---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 183.370"
title: "46"
number: "183.370"
heading: "General grounding requirements."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/183.370"
---

# §183.370. General grounding requirements.

- (a) A vessel's hull must not carry current as a conductor except for the following systems:
  - (1) Impressed current cathodic protection systems; or
  - (2) **Battery systems for engine starting.**
- (b) Receptacle outlets and attachment plugs for portable lamps, tools, and similar apparatus operating at 100 volts or more, must have a grounding pole and a grounding conductor in the portable cord.
- (c) Each nonmetallic mast and top mast must have a lightning ground conductor.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306; 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 997, Jan. 10, 1996, unless otherwise noted.