OPERATIONS

• Citation: 46 CFR Part 97
• Sections: 77

§ 97.01-1 General; preemptive effect.

(a) The provisions of this part shall apply to all vessels except as specifically noted in this part.

(b) The regulations in this part have preemptive effect over State or local regulations in the same field.

§ 97.01-2 Incorporation by reference.

(a) Certain material is incorporated by reference into this part with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To enforce any edition other than that specified in paragraph (b) of this section, the Coast Guard must publish notice of change in the Federal Register ; and the material must be available to the public. All approved material is available for inspection at Coast Guard Headquarters. Contact Commandant (CG-ENG-4), Attn: Lifesaving and Fire Safety Division, U.S. Coast Guard Stop 7509, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20593-7509 or contact the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. All material is available from the sources indicated in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) The material approved for incorporation by reference in this part and the sections affected are as follows:

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959

ASTM D 93-97, Standard Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Tester—97.15-55

ASTM Adjunct F 1626, Symbols for Use in Accordance with Regulation II-2/20 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention as amended PCN: 12-616260-01 (1996)—97.36-1

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Publications Section, 4 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7SR United Kingdom

Resolution A.654(16), Graphical Symbols for Fire Control Plans—97.36-1

§ 97.05-1 Duty of officers.

(a) Licensed deck officers are required to acquaint themselves with the latest information published by the Coast Guard and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency regarding aids to navigation. Neglect to do so is evidence of neglect of duty. It is desirable that vessels other than motorboats shall have available in the pilothouse for convenient reference at all times a file of the applicable Notice to Mariners.

(b) Local Notices to Mariners, published by each U.S. Coast Guard District, contain announcements and information on changes in aids to navigation and other marine information affecting the safety of navigation on oceans and coastwise and the Great Lakes. These notices may be obtained free of charge from the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Web site found at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName = lnmMain.

(c) Weekly Notices to Mariners (Worldwide coverage) are prepared jointly by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, National Ocean Service, and the U.S. Coast Guard. They include changes in aids to navigation and other important navigation safety information in assembled form for U.S. waters. Foreign marine information is also included in these notices. These notices are available without charge from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Web site found at http://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal.

§ 97.05-5 Charts and nautical publications.

As appropriate for the intended voyage, all vessels except barges, vessels operating exclusively on rivers, and motorboats other than those certificated for ocean or coastwise route, must carry adequate and up-to-date—

(a) Charts;

(b) Sailing directions;

(c) Coast pilots;

(d) Light lists;

(e) Notices to mariners;

(f) Tide tables;

(g) Current tables; and

(h) All other nautical publications necessary.

1

1 For United States vessels in or on the navigable waters of the United States, see 33 CFR 164.33.

§ 97.07-1 Notice and reporting of casualty and voyage records.

The requirements for providing notice and reporting of marine casualties and for retaining voyage records are contained in subpart 4.05 of this chapter.

§ 97.10-1 Application.

(a) The provisions of this subpart shall apply to all vessels carrying passengers.

§ 97.10-5 Persons excluded.

Masters and pilots shall exclude from the pilothouse and navigation bridge while underway, all persons not connected with the navigation of the vessel. However, licensed officers of vessels, persons regularly engaged in training, regulating, evaluating, or learning the profession of pilot, officials of the United States Coast Guard, United States Navy, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, National Ocean Service, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Maritime Administration, and National Transportation Safety Board may be allowed in the pilothouse or upon the navigation bridge upon the responsibility of the master or pilot.

§ 97.11-1 Posting.

If a stability letter is issued under § 170.120 of this chapter, it must be posted under glass or other suitable transparent material in the pilothouse of the vessel.

§ 97.12-1 Definition of a bulk solid cargo.

(a) A bulk solid cargo—

(1) Consists of particles, granules, or larger pieces of material generally uniform in composition;

(2) Is not grain; and

(3) Is loaded directly into a vessel's cargo space with no intermediate form of containment.

(b) Additional requirements for bulk solid materials needing special handling are contained in Part 148 of this chapter.

§ 97.12-3 Guidance for the master.

(a) The owner or operator of a vessel must provide the master with safe loading and stowage information for each bulk solid cargo that vessel will carry.

