---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 98.30-27"
title: "46"
number: "98.30-27"
heading: "Connections."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/98.30-27"
---

# §98.30-27. Connections.

- (a) **Each person who makes a connection for a transfer operation must—**
  - (1) Use suitable material in joints and couplings to make a tight seal;
  - (2) Use a bolt in at least every other hole and in no case less than four bolts in each temporary connection utilizing an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard flange coupling;
  - (3) Use a bolt in each hole of couplings other than ANSI standard flange couplings;
  - (4) Use a bolt in each hole of each permanently connected flange coupling;
  - (5) Use bolts of the same size in each bolted coupling; and
  - (6) **Tighten each bolt and nut uniformly to distribute the load.**
- (b) No person who makes a connection for a transfer operation may use any bolt that shows signs of strain or is elongated or deteriorated.
- (c) No person may use a connection for transfer operations unless it is—
  - (1) A bolted or full threaded connection; or
  - (2) **A quick-connect coupling accepted by the Coast Guard.**

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 73-172, 39 FR 22954, June 25, 1974, as amended by USCG-2011-0088, 78 FR 54787, Sept. 6, 2013]

### Source

Source: CGD 73-172, 39 FR 22954, June 25, 1974, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1903; 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3307, 3703; 49 U.S.C. App. 1804; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

### Source

Source: CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 17022, Dec. 30, 1965, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 73-172, 39 FR 22954, June 25, 1974, as amended by USCG-2011-0088, 78 FR 54787, Sept. 6, 2013]