---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 174.210"
title: "46"
number: "174.210"
heading: "Watertight doors in watertight bulkheads."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/174.210"
---

# §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.

## Notes

### Source

Source: CGD 82-004 and CGD 86-074, 62 FR 49353, Sept. 19, 1997, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 9118, 9119, 9153; 43 U.S.C. 1333; 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3703; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. Section 174.180 also issued under sec. 617, Pub. L. 111-281, 124 Stat. 2905.

### Source

Source: CGD 79-023, 48 FR 51048, Nov. 4, 1983, unless otherwise noted.