(b) The shipper of a bulk solid cargo, as defined in § 148.3 of this chapter, must provide the master of a vessel with information regarding the nature of the cargo in advance of loading operations. Additional requirements in § 148.60 of this chapter may also apply.

§ 97.12-5 Bulk solid cargoes that may liquefy.

If the information provided in § 97.12-3(a) or (b) indicates that the bulk solid cargo to be carried is prone to liquefy during carriage, due to small particle sizes and moisture content, then the requirements contained in § 148.450 of this chapter apply.

§ 97.12-10 Cargo securing manuals.

Each U.S.-flagged vessel that must comply with Chapter VI/5.6 or Chapter VII/5 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 as amended must have on board a cargo securing manual that meets the requirements of 33 CFR part 97.

§ 97.13-1 Muster lists, emergency signals, and manning.

The requirements for muster lists, emergency signals, and manning must be in accordance with subchapter W (Lifesaving Appliances and Arrangements) of this chapter.

§ 97.15-1 Application.

(a) Except as specifically noted, the provisions of this subpart shall apply to all vessels other than motorboats, and to all motorboats on an international voyage. Motorboats not on an international voyage shall meet the general intent of this subpart insofar as is reasonable and practicable with the exception that the logging of information is not required.

§ 97.15-3 Steering gear, whistle, and means of communication.

(a) On all vessels making a voyage of more than 48 hours' duration, the entire steering gear, the whistle, and the means of communication between the bridge or pilothouse and the engineroom shall be examined and tested by an officer of the vessel within a period of not more than 12 hours prior to departure. On all other vessels similar examinations and tests shall be made at least once in every week.

(b) The date of the test and the condition of the equipment shall be noted in the official logbook.

§ 97.15-5 Drafts and load line markings.

(a) The master of every vessel on an ocean, coastwise, or Great Lakes voyage shall enter the drafts of the vessel, forward and aft, in the official logbook when leaving port.

(b) On vessels subject to the requirements of subchapter E (Load Lines) of this chapter at the time of departure from port on an ocean, coastwise, or Great Lakes voyage, the master shall insert in the official logbook a statement of the position of the load line mark, port and starboard, in relation to the surface of the water in which the vessel is then floating.

(1) When an allowance for draft is made for density of the water in which the vessel is floating, this density is to be noted in the official logbook.

§ 97.15-7 Verification of vessel compliance with applicable stability requirements.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, after loading and prior to departure and at all other times necessary to assure the safety of the vessel, the master or person in charge shall determine that the vessel complies with all applicable stability requirements in the vessel's trim and stability book, stability letter, Certificate of Inspection, and Load Line Certificate, as the case may be. The vessel may not depart until it is in compliance with these requirements.

(b) When determining compliance with applicable stability requirements the vessel's draft, trim, and stability must be determined as necessary.

(c) If a log book is required by § 97.35, then the master or person in charge must enter an attestation statement verifying that the vessel complies with the applicable stability requirements at the times specified in paragraph (a) and any stability calculations made in support of the determination must be retained on board the vessel for the duration of the voyage.

(d) Stability verification is not required for tank barges whose Certificate of Inspection carries draft restrictions for purposes other than stability.

§ 97.15-10 Sanitation.

(a) It shall be the duty of the master and chief engineer to see that the vessel, and, in particular, the quarters are in a clean and sanitary condition. The chief engineer shall be responsible only for the sanitary condition of the engineering department.

§ 97.15-15 Examination of boilers and machinery.

It shall be the duty of the chief engineer when assuming charge of the boilers and machinery of a vessel to examine them thoroughly. If any parts thereof are in bad condition, the fact shall immediately be reported to the master, owner or agent, and the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.

§ 97.15-17 Loading doors.

(a) The master of a vessel fitted with loading doors shall assure that all loading doors are closed watertight and secured during the entire voyage except that—

(1) If a door cannot be opened or closed while the vessel is at a dock, it may be open while the vessel approaches and draws away from the dock, but only as far as necessary to enable the door to be immediately operated;

(2) If needed to operate the vessel, or embark and disembark passengers when the vessel is at anchor in protected waters, loading doors may be open provided that the master determines that the safety of the vessel is not impaired.

(b) For the purposes of this section, “loading doors” include all weathertight ramps, bow visors, and openings used to load personnel, equipment, cargo, and stores, in the collision bulkhead, the side shell, and the boundaries of enclosed superstructures that are continuous with the shell of the vessel.

