1625-0032 Stat/Authority

§ 71.50–17

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–02 Edition)

Once you complete these steps, the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection
(OCMI), will evaluate the results and
accept the examination as a credit hull
exam if the vessel is in satisfactory
condition. If divers are exclusively
used for the underwater survey portion
of the examination process, you may
receive credit for a period of time such
that subsequent AHEs would be conducted at intervals of twice in every
five years, with no more than three
years between any two AHEs. If an underwater ROV is used as the predominant 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.

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]

§ 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, 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

NOTE TO § 71.50–15: The expected hull coverage when using an ROV must be at least 80
percent.
[USCG–2000–6858, 67 FR 21077, Apr. 29, 2002]

§ 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

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Coast Guard, DOT

§ 71.50–27

(g) A preventative maintenance plan
for your vessel’s hull, its related systems and equipment.

§ 71.50–25 Alternative Hull Examination (AHE) procedure.
(a) To complete the underwater survey you must—
(1) Perform a general examination of
the underwater hull plating and a detailed examination of all hull welds,
propellers, tailshafts, rudders, and
other hull appurtenances;
(2) Examine all sea chests;
(3) Remove and inspect all sea valves
in the presence of a marine inspector;
(4) Remove all passengers from the
vessel when the sea valves are being examined, if required by the Officer in
Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI);
(5) Allow access to all internal areas
of the hull for examination, except internal tanks that carry fuel, sewage, or
potable water. Internal tanks that
carry fuel must be examined in accordance with § 71.53–1 of this part. Internal
sewage and potable water tanks may be
examined visually or by non-destructive testing to the satisfaction of the
attending marine inspector; and
(6) Meet the requirements in § 71.50–27
of this part.
(b) A marine inspector may examine
any other areas deemed necessary by
the OCMI.
(c) If the AHE reveals significant deterioration or damage to the vessel’s
hull plating or structural members, the
OCMI must be immediately notified.
The OCMI may require the vessel be
drydocked or otherwise taken out of
service to further assess the extent of
damage or to effect permanent repairs
if the assessment or repairs cannot be
completed to the satisfaction of the
OCMI while the vessel is waterborne.

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

§ 71.50–21 Preliminary examination requirements.
(a) If you exclusively use divers to
examine the underwater hull plating,
you must arrange to have a preliminary examination conducted by a third
party examiner, with the assistance of
qualified divers. The purpose of the
preliminary examination is to assess
the overall condition of the vessel’s
hull and identify any specific concerns
to be addressed during the underwater
hull examination.
(b) The preliminary examination is
required only upon the vessel’s entry
or reentry into the AHE program.
(c) If you use an underwater ROV as
the predominant means to examine
your vessel’s hull plating, a preliminary examination and the participation of a third party examiner will not
be necessary.
[USCG–2000–6858, 67 FR 21078, Apr. 29, 2002]

§ 71.50–23

Pre-survey meeting.

(a) In advance of each AHE, you must
conduct a pre-survey meeting to discuss the details of the AHE procedure
with the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI). If you exclusively use
divers to examine the underwater hull
plating, the third party examiner must
attend the meeting and you must
present the results of the preliminary
examination. If you use an underwater
remotely operated vehicle (ROV) as the
predominant means to examine the
vessel’s hull plating, then the pre-survey meeting must be attended by a representative of the ROV operating company who is qualified to discuss the
ROV’s capabilities and limitations of
your vessel’s hull design and configuration.
(b) A vessel owner, operator, or designated agent must request this meeting in writing at least 30 days in advance of the examination date.

[USCG–2000–6858, 67 FR 21078, Apr. 29, 2002]

§ 71.50–27 Alternative Hull Examination (AHE) program options: Divers
or underwater remotely operated
vehicle (ROV).
To conduct the underwater survey
portion of the AHE, you may use divers
or an underwater ROV.
(a) If you use divers to conduct the
underwater survey, you must:
(1) Locate the vessel so the divers can
work safely under the vessel’s keel and
around both sides. The water velocity
must be safe for dive operations;
(2) Provide permanent hull markings
or a temporary underwater grid system

[USCG–2000–6858, 67 FR 21078, Apr. 29, 2002]

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