Federal regulations · Through 2026-08-25 · Newer source version available

46 CFR 128.130: Vital systems.

(a) Vital systems are those systems that are vital to a vessel's survivability and safety. For the purpose of this subchapter, the following are vital systems:
(1) Systems for fill, transfer, and service of fuel oil.
(2) Fire-main systems.
(3) Fixed gaseous fire-extinguishing systems.
(4) Bilge systems.
(5) Ballast systems.
(6) Steering systems and steering-control systems.
(7) Propulsion systems and their necessary auxiliaries and control systems.
(8) Systems for transfer and control of cargo, for integral tanks or fixed independent tanks, in compliance with § 125.110 of this subchapter.
(9) Ship's service and emergency electrical-generation systems and their auxiliaries vital to the vessel's survivability and safety.
(10) Any other marine-engineering system identified by the cognizant OCMI as crucial to the survival of the vessel or to the protection of the personnel aboard.
(b) For the purpose of this subchapter, a system not identified by paragraph (a) of this section is a non-vital system.

Where this section sits in the code

Title 46—Shipping
CHAPTER I—COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
SUBCHAPTER L—OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSELS
PART 128—MARINE ENGINEERING: EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
Subpart A—General

(a) Vital systems are those systems that are vital to a vessel's survivability and safety. For the purpose of this subchapter, the following are vital systems:

(1) Systems for fill, transfer, and service of fuel oil.

(2) Fire-main systems.

(3) Fixed gaseous fire-extinguishing systems.

(4) Bilge systems.

(5) Ballast systems.

(6) Steering systems and steering-control systems.

(7) Propulsion systems and their necessary auxiliaries and control systems.

(8) Systems for transfer and control of cargo, for integral tanks or fixed independent tanks, in compliance with § 125.110 of this subchapter.

(9) Ship's service and emergency electrical-generation systems and their auxiliaries vital to the vessel's survivability and safety.

(10) Any other marine-engineering system identified by the cognizant OCMI as crucial to the survival of the vessel or to the protection of the personnel aboard.

(b) For the purpose of this subchapter, a system not identified by paragraph (a) of this section is a non-vital system.

Collected 2026-08-27T02:26:22Z. Source file · JSON

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