 69 (Measurement of Vessels) of this chapter and recorded on the vessel's Tonnage Certificate (formerly Certificate of Admeasurement).

Harbor of safe refuge means a port, inlet, or other body of water normally sheltered from heavy seas by land and in which a vessel can navigate and safely moor. The cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, shall determine the suitability of a location as a harbor of safe refuge. The suitability will vary for each vessel, depending on the vessel's size, maneuverability, and mooring gear.

Hardwood means oak or a similar wood with a specific gravity of approximately 0.6 and having fire resistant properties similar to oak.

Hazardous condition means any condition that could adversely affect the safety of any vessel, bridge, structure, or shore area or the environmental quality of any port, harbor, or navigable water of the United States. This condition could include, but is not limited to, fire, explosion, grounding, leaking, damage, illness of a person on board, or a manning shortage.

High risk accommodation space (6 or 7 depending on size) means an accommodation space that contains a fire load greater than 15 kilograms per square meter (3 pounds per square foot), or a cleaning gear locker which contains storage space for materials other than flammable liquids and which has a deck area less than 5 square meters.

High risk service spaces (9) include -

High seas means all waters that are neither territorial seas (the waters in a belt 3 nautical miles wide, that is adjacent to the coast and seaward of the territorial sea baseline) nor internal waters of the United States or of any foreign country.

High speed craft means a craft that is operable on or above the water and has characteristics so different from those of conventional displacement ships, to which the existing international conventions, particularly SOLAS, apply, that alternative measures should be used to achieve an equivalent level of safety. In order to be considered a high speed craft, the craft must be capable of a maximum speed equal to or exceeding V = 3.7 × displ^.1667, where “V” is the maximum speed and “displ” is the vessel displacement corresponding to the design waterline in cubic meters.

Independent laboratory means a laboratory accepted under § 159.010 in subchapter Q of this chapter, or other standard specified by the Commandant.

Inflatable survival craft or inflatable life jacket means one that depends upon nonrigid, gas filled chambers for buoyancy, and is normally kept uninflated until ready for use.

Interior finish means any coating, overlay or veneer that is applied to interior surfaces such as bulkheads, linings, or suspended ceilings for decorative or other purposes. It includes not only the visible finish, but also all material used in its composition and application. In general, a paint is not considered an interior finish.

Internal structural examination means an examination of the vessel while afloat or in drydock and consists of a complete examination of the vessel's main strength members, including the major internal framing, the hull plating, voids, and ballast tanks, but not including cargo, sewage, or fuel oil tanks.

International voyage means a voyage between a country to which SOLAS applies and a port outside that country. A country, as used in this definition, includes every territory for the international relations of which a contracting government to the convention is responsible or for which the United Nations is the administering authority. For the U.S., the term “territory” includes the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, all possessions of the United States, and all lands held by the United States under a protectorate or mandate. For the purposes of this subchapter, vessels are not considered as being on an “international voyage” when 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.

Lakes, bays, and sounds means a route on any of the following waters:

Launching appliance means a device for transferring a survival craft or rescue boat from its stowed position safely to the water. For a launching appliance using a davit, the term includes the davit winch, and falls.

Length when used in terms of the vessel's length (excluding bow sprits, bumpkins, rudders, outboard motor brackets, handles, and other similar fittings, attachments, and extensions), means:

Length between perpendiculars or LBP means the horizontal distance measured between perpendiculars taken at the forwardmost and aftermost points on the waterline corresponding to the deepest operating draft.

Limited coastwise means a route that is not more than 20 nautical miles from a harbor of safe refuge.

Lining means a bulkhead panel.

Low risk accommodation space (5) means an accommodation space that contains only fire resistant furnishings and a fire load not greater than 15 kilograms per square meter (3 pounds per square foot).

Low risk service spaces (8) include -

Machinery space (10) means a space, including a trunk, alleyway, stairway, or duct to such a space, that contains -

Main horizontal zone means a vehicle space that is separated from the remainder of the vessel by horizontal fire control boundaries required by the structural fire protection requirements of this subchapter.

Main transverse watertight bulkhead means a transverse bulkhead that must be maintained watertight in order for the vessel to meet the damage stability and subdivision requirements of this subchapter.

Main vertical zone means that section of a vessel into which the hull, superstructure, and deckhouse are required to be divided by vertical fire control boundaries required by the structural fire protection requirements of this subchapter.

