46 C.F.R. §§ 160.156-9–160.156-13

3 sections in range

§160.156-9. Preapproval review.

46 C.F.R. § 160.156-9

(a)

Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the Commandant must conduct the preapproval review, required by this section, in accordance with 46 CFR 159.005-5.

(b)

Manufacturer requirements. To seek Coast Guard approval of a rescue boat, the manufacturer must submit an application to the Commandant meeting the requirements of 46 CFR 159.005-5 for preapproval review. To meet the requirements of 46 CFR 159.005-5(a)(2), the manufacturer must submit—

(1)

A list of drawings, specifications, manuals, and any other documentation submitted, with each document identified by number, title, revision issue, and date;

(2)

General arrangement and assembly drawings, including principal dimensions;

(3)

Seating-arrangement plan, including a dimensioned seat form to scale;

(4)

A complete material list, with each material referenced to a U.S. national standard or, if a copy is provided in English, an equivalent international standard;

(5)

Plans for carriage and, in detail, stowage of equipment;

(6)

Hull, canopy, and critical parts lay-up schedule for Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) rescue boats, including fast rescue boats;

(7)

Hull and canopy construction drawings, including particulars of joints, welds, seams, and other fabricating details;

(8)

Weights and thickness of each major FRP structural component, including the hull, canopy, and inner liners, before outfitting;

(9)

Specification and identification of materials such as steel, aluminum, resin, foam, fiberglass, coated fabric, and plastic used in the rescue boat's manufacture;

(10)

Fabrication details for each major structural component, including details of each welded joint;

(11)

Lines plans;

(12)

Propulsion system specifications and arrangement and installation drawings;

(13)

Steering system drawings and specifications;

(14)

Release mechanism installation drawings and the mechanism's Coast Guard approval number;

(15)

Plans for critical subassemblies;

(16)

Hydraulic systems drawings and specifications, if installed;

(17)

Electrical system schematics and specifications;

(18)

Stability data, including righting arm curves in the light load and load condition for both intact and flooded;

(19)

Drawings of all signs and placards, showing actual inscription, format, color, size, and location on the rescue boat;

(20)

Complete data pertinent to the installation and use of the proposed rescue boat, including—

(i)

The light load (condition A) and full load (condition B) weights; and

(ii)

Complete details of the lifting arrangement to include enough detail for operators of the rescue boat to select a suitable release mechanism approved under subpart 160.133 or 160.170 of this part;

(21)

An operation, maintenance, and training manual as described in §§ 160.156-19 and 160.156-21 of this subpart;

(22)

A description of the quality control procedures and record keeping that will apply to the production of the rescue boat, which must include but is not limited to—

(i)

The system for checking material certifications received from suppliers;

(ii)

The method for controlling the inventory of materials;

(iii)

The method for checking quality of fabrication, seams, and joints, including welding inspection procedures; and

(iv)

The inspection checklists used during various stages of fabrication to assure that the approved rescue boat complies with the approved plans and the requirements of this subpart;

(23)

Full details of any other unique capability;

(24)

Any other drawing(s) necessary to show that the rescue boat complies with the requirements of this subpart;

(25)

The location or address of all manufacturing sites, including the name and address of any subcontractors, where the rescue boat will be constructed; and

(26)

The name of the independent laboratory that will perform the duties prescribed in §§ 160.156-11 and 160.156-15 of this subpart.

(c)

At the request of the manufacturer and discretion of the Commandant, an independent laboratory may conduct preapproval review required by this section so long as the preapproval review is conducted in accordance with the procedures agreed upon between the independent laboratory and Commandant under 46 CFR part 159, subpart 159.010.

(d)

Plan quality. The plans and specifications submitted to the Commandant under this section must—

(1)

Be provided in English, including all notes, inscriptions, and designations for configuration control;

(2)

Address each of the applicable items in paragraph (b) of this section in sufficient detail to show that the rescue boat meets the construction requirements of this subpart;

(3)

Accurately depict the proposed rescue boat;

(4)

Be internally consistent;

(5)

Be legible; and

(6)

If reviewed by an independent laboratory under paragraph (c) of this section, include the independent laboratory's attestation that the plans meet the quality requirements of this section.

