§175.110. General applicability. — Inbound Citations

(1) Except for an emergency situation, a vessel may not anchor or maintain station within the spectator area without the permission of the COTP Maryland-National Capital Region or designated Event PATCOM. The COTP Maryland-National Capital Region has designated this spectator area for commercial small passenger vessel use. This area is closed except for commercial small passenger vessels holding a valid Certificate of Inspection regulated under 46 CFR chapter I, subchapters K and T (46 CFR 114.110, and 175.110). Vessels that meet the requirements of this section may request access to the Severn River spectator area by contacting the City of Annapolis Harbormaster at (410) 263-7973 or email [email protected] to obtain a vessel spectator area application. Vessel spectator area applications shall be submitted no later than 10 calendar days prior to the event date. Applicants will be notified by the COTP Maryland-National Capital Region or COTP representative regarding status of applications and further instructions. All vessels shall contact the Event PATCOM on VHF-FM channels 16 or 22A prior to transiting to the spectator area to confirm entry approval. Vessels approved for spectator area access shall follow the instructions issued by the official patrol vessels or the Event PATCOM when entering the regulated area. The regulations for this event will restrict access to some of the anchorage grounds at Annapolis Harbor, MD, specifically Middle Ground Anchorage, South Anchorage, and Naval Anchorage for Small Craft, listed at 33 CFR 110.159(a)(1) through (4).

(2) Each ferryboat, and each small passenger vessel to which 46 CFR 175.110 applies, may monitor river activities using a portable radio from a vantage point other than the pilothouse.

(c) Vessels described by 46 CFR 175.110(c) must have an interconnected fire detection system in compliance with § 181.450 installed in all enclosed areas where passengers and crew have routine access, including accommodation spaces and machinery spaces.

On vessels described by 46 CFR 175.110(c), flammable items not otherwise covered by the regulations of this subchapter, such as rechargeable batteries, including lithium ion batteries utilized for commercial purposes, must be handled, stored, and operated in a way that mitigates the risk of hazardous conditions.

(b) For a vessel described by 46 CFR 175.110(c), the training program in paragraph (a) of this section must address firefighting proficiency and must include, but need not be limited to—

(1) Training in the use and location of firefighting equipment and general firefighting knowledge, including:

(i) Location of firefighting appliances and emergency escape routes;

(ii) Types and sources of ignition;

(iii) Flammable materials, fire hazards and spread of fire;

(iv) The need for constant vigilance;

(v) Actions to be taken on board;

(vi) Fire and smoke detection and automatic systems on board; and

(2) The drills required by § 185.524, including fire location and fire type; and

(i) At least monthly while such members are employed on board the vessels; and

(c) Vessels described by 46 CFR 175.110(d) must comply with the regulations in § 177.500.

(n) Vessels described by 46 CFR 175.110(d) must ensure that the two means of escape required in paragraph (b) of this section are unobstructed and the door, hatch, or scuttle is not located directly above, or dependent on, a berth.

(b) Vessels described by 46 CFR 175.110(d) must submit plans to the cognizant OCMI, in accordance with 46 CFR 176.700, for the installation and use of monitoring device to ensure the wakefulness of the watchmen required in paragraph (a) of this section. Vessels with a keel laid date after March 28, 2022, must include plans for the monitoring device(s) within the plan submissions required in 46 CFR 177.202. The Coast Guard will work with the vessel operators to determine a reasonable implementation schedule once the plans are accepted. The monitoring device(s) must:

(1) Ensure the wakefulness of the crew in the event that the watchman required in paragraph (a) of this section is unresponsive;

(2) Remain operable during the nighttime watch; and

(3) Be arranged to ensure proper coverage of the passenger accommodation spaces, common areas, and spaces with potential fire hazards.

(a) The master of a vessel described by 46 CFR 175.110(d) must conduct passenger emergency egress drills from the passengers' assigned overnight accommodation spaces prior to beginning an excursion with new passengers.

(1) If the passengers are not assigned an overnight accommodation space, the master of a vessel described by 46 CFR 175.110(d) must conduct passenger emergency egress drills from an accommodation space prior to beginning an excursion with new passengers.

(2) For the purposes of this section, excursion includes anytime the vessel gets underway, or anytime passengers remain overnight on the vessel.

(a) On vessels described by 46 CFR 175.110(d) of this chapter, a passenger safety bill must be posted by the master in each cabin or stateroom, and in passenger accommodation spaces.