Major conversion means a conversion of a vessel that, as determined by the Commandant:

Marine inspector or inspector means any civilian employee or military member of the Coast Guard assigned by an Officer in Charge. Marine Inspection, or the Commandant to perform duties with respect to the inspection, enforcement, and administration of vessel safety and navigation laws and regulations.

Master means the individual having command of the vessel and who is the holder of a valid license or merchant mariner credential that authorizes the individual to serve as master of a small passenger vessel.

Means of escape means a continuous and unobstructed way of exit travel from any point in a vessel to an embarkation station or area of refuge. A means of escape can be both vertical and horizontal, and includes doorways, corridors, stairtowers, stairways, and public spaces. High risk service spaces, low risk service spaces, cargo spaces, machinery spaces, auxiliary machinery spaces, control spaces, rest rooms, barber shops, sales rooms, hazardous areas determined by the cognizant OCMI, escalators, and elevators must not be any part of a means of escape. It consists of three distinct components:

New vessel means a vessel:

Noncombustible material means any material approved in accordance with § 164.009 in subchapter Q of this chapter, or other standard specified by the Commandant.

Non-self-propelled vessel means a vessel that does not have installed means of propulsion, including propulsive machinery, masts, spars, or sails.

Oceans means a route that is more than 20 nautical miles offshore on any of the following waters:

Officer In Charge, Marine Inspection, or OCMI means an officer of the Coast Guard designated as such by the Commandant and who, under the direction of the Coast Guard District Commander, is in charge of a marine inspection zone, described in Part 1 of this chapter, for the performance of duties with respect to the inspection, enforcement, and administration of vessel safety and navigation laws and regulations. The “cognizant OCMI” is the OCMI that has immediate jurisdiction over a vessel for the purpose of performing the duties previously described.

Open boat means a vessel not protected from entry of water by means of a complete weathertight deck, or by a combination of a partial weathertight deck and superstructure that is structurally suitable for the waters upon which the vessel operates.

Open deck (13) means a deck that is permanently open to the weather on one or more sides and, if covered, any spot on the overhead is less than 4.5 meters (15 feet) from the nearest opening to the weather.

Open to the atmosphere means a compartment that has at least 0.342 square meters of open area directly exposed to the atmosphere for each cubic meter (15 square inches for each cubic foot) of net compartment volume.

Operating station means the principal steering station on the vessel from which the individual on duty normally navigates the vessel.

Overnight accommodations or overnight accommodation space (5, 6 or 7 depending on size, fire load and furnishings) means an accommodation space for use by passengers or by crew members, that has one or more berths, including beds or bunks, for passengers or crew members to rest for extended periods. Staterooms, cabins, and berthing areas are normally overnight accommodation spaces. Overnight accommodations do not include spaces that contain only seats, including reclining seats.

Pantry means a space used for food storage, and may include microwaves or other low heat [not exceeding 121 °C (250 °F)] appliances for food preparation.

Partially enclosed space means a compartment that is neither open to the atmosphere nor an enclosed space.

Partially protected waters is a term used in connection with stability criteria and means:

Passenger means an individual carried on a vessel, except:

Passenger accommodation space (5, 6 or 7 depending on size, fire load, and furnishings) means an accommodation space designated for the use of passengers.

Passenger for hire means a passenger for whom consideration is contributed as a condition of carriage on the vessel, whether directly or indirectly flowing to the owner, charterer, operator, agent, or any other person having an interest in the vessel.

Pilothouse control means that controls to start and stop the engines and control the direction and speed of the propeller of the vessel are located at the operating station.

Piping system includes piping, fittings, and appurtenances as described in § 56.07-5 in subchapter F of this chapter.

Port light means a hinged glass window, generally circular, in a vessel's side or deckhouse for light and ventilation.

Protected waters is a term used in connection with stability criteria and means sheltered waters presenting no special hazards such as most rivers, harbors, and lakes, and is not determined to be exposed waters or partially protected waters by the OCMI.

Pre-engineered means, when referring to a fixed gas fire extinguishing system, a system that is designed and tested to be suitable for installation without modification, as a complete unit in a space of a set volume, regardless of the specific design of the vessel on which it is installed.

Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) team, at a minimum, consist of an ROV operator, a non-destructive testing inspector, an ROV tender or mechanic, and a team supervisor who is considered by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI), have the appropriate training and experience to perform the survey and to safely operate the ROV in an effective manner. The team must also have a hull-positioning technician present. This position may be assigned to a team member already responsible for another team duty.