(e)

Alternatives. Alternatives in materials, parts, or construction, and each item replaced by an alternative, must be clearly indicated as such in the plans and specifications submitted to the Commandant under this section.

(f)

Coast Guard review. If the plans or specifications do not comply with the requirements of this section, Coast Guard review may be suspended, and the applicant notified accordingly.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

Amendments

[USCG-2010-0048, 76 FR 62999, Oct. 11, 2011, as amended by 79 FR 44140, July 30, 2014]

Source

Source: USCG-2010-0048, 76 FR 62999, Oct. 11, 2011, unless otherwise noted.

Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306, 3703, 4302; E.O. 12234; 45 FR 58801; 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; and DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

Amendments

[USCG-2010-0048, 76 FR 62999, Oct. 11, 2011, as amended by 79 FR 44140, July 30, 2014]

§160.156-11. Fabrication of prototype rescue boats and fast rescue boats for approval.

46 C.F.R. § 160.156-11

(a)

If the manufacturer is notified that the information submitted in accordance with § 160.156-9 of this subpart is satisfactory to the Commandant, the manufacturer may proceed with fabrication of the prototype rescue boat as set forth in this section.

(b)

Unless the Commandant directs otherwise, an independent laboratory must perform or witness, as appropriate, inspections, tests, and oversight required by this section. Prototype inspections and tests of a rescue boat must be carried out in accordance with the procedures for independent laboratory inspection in 46 CFR part 159, subpart 159.007 and in this section, unless the Commandant authorizes alternative tests and inspections. The Commandant may prescribe additional prototype tests and inspections necessary to maintain quality control and to monitor compliance with the requirements of this subpart.

(c)

Fabrication of a rescue boat must proceed in the following sequence:

(1)

The manufacturer must arrange for an independent laboratory (or Coast Guard inspector if required under paragraph (b) of this section) to inspect, test, and oversee the rescue boat during its fabrication and prepare an inspection and test report meeting the requirements of 46 CFR 159.005-11.

(2)

The independent laboratory must make such inspections as are necessary to determine that the prototype is constructed by the methods and with the materials specified in the plans reviewed under § 160.156-9 of this subpart. By conducting at least one inspection during its construction, the independent laboratory must determine the prototype rescue boat conforms with those plans by inspecting—

(i)

Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Construction.

(A)

FRP components of each prototype rescue boat outer hull and any FRP inner hull or liner components that are bonded or bolted to the outer hull must have a layup made of unpigmented clear resins so that details of construction are visible for inspection. Test panels representative of each prototype layup must be tested in accordance with MIL-P-17549D(SH) (incorporated by reference, see § 160.156-5 of this subpart). If an accepted MIL-R-21607E(SH) Grade B resin is used for the prototype rescue boat, additives for fire retardancy must not be used so that the laminate is translucent for inspection purposes. A prototype test rescue boat with Grade B resins will not be marked in accordance with § 160.156-17 of this subpart for use as a production rescue boat regardless of the outcome of the performance tests. Whichever accepted resin the manufacturer decides to use for the prototype rescue boat, the same resin must be used in the production rescue boats.

(B)

The hull, canopy, and major structural laminates of each prototype FRP rescue boat must be tested for resin content, ultimate flexural strength, and tensile strength. The test samples must be cut out from the prototype rescue boat, or be laid up at the same time, using the same procedures and by the same operators as the laminate used in the rescue boat. The number of samples used for each test, and the conditions and test methods used, must be as per the applicable test specified in this paragraph. The resin content must be determined as per ASTM D 2584 or ISO 1172 (incorporated by reference, see § 160.156-5 of this subpart). The flexural ultimate strength must be determined by ASTM D 790 method I (test condition “A”, flatwise, dry) or the corresponding ISO 14125 test method (incorporated by reference, see § 160.156-5 of this subpart). The tensile strength, lengthwise, must be determined as per ASTM D 638 or ISO 527 (incorporated by reference, see § 160.156-5 of this subpart).

