Classes of vessels (including motorboats) examined or inspected and certificated.

  1. Law
  2. CFR 46
  3. Shipping
  4. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security
  5. Procedures Applicable to the Public
  6. Vessel Inspections
  7. Inspecting and Certificating of Vessels
  8. Classes of vessels (including motorboats) examined or inspected and certificated.

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§ 2.01-7 Classes of vessels (including motorboats) examined or inspected and certificated.

(a) The regulations in this chapter concerning inspecting and certificating vessels are applicable to vessels (including motorboats) either as indicated in the following table 2.01-7(a) or, if the vessel is a towing vessel, as provided in paragraph (b) of this section.

Expand Table

Table 2.01-7(a)

Method of propulsion, qualified by size or other limitation1 Vessels inspected and certificated under Subchapter D - Tank Vessels2 Vessels inspected and certificated under Subchapter H - Passenger
Vessels2345 or Subchapter K or T - Small Passenger Vessels234 		Vessels inspected and certificated under Subchapter I - Cargo and
Miscellaneous
Vessels25 		Vessels subject to the provisions of Subchapter C - Uninspected
Vessels.23678 		Vessels subject to the provisions of Subchapter U - Oceanographic
Vessels23679 		Vessels subject to the provisions of Subchapter
O - Certain Bulk and
Dangerous
Cargoes10
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 Column 6 Column 7
(1) Motor, all vessels except seagoing motor vessels ≥300 gross tons All vessels carrying combustible or flammable liquid cargo in bulk.5 (i) All vessels carrying more than 12 passengers on an international voyage, except recreational vessels not engaged in trade.7
(ii) All vessels <100 gross tons that - 		All vessels >15 gross tons carrying freight-for-hire, except those covered by columns 2 and 3. All vessels carrying dangerous cargoes, when required by 46 CFR part 98 All vessels not covered by columns 2, 3, 4, and 6 None All vessels carrying cargoes in bulk that are listed in part 153, table 1, or part 154, table 4, or unlisted cargoes that would otherwise be subject to these parts.12
(A) Carry more than 6 passengers-for-hire whether chartered or not, or
(B) Carry more than 6 passengers when chartered with the crew provided, or
(C) Carry more than 12 passengers when chartered with no crew provided, or
(D) Carry at least 1 passenger-for-hire and are submersible vessels.7
(E) Carry more than 6 passengers and are ferries.
(iii) All vessels ≥100 gross tons that -
(A) Carry more than 12 passengers-for-hire whether chartered or not, or
(B) Carry more than 12 passengers when chartered with the crew provided, or
(C) Carry more than 12 passengers when chartered with no crew provided, or
(D) Carry at least 1 passenger-for-hire and are submersible vessels.7
(E) Carry at least 1 passenger and are ferries.
(iv) These regulations do not apply to -
(A) Recreational vessels not engaged in trade.
(B) Documented cargo or tank vessels issued a permit to carry 16 or fewer persons in addition to the crew.
(C) Fishing vessels not engaged in ocean or coastwise service. Such vessels may carry persons on the legitimate business of the vessel6 in addition to the crew, as restricted by the definition of passenger.7
(2) Motor, seagoing motor vessels ≥300 gross tons All vessels carrying combustible or flammable liquid cargo in bulk.5 (i) All vessels carrying more than 12 passengers on an international voyage, except recreational vessels not engaged in trade.7 All vessels, including recreational vessels not engaged in trade. This does not include vessels covered by columns 2 and 3, and vessels engaged in the fishing industry All vessels not covered by columns 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 All vessels engaged in oceanographic research All vessels carrying cargoes in bulk that are listed in part 153, table 1, or part 154, table 4, or unlisted cargoes that would otherwise be subject to these parts.12
(ii) All ferries <100 gross tons carrying more than 6 passengers and all ferries ≥100 gross tons that carry at least 1 passenger.
(iii) These regulations do not apply to -
(A) Recreational vessels not engaged in trade.
(B) Documented cargo or tank vessels issued a permit to carry 16 or fewer persons in addition to the crew.
(C) Fishing vessels not engaged in ocean or coastwise service may carry persons on the legitimate business of the vessel6 in addition to the crew, as restricted by the definition of passenger.7
(3) Non-self-propelled vessels <100 gross tons All vessels carrying combustible or flammable liquid cargo in bulk.5 (i) All vessels that -
(A) Carry more than 6 passengers-for-hire whether chartered or not, or
(B) Carry more than 6 passengers when chartered with the crew provided, or
(C) Carry more than 12 passengers when chartered with no crew provided, or		 All manned barges except those covered by columns 2 and 3 All barges except those covered by column 3 None All tank barges carrying cargoes listed in Table 151.05 of this chapter or unlisted cargoes that would otherwise be subject to part 151.11112
(D) Carry at least 1 passenger-for-hire and is a submersible vessel.7
(E) Carry more than 12 passengers on an international voyage.
(F) Carry more than 6 passengers and are ferries.
(4) Non-self-propelled vessels ≥100 gross tons All vessels carrying combustible or flammable liquid cargo in bulk.5 (iii) All vessels that -
(A) Carry more than 12 passengers-for-hire whether chartered or not, or
(B) Carry more than 12 passengers when chartered with the crew provided, or
(C) Carry more than 12 passengers when chartered with no crew provided, or
(D) Carry at least 1 passenger-for-hire and is a submersible vessel.7 		All seagoing barges except a seagoing barge that is covered by column 2 or 3, or that is unmanned for the purposes of operating or navigating the barge, and that carries neither a hazardous material as cargo nor a flammable or combustible liquid, including oil, in bulk quantities of 250 barrels or more All barges except those covered by columns 3 and 6 All seagoing barges engaged in oceanographic research All tank barges carrying cargoes listed in Table 151.05 of this chapter or unlisted cargoes that would otherwise be subject to part 151.11112