Rivers means a route on any of the following waters:

Safety areas include any of the following spaces:

Sailing vessel means a vessel principally equipped for propulsion by sail even if the vessel has an auxiliary means of propulsion.

Scantlings means the dimensions of all structural parts such as frames, girders, and plating, used in building a vessel.

Scupper means a pipe or tube of at least 30 millimeters (1.25 inches) in diameter leading down from a deck or sole and through the hull to drain water overboard.

Self-bailing cockpit means a cockpit, with watertight sides and floor (sole), that is designed to free itself of water by gravity drainage through scuppers.

Service space means a high risk service space or a low risk service space.

Shallow water is an ascertained water depth at which the uppermost deck(s) of a sunken vessel remain above the water's surface. The determination of the water's depth is made by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) who considers the vessel's stability (passenger heeling moment), the contour of the hull, the composition of the river bottom, and any other factors that would tend to prevent a vessel from resting an even keel.

Ship's service loads means services necessary for maintaining the vessel in normal operational and habitable conditions. These loads include, but are not limited to, safety, lighting, ventilation, navigational, and communications loads.

Short international voyage means an international voyage where:

Smoke developed rating means the numeric value assigned to a material when tested in accordance with ASTM E 84 (incorporated by reference, see § 114.600) or UL 723 by an independent laboratory.

Specific optical density means the numeric value assigned to a material when tested in accordance with ASTM E 662 (incorporated by reference, see § 114.600) by an independent laboratory.

Stairtower (2) means a fully enclosed group of stairways located within a common enclosure.

Stairway (2) means an inclined means of escape between two decks.

Standard fire test means a test in which a specimen is exposed in a test furnace to temperatures corresponding to the standard time-temperature curve. The specimen must resemble, as closely as possible, the intended construction and include, where appropriate, at least one joint. The standard time-temperature curve is defined by a smooth curve drawn through the following points, starting at ambient temperature:

Steel or equivalent material means steel or any noncombustible material that, by itself or due to insulation provided, has structural and integrity properties equivalent to steel at the end of the standard fire test.

Stepped main vertical zone means a main vertical zone in which the main vertical zone bulkhead is not in a continuous plane on adjoining decks.

Submersible vessel means a vessel that is capable of operating below the surface of the water.

Survival craft means a lifeboat, rigid liferaft, inflatable liferaft, life float, inflatable buoyant apparatus, buoyant apparatus, or a small boat carried aboard a vessel in accordance with § 117.200(b) of this subchapter.

Switchboard means an electrical panel that receives power from a generator, battery, or other electrical power source and distributes power directly or indirectly to all equipment supplied by the generating plant.

Third party examiner means an entity:

Trunk means a vertical shaft or duct for the passage of pipes, wires, or other devices.

Underwater Survey in Lieu of Drydocking (UWILD) means a program in which an eligible vessel may alternate between an underwater survey and the required drydock examinations.

Variable load means the weight of all items brought on board a vessel for which explicit account is not made in approved stability calculations, including but not limited to, personal effects, carry-on items, luggage, and equipment of any kind.

Vehicle space (11) means a space not on an open deck, for the carriage of motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks, into and from which such vehicles can be driven and to which passengers have access.

Veneer means a thin covering of combustible material on bulkheads, bulkhead panels, or furniture.

Vessel includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

Vessel of the United States means a vessel documented or numbered under the laws of the United States, the states of the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States.

Warm water means water where the monthly mean low water temperature is normally more than 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit).

Watertight means designed and constructed to withstand a static head of water without any leakage, except that “watertight” for the purposes of electrical equipment means enclosed so that water does not enter the equipment when a stream of water from a hose with a nozzle one inch in diameter that delivers at least 246 liters (65 gallons) per minute is sprayed on the enclosure from any direction from a distance of ten feet for five minutes.

Weather deck means a deck that is partially or completely exposed to the weather from above or from at least two sides.

Weathertight means that water will not penetrate in any sea condition, except that “weathertight equipment” means equipment constructed or protected so that exposure to a beating rain will not result in the entrance of water.

Well deck vessel means a vessel with a weather deck fitted with solid bulwarks that impede the drainage of water over the sides or a vessel with an exposed recess in the weather deck extending more than one-half of the length of the vessel measured over the weather deck.

Wire means an individual insulated conductor without an outer protective jacket.

Work space means a space, not normally occupied by a passenger, in which a crew member performs work and includes, but is not limited to, a galley, operating station, or machinery space.