Regulation 46 CFR 71.50-19

§ 71.50–17

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–14 Edition)

The OCMI may waive an underwater
survey in accordance with § 71.50–29(d)
provided that the interval does not exceed five years between any two underwater surveys. If an underwater ROV is
used as the predominate method to examine the vessel’s underwater hull
plating, you may receive credit up to
five years. At the end of this period,
you may apply for further participation under the AHE Program.

§ 71.50–19 The Alternative Hull Examination (AHE) Program application.
If your vessel meets the eligibility
criteria in § 71.50–17 of this part, you
may apply to the AHE Program. You
must submit an application at least 90
days before the requested hull examination date to the Officer in Charge,
Marine Inspection (OCMI), who will
oversee the hull examination. The application must include—
(a) The proposed time and place for
conducting the hull examination;
(b) The name of the participating
diving contractor and underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) company accepted by the OCMI under
§ 71.50–27 of this part;
(c) The name and qualifications of
the third party examiner. This person
must be familiar with the inspection
procedures and his or her responsibilities under this program. The OCMI has
the discretionary authority to accept
or deny use of any third party examiner using the criteria established in
§ 71.50–1 of this part;
(d) A signed statement from your
vessel’s master, chief engineer, or the
person in charge stating the vessel
meets the eligibility criteria of § 71.50–
17 of this part and a description of the
vessel’s overall condition, level of
maintenance, known or suspected damage, underwater body cleanliness (if
known), and the anticipated draft of
the vessel at the time of the examination;
(e) Plans or drawings that illustrate
the external details of the hull below
the sheer strake;
(f) A detailed plan for conducting the
hull examination in accordance with
§§ 71.50–25 and 71.50–27 of this part,
which must address all safety concerns
related to the removal of sea valves
during the inspection; and
(g) A preventative maintenance plan
for your vessel’s hull, its related systems and equipment.

NOTE TO § 71.50–15: The expected hull coverage when using an ROV must be at least 80
percent.
[USCG–2000–6858, 69 FR 47382, Aug. 5, 2004]

rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with CFR

§ 71.50–17 Eligibility requirements for
the Alternative Hull Examination
(AHE) Program for certain passenger vessels.
(a) Your vessel may be eligible for
the AHE Program if—
(1) It is constructed of steel or aluminum;
(2) It has an effective hull protection
system;
(3) It has operated exclusively in
fresh water since its last drydock examination;
(4) It operates in a reduced risk environment such as a river or the protected waters of a lake; and
(5) It operates exclusively in shallow
water or within 0.5 nautical miles from
shore.
(b) In addition to the requirements in
paragraph (a), the Officer in Charge,
Marine Inspection (OCMI), will evaluate the following information when determining your vessel’s eligibility for
the AHE Program:
(1) The overall condition of the vessel, based on its inspection history;
(2) The vessel’s history of hull casualties and hull-related deficiencies; and
(3) The AHE Program application, as
described in § 71.50–19 of this part.
(c) When reviewing a vessel’s eligibility for the AHE program, the OCMI
may modify the standards given by
paragraph (a)(5) of this section where it
is considered safe and reasonable to do
so. In making this determination, the
OCMI will consider the vessel’s overall
condition, its history of safe operation,
and any other factors that serve to
mitigate overall safety risks.

[USCG–2000–6858, 67 FR 21077, Apr. 29, 2002, as
amended by USCG–2000–6858, 69 FR 47382,
Aug. 5, 2004]

§ 71.50–21 Preliminary examination requirements.
(a) If you exclusively use divers to
examine the underwater hull plating,

[USCG–2000–6858, 67 FR 21077, Apr. 29, 2002]

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