(E) Carry more than 12 passengers on an international voyage.
(F) Carry at least 1 passenger and are ferries
(5) Sail13 vessels ≤700 gross tons All vessels carrying combustible or flammable liquid cargo in bulk.5 (i) All vessels carrying more than 12 passengers on an international voyage, except recreational vessels not engaged in trade.7 All vessels carrying dangerous cargoes, when required by 46 CFR part 98 All vessels not covered by columns 2, 3, 4, and 6 None All vessels carrying cargoes in bulk that are listed in part 153, table 1, or part 154, table 4, or unlisted cargoes that would otherwise be subject to these parts.12
(ii) All vessels <100 gross tons that -
(A) Carry more than 6 passengers-for-hire whether chartered or not, or
(B) Carry more than 6 passengers when chartered with the crew provided, or
(C) Carry more than 12 passengers when chartered with no crew provided, or
(D) Carry at least 1 passenger-for-hire and are submersible vessels.7
(E) Carry more than 6 passengers and are ferries.
(iii) All vessels ≥100 gross tons that -
(A) Carry more than 12 passengers-for-hire whether chartered or not, or
(B) Carry more than 12 passengers when chartered with the crew provided, or
(C) Carry more than 12 passengers when chartered with no crew provided, or
(D) Carry at least 1 passenger-for-hire and are submersible vessels.7
(E) Carry at least 1 passenger and are ferries.
(iv) These regulations do not apply to -
(A) Recreational vehicles not engaged in trade.
(B) Documented cargo or tank vessels issued a permit to carry 16 or fewer persons in addition to the crew.
(C) Fishing vessels, not engaged in ocean or coastwise service. Such vessels may carry persons on the legitimate business of the vessel6 in addition to the crew, as restricted by the definition of passenger.7
(6) Sail13 vessels >700 gross tons All vessels carrying combustible or flammable liquid cargo in bulk.5 (i) All vessels carrying passengers or passengers-for-hire, except recreational vessels.7
(ii) All ferries that carry at least 1 passenger		 All vessels carrying dangerous cargoes, when required by 46 CFR part 98 All vessels not covered by columns 2, 3, 4, and 6 None All vessels carrying cargoes in bulk that are listed in part 153, Table 1, or part 154, Table 4, or unlisted cargoes that would otherwise be subject to these parts.12
(7) Steam, vessels ≤19.8 meters (65 feet) in length All vessels carrying combustible or flammable liquid cargo in bulk.5 (i) All vessels carrying more than 12 passengers on an international voyage, except recreational vessels not engaged in trade.7 All tugboats and towboats. All vessels carrying dangerous cargoes, when required by 46 CFR part 98 All vessels not covered by columns 2, 3, 4, and 6 None All vessels carrying cargoes in bulk that are listed in part 153, table 1, or part 154, table 4, or unlisted cargoes that would otherwise be subject to these parts.12
(ii) All vessels <100 gross tons that-
(A) Carry more than 6 passengers-for-hire whether chartered or not, or
(B) Carry more than 6 passengers when chartered with the crew provided, or
(C) Carry more than 12 passengers when chartered with no crew provided, or
(D) Carry at least 1 passenger-for-hire and are submersible vessels.7
(E) Carry more than 6 passengers and are ferries.
(iii) All vessels ≥100 gross tons that-
(A) Carry more than 12 passengers-for-hire whether chartered or not, or
(B) Carry more than 12 passengers when chartered with the crew provided, or
(C) Carry more than 12 passengers when chartered with no crew provided, or
(D) Carry at least 1 passenger-for-hire and are submersible vessels.7
(E) Carry at least 1 passenger and are ferries.
(iv) These regulations do not apply to -
(A) Recreational vessels not engaged in trade.
(B) Documented cargo or tank vessels issued a permit to carry 16 or fewer persons in addition to the crew.
(C) Fishing vessels not engaged in ocean or coastwise service. Such vessels may carry persons on the legitimate business of the vessel6 in addition to the crew, as restricted by the definition of passenger.7
(8) Steam, vessels >19.8 meters (65 feet) in length All vessels carrying combustible or flammable liquid cargo in bulk.5 (i) All vessels carrying more than 12 passengers on an international voyage, except recreational vessels not engaged in trade.7 All vessels not covered by columns 2, 3, 6, and 7 None All vessels engaged in oceanographic research All vessels carrying cargoes in bulk that are listed in part 153, Table 1, or part 154, Table 4, or unlisted cargoes that would otherwise be subject to these parts.12
(ii) All vessels <100 gross tons that -
(A) Carry more than 6 passengers-for-hire whether chartered or not, or
(B) Carry more than 6 passengers when chartered with the crew provided, or
(C) Carry more than 12 passengers when chartered with no crew provided, or
(D) Carry at least 1 passenger-for-hire and are submersible vessels.7
(E) Carry more than 6 passengers and are ferries.
(iii) All vessels ≥100 gross tons that -
(A) Carry more than 12 passengers-for-hire whether chartered or not, or
(B) Carry more than 12 passengers when chartered with the crew provided, or
(C) Carry more than 12 passengers when chartered with no crew provided, or
(D) Carry at least 1 passenger-for-hire and are submersible vessels.7
(E) Carry at least 1 passenger and are ferries.
(iv) These regulations do not apply to -
(A) Recreational vehicles not engaged in trade.
(B) Documented cargo or tank vessels issued a permit to carry 16 or fewer persons in addition to the crew.
(C) Fishing vessels not engaged in ocean or coastwise service. Such vessels may carry persons on the legitimate business of the vessel6 in addition to the crew, as restricted by the definition of passenger.7