(c) The master shall enter into the log book the time and door location of every closing of the loading doors.

(d) The master shall enter into the log book any opening of the doors in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section setting forth the time of the opening of the doors and the circumstances warranting this action.

§ 97.15-20 Hatches and other openings.

(a)(1) With the exception stated in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, it shall be the responsibility of the master to assure himself that all exposed cargo hatches and other openings in the hull of his vessel are closed, made properly watertight by the use of tarpaulins, gaskets or similar devices, and in all respects properly secured for sea before leaving protected waters.

(2) A vessel engaged in a voyage exclusively on Great Lakes waters and having 6 feet or more of freeboard, measured vertically from the water's edge at the lowest point of sheer to the top of deck at the ship's side, may, at the master's discretion, omit tarpaulins on the ship's hatches from 16 May through 15 September (both dates inclusive). This exemption does not relieve the master of any responsibility for the securing and protection of his hatches during the interval of exemption and, in case of indications of bad weather or other threatening conditions, he shall not leave protected waters until the exposed cargo hatches and other openings in the hull of his vessel are properly covered, secured and protected.

(b) The openings to which this section applies are as follows:

(1) Exposed cargo hatches.

(2) Gangway, cargo and coaling ports fitted below the freeboard deck.

(3) Port lights that are not accessible during navigation including the dead lights for such port lights.

(c) Vessels which, by their design, do not require cargo hatch closing devices and to which § 45.01-20 of subchapter E (Load Lines) of this chapter applies need not comply with the requirements of this section as to exposed cargo hatches.

(d) The master at his discretion may permit hatches or other openings to remain uncovered or open, or to be uncovered or opened for reasonable purposes such as ship's maintenance while the vessel is being navigated: Provided, That in his opinion existing conditions warrant such action.

(e) In the event the master employs the discretionary provisions of this section after leaving port he shall cause appropriate entries to be made in the official log or equivalent thereof setting forth the time of uncovering, opening, closing or covering of the hatches or other openings to which this section applies and the circumstances warranting the action taken.

(f) The discretionary provisions of this section shall not relieve the master of his responsibility for the safety of his vessel, her crew or cargo.

§ 97.15-30 Emergency lighting and power systems.

(a) Where fitted, it shall be the duty of the master to see that the emergency lighting and power systems are operated and inspected at least once in each week that the vessel is navigated to be assured that the system is in proper operating condition.

(b) Internal combustion engine driven emergency generators shall be operated under load for at least 2 hours, at least once in each month that the vessel is navigated.

(c) Storage batteries for emergency lighting and power systems shall be tested at least once each 6-month period that the vessel is navigated to demonstrate the ability of the storage battery to supply the emergency loads for the period of time specified in Table 112.05-5(a) of this chapter.

(d) The date of the tests and the condition and performance of the apparatus shall be noted in the official log book.

§ 97.15-35 Emergency training, musters, and drills.

Onboard training, musters, and drills must be in accordance with subchapter W (Lifesaving Appliances and Arrangements) of this chapter.

§ 97.15-55 Requirements for fuel oil.

(a) It shall be the duty of the chief engineer to cause an entry in the log to be made of each supply of fuel oil received on board, stating the quantity received, the name of the vendor, the name of the oil producer, and the flashpoint (Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Method, ASTM D 93 (incorporated by reference, see § 97.01-2)) for which it is certified by the producer.

(b) It shall be the further duty of the chief engineer to cause to be drawn and sealed and suitably labeled at the time the supply is received on board, a half-pint sample of each lot of fuel oil. These samples shall be preserved until the particular supply of oil is exhausted.

§ 97.15-60 Firefighting equipment, general.

(a) It shall be the duty of the owner, master, or person in charge to see that the vessel's firefighting equipment is at all times ready for use and that all such equipment required by the regulations in this subchapter is provided, maintained, and replaced as indicated.