(C)

Each major FRP component, such as the hull, canopy, and inner liner(s) of each prototype FRP rescue boat, must be examined and weighed after it is completed but before it is assembled. If the rescue boat is constructed by the spray lay-up technique, the hull and canopy thicknesses must be measured using ultrasonic or equivalent techniques;

(ii)

Steel construction. Steel sheet and plate used for the hull, floors, and other structural components of a prototype steel rescue boat must meet the bend tests requirement specified under ASTM A 653 (incorporated by reference, see § 160.156-5 of this subpart) after galvanizing or other anti-corrosion treatment has been applied. This may be demonstrated through supplier's certification papers or through witnessing actual tests;

(iii)

Welding. Structural components of each prototype rescue boat joined by welding must be joined by the welding procedures and materials per the plans reviewed under § 160.156-9 of this subpart and by welders appropriately qualified;

(iv)

Buoyancy material. If block foam buoyancy material is used, each piece must be weighed after it is cut and shaped to make sure that the correct amount of foam is installed. If foamed-in-place buoyancy material is used, a separate sample of the foam must be poured, and used to make a density determination after it has set. The density must be 32 ±8 kg/m 3 (2 ±0.5 lb/ft 3). Each major subassembly such as the hull-with-liner and canopy-with-liner must be weighed after the buoyancy foam is installed and before it is further assembled;

(v)

Coated fabric. Coated fabric for inflatable collars used in the construction of each rescue boat must meet the requirements specified under § 160.156-7(b)(3) of this subpart. This may be demonstrated through a supplier's certification papers or through witnessing actual tests;

(vi)

Installation of the propulsion system; and

(vii)

Installation of the steering system.

(3)

The independent laboratory must submit the inspection report to the Commandant.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

Source

Source: USCG-2010-0048, 76 FR 62999, Oct. 11, 2011, unless otherwise noted.

Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306, 3703, 4302; E.O. 12234; 45 FR 58801; 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; and DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

§160.156-13. Approval inspections and tests for prototype rescue boats and fast rescue boats.

46 C.F.R. § 160.156-13

(a)

After the Commandant notifies the manufacturer that the prototype rescue boat is in compliance with the requirements of § 160.156-11 of this subpart, the manufacturer may proceed with the prototype approval inspections and tests required under this section. The prototype rescue boat, the construction of which was witnessed under § 160.135-11 of this part, must be used for the tests in this section.

(b)

Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, the Coast Guard must conduct the approval inspections and witness the approval tests required under this section.

(c)

Manufacturer requirements. To proceed with approval inspections and tests required by this section, the manufacturer must—

(1)

Notify the Commandant and cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) of where the approval inspections and tests required under this section will take place, and such notification must be in sufficient time to allow making travel arrangements;

(2)

Arrange a testing schedule that allows for a Coast Guard inspector to travel to the site where the testing is to be performed;

(3)

Admit the Coast Guard inspector to any place where work or testing is performed on rescue boats or their component parts and materials for the purpose of—

(i)

Conducting inspections as necessary to determine that the prototype is constructed by the methods and with the materials specified in the plans reviewed under § 160.156-9, and the inspection report under § 160.156-11, of this subpart;

(ii)

Assuring that the quality assurance program of the manufacturer is satisfactory;

(iii)

Witnessing tests; and

(iv)

Taking samples of parts or materials for additional inspections or tests; and

(4)

Make available to the Coast Guard inspector the affidavits or invoices from the suppliers of all essential materials used in the production of rescue boats, together with records identifying the lot or serial numbers of the rescue boats in which such materials were used.

(d)

Tests.

(1)

Prototype rescue boat readiness. All tests must be conducted on a completely outfitted rescue boat, including fixed equipment such as a compass, searchlight, and navigating lights. Loose equipment may be substituted by weights.

(2)

FRP prototype rescue boat lay-up. For the prototype of each design of an FRP rescue boat, the lay-up must be made of unpigmented resins and clear gel coat.

(3)

Fuel tank. Each non-portable fuel tank must be tested by a static head above the tank top of 3 m (10 ft) of water without showing any leaks or signs of permanent distortion.

(4)

IMO Revised recommendation on testing. Each prototype rescue boat of each design must pass each of the tests for the applicable hull type described in the IMO Revised recommendation on testing, part 1, section 7 (incorporated by reference, see § 160.156-5 of this subpart). Tests must be conducted in accordance with these paragraphs of IMO Revised recommendation on testing, Part 1, with the following modifications:

(i)

Fire retardancy/release mechanism and engine tests— (Paragraphs 1/6.2, 6.9, 6.10, 6.14). The tests in the following IMO Revised recommendation on testing paragraphs may be accomplished independent of the rescue boat, and may be considered completed and need not be repeated if the tests have been previously shown to meet the following necessary requirements—

(A)

Paragraphs 6.9.3 through 6.9.6;

(B)

Paragraphs 6.10.2 through 6.10.6; and

(C)

Paragraphs 6.14.6 through 6.14.8.