Key to symbols used in this table: ≤means less than or equal to; >means greater than; <means less than; and ≥means greater than or equal to.

Footnotes:

1 Where length is used in this table, it means the length measured from end to end over the deck, excluding sheer. This expression means a straight line measurement of the overall length from the foremost part of the vessel to the aftermost part of the vessel, measured parallel to the centerline.

2 Subchapters E (Load Lines), F (Marine Engineering), J (Electrical Engineering), N (Dangerous Cargoes), S (Subdivision and Stability), and W (Lifesaving Appliances and Arrangements) of this chapter may also be applicable under certain conditions. The provisions of 49 CFR parts 171 through 179 apply whenever packaged hazardous materials are on board vessels (including motorboats), except when specifically exempted by law.

3 Public nautical schoolships, other than vessels of the Navy and Coast Guard, must meet the requirements of part 167 of subchapter R (Nautical Schools) of this chapter, Civilian nautical schoolships, as defined by 46 U.S.C. 1331, must meet the requirements of subchapter H (Passenger Vessels) and part 168 of subchapter R (Nautical Schools) of this chapter.

4 Subchapter H (Passenger Vessels) of this chapter covers only those vessels of 100 gross tons or more, subchapter T (Small Passenger Vessels) of this chapter covers only those vessels of less than 100 gross tons, and subchapter K (Small Passenger Vessels) of this chapter covers only those vessels less than 100 gross tons carrying more than 150 passengers or overnight accommodations for more than 49 passengers.

