---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 C.F.R. § 183.550"
title: "33"
number: "183.550"
heading: "Fuel tanks: Installation."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/33/183.550"
---

# §183.550. Fuel tanks: Installation.

- (a) Each fuel tank must not be integral with any boat structure or mounted on an engine.
- (b) Each fuel tank must not move at the mounting surface more than onefourth inch in any direction.
- (c) Each fuel tank must not support a deck, bulkhead, or other structural component.
- (d) Water must drain from the top surface of each metallic fuel tank when the boat is in its static floating position.
- (e) Each fuel tank support, chock, or strap that is not integral with a metallic fuel tank must be insulated from the tank surface by a nonmoisture absorbing material.
- (f) Cellular plastic must not be the sole support for a metallic fuel tank.
- (g) If cellular plastic is the sole support of a non-metallic fuel tank, the cellular plastic must meet the requirements of § [183.516 (b)](/cfr/33/183.516.md?p=b) or [(c)](/cfr/33/183.516.md?p=c).
- (h) Each fuel tank labeled under [§ 183.514(b)(8)](/cfr/33/183.514.md?p=b-8) for installation aft of the boat's half length must be installed with its center of gravity aft of the boat's half length.

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 74-209, 42 FR 5950, Jan. 31, 1977, as amended by CGD 81-092, 48 FR 55737, Dec. 15, 1983; USCG-1999-5832, 64 FR 34716, June 29, 1999]

### Source

Source: CGD 74-209, 42 FR 5950, Jan. 31, 1977, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 4302; Pub. L. 103-206, 107 Stat. 2439; and Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1, para. II, (92)(b). Subpart E is also authorized by Pub. L. 114-120, 130 Stat. 27

### Source

Source: CGD 72-61R, 37 FR 15782, Aug. 4, 1972, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 74-209, 42 FR 5950, Jan. 31, 1977, as amended by CGD 81-092, 48 FR 55737, Dec. 15, 1983; USCG-1999-5832, 64 FR 34716, June 29, 1999]