(ii)

Impact test— (Paragraph 1/6.4). The rigid vertical surface must not be displaced or deformed as a result of the test.

(iii)

Flooded stability test for rigid rescue boats only— (Paragraph 1/6.8). Any materials used to raise the test weights representing the rescue boat occupants above the seat pan must be at least as dense as fresh water.

(iv)

Rescue boat operational test, operation of engine— (Paragraph 1/7.1.5). For the 4-hour rescue boat maneuvering period, the rescue boat must not (except for a short period to measure towing force and to demonstrate towing fixture durability) be secured, and must be run through its full range of speeds and full range of all controls throughout the period.

(v)

Survival recovery test— (Paragraph 1/6.10.8). The recovery demonstration must show that no more than two crewmembers are required to recover a helpless person of ninety-fifth percentile by weight described in ASTM F 1166 (incorporated by reference, see § 160.156-5 of this subpart) while the crewmembers and helpless person are each wearing a lifejacket.

(vi)

Rescue boat seating space test— (Paragraph 1/7.1.3). The average mass of persons used to test the rescue boat seating space must be determined by weighing as a group or individually. Each person must wear an inherently buoyant SOLAS lifejacket with at least 150 N of buoyancy or a Coast Guard-approved lifejacket approved under approval series 160.155. The operator(s) must demonstrate that the rescue boat can be operated while wearing a Coast Guard approved, insulated-buoyant immersion suit approved under approval series 160.171. The Commandant will give consideration to requests to test at, and designate rescue boats for, a heavier occupant weight than that stated in the IMO LSA Code, chapter V (incorporated by reference, § 160.156-5 of this subpart).

(5)

Visual inspection. Each rescue boat must be visually inspected to confirm—

(i)

Compliance with this subpart;

(ii)

Conformance with the plans reviewed under § 160.156-9 of this subpart; and

(iii)

Ease of operation and maintenance.

(e)

Test waiver. The Commandant may waive certain tests for a rescue boat identical in construction to smaller and larger rescue boats that have successfully completed the tests. Tests associated with rescue boat components that have already been approved by the Commandant are not required to be repeated.

(f)

At the request of the manufacturer and discretion of the Commandant, an independent laboratory may perform approval inspections and witness approval tests required by this section so long as the inspections and tests are performed and witnessed in accordance with the procedures agreed upon between the independent laboratory and Commandant under 46 CFR part 159, subpart 159.010.

(g)

After completion of approval inspections and tests required by this section, the manufacturer must comply with the requirements of 46 CFR 159.005-9(a)(5) by preparing and submitting to the Commandant for review—

(1)

The prototype approval test report containing the same information recommended by IMO MSC Circ. 980 (incorporated by reference, see § 160.156-5 of this subpart). The report must include a signed statement by the Coast Guard inspector (or independent laboratory as permitted by paragraph (f) of this section) who witnessed the testing, indicating that the report accurately describes the testing and its results; and

(2)

The final plans of the rescue boat as built. The plans must include—

(i)

The instructions for training and maintenance described in §§ 160.156-19 and 160.156-21 of this subpart; and

(ii)

The final version of the plans required under § 160.156-9 of this subpart.

(h)

The Commandant will review the report and plans submitted under paragraph (g) of this section, and, if satisfactory to the Commandant, will approve the plans under 46 CFR 159.005-13.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

Source

Source: USCG-2010-0048, 76 FR 62999, Oct. 11, 2011, unless otherwise noted.

Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306, 3703, 4302; E.O. 12234; 45 FR 58801; 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; and DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

46 C.F.R. §§ 160.156-9–160.156-13

§160.156-9. Preapproval review.

Amendments

Source

Authority

Amendments

§160.156-11. Fabrication of prototype rescue boats and fast rescue boats for approval.

Source

Authority

§160.156-13. Approval inspections and tests for prototype rescue boats and fast rescue boats.

Source

Authority

Cite this provision

Incoming references