(b) It shall be the duty of the owner, master, or person in charge to require and have performed at least once in every twelve months the tests and inspections of all hand portable fire extinguishers, semiportable fire extinguishing systems, and fixed fire extinguishing systems on board, as described in Tables 91.25-20(a)(1) and 91.25-20(a)(2) in § 91.25-20 of this subchapter. The owner, master, or person in charge shall keep records of such tests and inspections showing the dates when performed, the number and/or other identification of each unit tested and inspected, and the name(s) of the person(s) and/or company conducting the tests and inspections. Such records shall be made available to the inspector upon request and shall be kept for the period of validity of the vessel's current certificate of inspection. Where practicable these records should be kept in or with the vessel's log book. The conduct of these tests and inspections does not relieve the owner, master, or person in charge of his responsibility to maintain this firefighting equipment in proper condition at all times.

§ 97.15-75 Test of inflatable hopper gate seals on Great Lakes bulk dry cargo vessels.

(a) It is the duty of the Master to ensure that the inflatable hopper gate seals installed on vessels required to meet the damage stability requirements of subpart H of part 172 of this chapter are tested after each carriage of cargo.

(b) Where inflatable hopper gate seals are installed, the test must consist of inflating the seals and assuring they hold the design pressure for at least 15 minutes without a drop in pressure.

(c) The date of the test and the condition of the equipment must be noted in the vessel's official logbook.

§ 97.16-1 Use of auto pilot.

Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used in—

(a) Areas of high traffic density;

(b) Conditions of restricted visibility; and

(c) All other hazardous navigational situations, the master shall ensure that—

(1) It is possible to immediately establish manual control of the ship's steering;

(2) A competent person is ready at all times to take over steering control;

(3) The changeover from automatic to manual steering and vice versa is made by, or under, the supervision of the officer of the watch.

§ 97.19-1 Data required.

For each ocean and coastwise vessel of 1,600 gross tons or over, the following apply:

(a) The following maneuvering information must be prominently displayed in the pilothouse on a fact sheet:

(1) For full and half speed, a turning circle diagram to port and starboard that shows the time and the distance of advance and transfer required to alter the course 90 degrees with maximum rudder angle and constant power settings.

(2) The time and distance to stop the vessel from full and half speed while maintaining approximately the initial heading with minimum application of rudder.

(3) For each vessel with a fixed propeller, a table of shaft revolutions per minute for a representative range of speeds.

(4) For each vessel with a controllable pitch propeller a table of control settings or a representative range of speeds.

(5) For each vessel that is fitted with an auxiliary device to assist in maneuvering, such as a bow thruster, a table of vessel speeds at which the auxiliary device is effective in maneuvering the vessel.

(b) The maneuvering information must be provided in the normal load and normal light condition with normal trim for a particular condition of loading assuming the following—

(1) Calm weather—wind 10 knots or less, calm sea;

(2) No current;

(3) Deep water conditions—water depth twice the vessel's draft or greater; and

(4) Clean hull.

(c) At the bottom of the fact sheet, the following statement must appear:

Warning

The response of the (name of the vessel) may be different from those listed above if any of the following conditions, upon which the maneuvering information is based, are varied:

(1) Calm weather—wind 10 knots or less, calm sea;

(2) No current;

(3) Water depth twice the vessel's draft or greater;

(4) Clean hull; and

(5) Intermediate drafts or unusual trim.

(d) The information on the fact sheet must be:

(1) Verified six months after the vessel is placed in service; or

(2) Modified six months after the vessel is placed into service and verified within three months thereafter.

(e) The information that appears on the fact sheet may be obtained from:

(1) Trial trip observations;

(2) Model tests;

(3) Analytical calculations;

(4) Simulations;

(5) Information established from another vessel of similar hull form, power, rudder and propeller; or

(6) Any combination of the above.

The accuracy of the information in the fact sheet required is that attainable by ordinary shipboard navigation equipment.

(f) The requirements for information for fact sheets for specialized craft such as semi-submersibles, hydrofoils, hovercraft and other vessels of unusual design will be specified on a case by case basis.

§ 97.20-1 Unnecessary whistling prohibited.

(a) The unnecessary sounding of the vessel's whistle is prohibited within any harbor limits of the United States.

§ 97.25-1 Improper use prohibited.

(a) No person shall flash or cause to be flashed the rays of a searchlight or other blinding light onto the bridge or into the pilothouse of any vessel under way.

§ 97.27-5 Master's and officer's responsibility.

