---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 169.642"
title: "46"
number: "169.642"
heading: "Vital systems."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/169.642"
---

# §169.642. Vital systems.


For the purpose of this part, the following are considered vital systems—

- (a) A marine engineering system identified by the OCMI as being crucial to the survival of the vessel or to the protection of the personnel on board; and
- (b) **On vessels greater than 120 feet in length—**
  - (1) Bilge system;
  - (2) Ballast system;
  - (3) Fire protection system;
  - (4) Fuel oil system; and
  - (5) **Steering and steering control system.**

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101; Pub. L. 103-206, 107 Stat. 2439; E.O. 11735, 38 FR 21243, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 793; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4; § 169.117 also issued under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 3507.

### Source

Source: CGD 83-005, 51 FR 896, Jan. 9, 1986, unless otherwise noted.