5 Vessels covered by subchapter H (Passenger Vessels) or I (Cargo and Miscellaneous Vessels) of this chapter, where the principal purpose or use of the vessel is not for the carriage of liquid cargo, may be granted a permit to carry a limited amount of flammable or combustible liquid cargo in bulk. The portion of the vessel used for the carriage of the flammable or combustible liquid cargo must meet the requirements of subchapter D (Tank Vessels) in addition to the requirements of subchapter H (Passenger Vessels) or I (Cargo and Miscellaneous Vessels) of this chapter.

6 Any vessel on an international voyage is subject to the requirements of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS).

7 The terms “passenger(s)” and “passenger(s)-for-hire” are as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101(21)(21a). On oceanographic vessels, scientific personnel onboard shall not be deemed to be passengers nor seamen, but for calculations of lifesaving equipment, etc., must be counted as persons.

8 Boilers and machinery are subject to examination on vessels over 40 feet in length.

9 Under 46 U.S.C. 441 an oceanographic research vessel “. . . being employed exclusively in instruction in oceanography or limnology, or both, or exclusively in oceanographic research, . . .. Under 46 U.S.C. 443, “an oceanographic research vessel shall not be deemed to be engaged in trade or commerce.” If or when an oceanographic vessel engages in trade or commerce, such vessel cannot operate under its certificate of inspection as an oceanographic vessel, but shall be inspected and certified for the service in which engaged, and the scientific personnel aboard then become persons employed in the business of the vessel.

10 Bulk dangerous cargoes are cargoes specified in table 151.01-10(b); in table 1 of part 153, and in table 4 of part 154 of this chapter.

11 For manned tankbarges, see § 151.01-10(c) of this chapter.

12 See § 151.01-15, 153.900(d), or 154.30 of this chapter as appropriate.

13 Sail vessel means a vessel with no auxiliary machinery on board. If the vessel has auxiliary machinery, refer to motor vessels.

(b)

(1) A U.S.-flag towing vessel is subject to inspection and certifying regulations in subchapter M of this chapter except:

(i) A vessel less than 26 feet (7.92 meters) in length measured from end to end over the deck (excluding the sheer), unless that vessel is pushing, pulling, or hauling a barge that is carrying oil or hazardous material in bulk;

(ii) A vessel engaged in one or more of the following:

(A) Assistance towing as defined in § 136.110 of this chapter;

(B) Towing recreational vessels for salvage; or

(C) Transporting or assisting the navigation of recreational vessels within and between marinas and marina facilities, within a limited geographic area, as determined by the local Captain of the Port;

(iii) A workboat operating exclusively within a worksite and performing intermittent towing within the worksite;

(iv) A seagoing towing vessel of 300 gross tons or more subject to the provisions of subchapter I of this chapter;

(v) A vessel inspected under other subchapters of this chapter that may perform occasional towing;

(vi) A public vessel as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101;

(vii) A vessel which has surrendered its Certificate of Inspection and is laid up, dismantled, or otherwise out of service; and

(viii) A propulsion unit used for the purpose of propelling or controlling the direction of a barge where the unit is controlled from the barge, is not normally manned, and is not utilized as an independent vessel.

(2) A towing vessel not subject to subchapter M of this chapter should refer to table 2.01-7 of this section.

(c) The specific application of regulations concerning inspecting and certificating vessels is set forth in the specific subchapter governing a particular class of vessels.

(1) For passenger vessels see part 70 of subchapter H (Passenger Vessels) of this chapter.

(2) For cargo and miscellaneous vessels see part 90 of subchapter I (Cargo and Miscellaneous Vessels) of this chapter.

(3) For tank vessels see part 30 of subchapter D (Tank Vessels) of this chapter.

(4) For small passenger vessels see part 114 of subchapter K (Small Passenger Vessels Carrying More Than 150 Passengers or with Overnight Accommodations for More Than 49 Passengers) and part 175 of subchapter T (Small Passenger Vessels) of this chapter.

(5) For uninspected vessels see part 24 of subchapter C (Uninspected Vessels) of this chapter.

(6) For vessels carrying certain bulk dangerous cargoes see subchapter O of this chapter.

(7) For towing vessels, see part 136 of subchapter M of this chapter.

[CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16604, Dec. 30, 1965]

Editorial Note

Editorial Note:

For Federal Register citations affecting § 2.01-7, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.


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