(a) Nothing in this part shall exonerate any master or officer in command from the consequences of any neglect to keep a proper lookout or to maintain a proper fire watch or from any neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen or by the special circumstances of the case. When circumstances require it, additional watches shall be maintained to guard against fire or other danger and to give an alarm in case of accident or disaster.

§ 97.30-1 Repairs to boilers and pressure vessels.

(a) Before making any repairs to boilers or unfired pressure vessels, the chief engineer shall submit a report covering the nature of the repairs to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, at or nearest to the port where the repairs are to be made.

§ 97.30-5 Accidents to machinery.

(a) In the event of an accident to a boiler, unfired pressure vessel, or machinery tending to render the further use of the item unsafe until repairs are made, or if by ordinary wear such items become unsafe, a report shall be made, by the chief engineer immediately to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, or if at sea immediately upon arrival at port.

§ 97.30-10 Notice required before repair.

(a) No repairs or alterations, except in an emergency, shall be made to any lifesaving or fire detecting or extinguishing equipment without advance notice to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection. When emergency repairs or alterations have been made, notice shall be given to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, as soon as practicable.

§ 97.33-1 When required.

On all vessels navigating in other than protected waters, where the distance between deckhouses is more than 46 meters (150 feet) a fixed means facilitating communication between both ends of the vessel, such as a raised fore and aft bridge or side tunnels, must be provided. Previously approved arrangements may be retained so long as they are maintained in good condition to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.

§ 97.34-1 Application.

(a) Provisions of this subpart shall apply to all vessels inspected and certificated in accordance with this subchapter.

§ 97.34-5 Approved types of work vests.

(a) Each buoyant work vest carried under the permissive authority of this section must be approved under—

(1) Subpart 160.053 of this chapter; or

(2) Subpart 160.077 of this chapter as a commercial hybrid PFD.

§ 97.34-10 Use.

(a) Approved buoyant work vests are considered to be items of safety apparel and may be carried aboard vessels to be worn by crew members when working near or over the water under favorable working conditions. They shall be used under the supervision and control of designated ship's officers. When carried, such vests shall not be accepted in lieu of any portion of the required number of approved life preservers and shall not be substituted for the approved life preservers required to be worn during drills and emergencies.

§ 97.34-15 Shipboard stowage.

(a) The approved buoyant work vests shall be stowed separately from the regular stowage of approved life preservers.

(b) The locations for the stowage of work vests shall be such as not to be easily confused with that for approved life preservers.

§ 97.34-20 Shipboard inspections.

(a) Each work vest shall be subject to examination by a marine inspector to determine its serviceability. If found to be satisfactory, it may be continued in service, but shall not be stamped by a marine inspector with a Coast Guard stamp. If a work vest is found not to be in a serviceable condition, then such work vest shall be removed from the vessel. If a work vest is beyond repair, it shall be destroyed or mutilated in the presence of a marine inspector so as to prevent its continued use as a work vest.

§ 97.34-25 Additional requirements for hybrid work vests.

(a) In addition to the other requirements in this subpart, commercial hybrid PFD's must be—

(1) Used, stowed, and maintained in accordance with the procedures set out in the manual required for these devices by § 160.077-29 of this chapter and any limitation(s) marked on them; and

(2) Of the same or similar design and have the same method of operation as each other hybrid PFD carried on board.

§ 97.35-1 Application.

(a) Except as specifically noted, the provisions of this subpart shall apply to all vessels other than motorboats and barges. Motorboats on an international or intercoastal voyage may be required to carry a logbook in accordance with § 97.35-10.

§ 97.35-3 Logbooks and records.

(a) The master or person in charge of a vessel that is required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have an official logbook shall maintain the logbook on form CG-706. When the voyage is completed, the master or person in charge shall file the logbook with the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.

(b) The master or person in charge of a vessel that is not required by 46 U.S.C. 11301 to have an official logbook, shall maintain, on board, an unofficial logbook or record in any form desired for the purposes of making entries therein as required by law or regulations in this subchapter. Such logs or records are not filed with the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, but must be kept available for review by a marine inspector for a period of 1 year after the date to which the records refer. Separate records of tests and inspections of fire fighting equipment must be maintained with the vessel's logs for the period of validity of the vessel's certificate of inspection.

§ 97.35-5 Actions required to be logged.

