---
kind: "range"
citation: "46 C.F.R. §§ 174.210–174.225"
title: "46"
from: "174.210"
to: "174.225"
count: 4
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/174.210..174.225"
---

# §174.210. Watertight doors in watertight bulkheads.

- (a) This section applies to each vessel with watertight doors in bulkheads made watertight in compliance with this chapter.
- (b) Except as provided by [paragraph (c)](#c) of this section, each watertight door must comply with [subpart H of part 170](/cfr/46/part170-subpartH.md) of this chapter.
- (c) A Class-1 door may be installed at any place if—
  - (1) The door has a quick-acting closing-device operative from both sides of the door;
  - (2) The door is designed to withstand a head of water equivalent to the depth from the sill of the door to the bulkhead deck or 3 meters (10 feet), whichever is greater; and
  - (3) **The vessel's pilothouse contains a visual indicator showing whether the door is open or closed.**
- (d) Each watertight door must be marked in compliance with [§ 131.893](/cfr/46/131.893.md) of this chapter.
- (e) If a Class-1 door is installed, the vessel's stability letter will require the master to ensure that the door is always closed except when being used for access.

# §174.215. Drainage of weather deck.


The weather deck must have open rails to allow rapid clearing of water, or must have freeing ports in compliance with [§ 42.15-70](/cfr/46/42.15-70.md) of this chapter.


# §174.220. Hatches and coamings.

- (a) Each hatch exposed to the weather must be watertight, except that the following hatches may be only weathertight:
  - (1) Each hatch on a watertight trunk that extends at least 430 millimeters (17 inches) above the weather deck.
  - (2) **Each hatch in a cabin top.**
- (b) **Each hatch cover must—**
  - (1) Have securing-devices; and
  - (2) Be attached to the hatch frame or coaming by hinges, captive chains, or other devices to prevent its loss.
- (c) Each hatch that provides access to quarters or to accommodation spaces for crew members or offshore workers must be capable of being opened and closed from either side.
- (d) Except as provided by [paragraph (e)](#e) of this section, a weathertight door with a permanent watertight coaming at least 380 millimeters (15 inches) high must be installed for each opening in a deckhouse or companionway that—
  - (1) Gives access into the hull; and
  - (2) **Is in an exposed place.**
- (e) If an opening in a deckhouse or companionway has a Class-1 watertight door installed, the height of the watertight coaming need only accommodate the door.

# §174.225. Hull penetrations and shell connections.


Each overboard discharge and shell connection except an engine exhaust must comply with §§ [56.50-95](/cfr/46/56.50-95.md) and [128.230](/cfr/46/128.230.md) of this chapter.