---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 179.330"
title: "46"
number: "179.330"
heading: "Watertight doors."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/179.330"
---

# §179.330. Watertight doors.

- (a) Hinged watertight doors are not permitted in bulkheads required by [§ 179.210](/cfr/46/179.210.md) or [§ 179.212](/cfr/46/179.212.md) unless the vessel will not proceed more than 20 nautical miles from shore and:
  - (1) The door separates a machinery space from an accommodation space and, in the judgment of the cognizant OCMI, the door will be kept closed except when a person is passing through the door; or
  - (2) The Commandant determines that, due to the arrangements of the vessel, the door will be kept closed except when a person is passing through the door.
- (b) A hinged watertight bulkhead door must be fitted with a quick action closing devise operable from both sides of the door and indicator lights at the operating station showing whether the door is open or closed.
- (c) Sliding watertight doors must meet the requirements of [part 170](/cfr/46/part170.md), [subpart H](/cfr/46/subpartH.md) in subchapter S of this chapter.
- (d) No more than one watertight door may be fitted in a watertight bulkhead, and it must be located as high and as far inboard as practicable.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1333; 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306, 3703; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

### Source

Source: CGD 85-080, 61 FR 971, Jan. 10, 1996, unless otherwise noted.