---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 42.20-75"
title: "46"
number: "42.20-75"
heading: "Minimum freeboards."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/42.20-75"
---

# §42.20-75. Minimum freeboards.

- (a) **Summer freeboard.**
  - (1) The minimum freeboard in summer must be the freeboard derived from the tables in [§ 42.20-15](/cfr/46/42.20-15.md) as modified by the corrections in §§ [42.20-3](/cfr/46/42.20-3.md) and [42.20-5](/cfr/46/42.20-5.md), as applicable, and §§ [42.20-20](/cfr/46/42.20-20.md), [42.20-25](/cfr/46/42.20-25.md), [42.20-30](/cfr/46/42.20-30.md), [42.20-35](/cfr/46/42.20-35.md), [42.20-60](/cfr/46/42.20-60.md), [42.20-65](/cfr/46/42.20-65.md) and, if applicable, [§ 42.20-70](/cfr/46/42.20-70.md).
  - (2) The freeboard in salt water, as calculated in accordance with [paragraph (a)(1)](#a-1) of this section, but without the correction for deck line, as provided by [§ 42.20-35](/cfr/46/42.20-35.md), shall not be less than 2 inches. For vessels having in position 1 hatchways with covers which do not comply with the requirements of §§ [42.15-25(d)(1)](/cfr/46/42.15-25.md?p=d-1), [42.15-30](/cfr/46/42.15-30.md), or [42.15-80](/cfr/46/42.15-80.md), the freeboard shall be not less than 6 inches.
- (b) **Tropical freeboard.**
  - (1) The minimum tropical freeboard shall be the freeboard obtained by a deduction from the summer freeboard of one forty-eighth of the summer draft measured from the top of the keel to the center of the ring of the load line mark.
  - (2) The freeboard in salt water, as calculated in accordance with [paragraph (b)(1)](#b-1) of this section, but without the correction for deck line, as provided by [§ 42.20-35](/cfr/46/42.20-35.md), shall not be less than 2 inches. For vessels having in position 1 hatchways with covers which do not comply with the requirements of [§ 42.15-25(d)(1)](/cfr/46/42.15-25.md?p=d-1), [§ 42.15-30](/cfr/46/42.15-30.md), or [§ 42.15-80](/cfr/46/42.15-80.md), the freeboard shall be not less than 6 inches.
- (c) **Winter freeboard.**
  - (1) The minimum winter freeboard shall be the freeboard obtained by an addition to the summer freeboard of one forty-eighth of summer draft, measured from the top of the keel to the center of the ring of the load line mark.
- (d) **Winter North Atlantic freeboard.**
  - (1) The minimum freeboard for vessels of not more than 328 feet in length which enter any part of the North Atlantic defined in [§ 42.30-35](/cfr/46/42.30-35.md) during the winter seasonal period shall be the winter freeboard plus 2 inches. For other vessels the winter North Atlantic freeboard shall be the winter freeboard.
- (e) **Fresh water freeboard.**
  - (1) The minimum freeboard in fresh water of unit density shall be obtained by deducting from the minimum freeboard in salt water:
  - (2) Where the displacement at the summer load waterline cannot be certified, the deduction shall be one forty-eighth of summer draft, measured from the top of the keel to the center of the ring of the load line mark.

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGFR 68-60, 33 FR 10066, July 12, 1968, as amended by CGFR 68-126, 34 FR 9016, June 5, 1969; CGD 79-153, 48 FR 38650, Aug. 25, 1983]

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 5101-5116; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4; section 42.01-5 also issued under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 3507.

### Amendments

[CGFR 68-60, 33 FR 10066, July 12, 1968, as amended by CGFR 68-126, 34 FR 9016, June 5, 1969; CGD 79-153, 48 FR 38650, Aug. 25, 1983]