The actions and observations noted in this section shall be entered in the official log book. This section contains no requirements which are not made in other portions of this subchapter, the items being merely grouped together for convenience.

(a) Onboard training, musters, and drills: held in accordance with subchapter W (Lifesaving appliances and Arrangements) of this chapter.

(b) Steering Gear, Whistle, and Means of Communication. Prior to departure. See § 97.15-3.

(c) Drafts and Load Line Markings. Prior to leaving port, ocean, coastwise, and Great Lakes services only. See § 97.15-5.

(d) Verification of vessel compliance with applicable stability requirements. After loading and prior to departure and at all other times necessary to assure the safety of the vessel. See § 97.15-7.

(e) Loading doors. Where applicable, every closing and any opening when not docked. See § 97.15-17.

(f) Hatches and other openings. All openings and closings, or leaving port without closing. Except vessels on protected waters. See § 97.15-20.

(g) Emergency Lighting and Power Systems. Weekly and semi-annually. See § 97.15-30.

(h) Fuel oil data: Upon receipt of fuel oil on board. See § 97.15-55.

(i) Cargo gear inspections: At least once a month. See § 91.37-70 of this subchapter.

(j) Inflatable hopper gate seals. Where installed to comply with subpart G of part 172 of this chapter after each carriage of cargo. See § 97.15-75.

§ 97.36-1 When required.

Barges with sleeping accommodations for more than six persons and all self-propelled vessels shall have permanently exhibited for the guidance of the officer in charge of the vessel the following plans:

(a) General arrangement plans showing for each deck the fire control stations, the various sections enclosed by fire-resisting bulkheads, together with particulars of the fire alarms, detecting systems, the sprinkler installation (if any), the fire extinguishing appliances, means of access to different compartments, decks, etc., and the ventilating systems including particulars of the master fan controls, the positions of dampers, the location of the remote means of stopping fans, and identification numbers of the ventilating fans serving each section. If cargo compartments are “specially suitable for vehicles,” they shall be so indicated on the plan. Alternatively, at the discretion of the Commandant, the aforementioned details may be set out in any other medium, such as a booklet or on computer software, provided that the aforementioned details are available to each officer and a copy is retained on board at all times and is accessible during emergencies. For vessels constructed on or after September 30, 1997 or for existing vessels which have their plans redrawn, the symbols used to identify the aforementioned details shall be in accordance with IMO Assembly resolution A.654(16). These identical symbols can also be found in ASTM Adjunct F 1626 (incorporated by reference, see § 97.01-2).

(b) Plans showing clearly for each deck and hold the boundaries of the watertight compartments, the openings therein with the means of closure and position of any controls thereof, and the arrangements for the correction of any list due to flooding.

(c) The aforementioned information shall be kept up-to-date, any alteration being recorded in the applicable medium as soon as practicable.

§ 97.37-1 Application.

(a) The provisions of this subpart, with the exception of § 97.37-90, shall apply to all vessels contracted for on or after November 19, 1952. Vessels contracted for prior to November 19, 1952, shall meet the requirements of § 97.37-90.

§ 97.37-3 General.

(a) It is the intent of this subpart to provide such markings as are necessary for the guidance of the person on board in case of an emergency. In any specific case, and particularly on small vessels, where it can be shown to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, that the prescribed markings are unnecessary for the guidance of the persons on board in case of emergency, such markings may be modified or omitted.

(b) In addition to English, all stateroom notices, directional signs, etc., shall be printed in languages appropriate to the service of the vessel or other action be taken to achieve the same purpose.

(c) Where in this subpart red letters are specified, letters of a contrasting color on a red background will be accepted.

§ 97.37-5 General alarm bell contact maker.

Each general alarm contact maker must be marked in accordance with requirements in subchapter J (Electrical Engineering Regulations) of this chapter.

§ 97.37-7 General alarm bells.

(a) All general alarm bells shall be identified by red lettering at least

1/2 inch high:

“GENERAL ALARM—WHEN BELL RINGS GO TO YOUR STATION.”

(b) [Reserved]

§ 97.37-9 Carbon dioxide and clean agent alarms.

Each carbon dioxide or clean agent fire extinguishing alarm must be conspicuously marked: “WHEN ALARM SOUNDS VACATE AT ONCE. CARBON DIOXIDE OR CLEAN AGENT BEING RELEASED.”.