BOATBUILDER'S HANDBOOK

General
 

FEDERAL LAW

183.601 - Applicability

This subpart applies to all boats that have gasoline engines for electrical generation, mechanical power, or propulsion.


FIGURE 1 - Applicability — All Recreational Boats with Gasoline Engines

TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW

To determine if this regulation is applicable:

  • Is there a gasoline engine on the boat?

FEDERAL LAW

183.605 - Definitions

As used in this subpart:

"Fuel" means gasoline.


Alcohol extended gasoline (gasohol) and other such gasoline based fuels are included in the defined term fuel.

Diesel fuel and compressed gaseous fuels (LPG, CNG, etc.) are not included.

FEDERAL LAW

183.605 - Definitions

As used in this subpart:

"Open to the atmosphere" means a compartment that has at least 15 square inches of open area directly exposed to the atmosphere for each cubic foot of net compartment volume.


A compartment
is any space in a boat that has length, width and height. It may be completely enclosed, partially enclosed or have one of its surfaces completely open. An example would be a compartment under a bow deck or a motor well where there is not an enclosing bulkhead. A canvas cover is considered the same as an enclosing bulkhead when in place.

Open areas are openings that are not specified. Open areas may be at the bottom, side or top of a compartment as long as:

  • the open area equals 15 square inches for each cubic foot of net compartment volume (See Figure 2), and
  • the opening is directly exposed to the atmosphere.

NOTE:
A number of openings may be added together in order to obtain the required total.
Openings into an open cockpit are acceptable.

FIGURE 2 - Open Area

NET COMPARTMENT VOLUME

Net compartment volume is the result of subtracting the volume of installed items of equipment and accessories from the total compartment volume.
Examples of items that may be subtracted include:

  • Engines
  • Tanks: Fuel, Water, etc.
  • Auxiliary Generators
  • Batteries
  • Accessory equipment such as refrigeration machinery, pressure fresh water systems, etc.
  • For outboard boats -one portable 6 gallon fuel tank, provided there is a defined storage location; i.e. straps or perimeters.

Examples of items that are not subtracted include:

  • Stowed Fenders
  • Stowed Anchors and Line
  • Stowed Chairs
  • Picnic Coolers
  • Other items that may or may not be in a compartment at any given time.

To assist in determining the amount of cubic feet to subtract, refer to Table I for suggested volumes of engines and batteries, and to Figure 3 for a graph of tank capacity vs. tank volume, in cubic feet.

TABLE I - Typical Volumes of Engines and Batteries

FIGURE 3 - Tank Volume


FEDERAL LAW

183.607 - Incorporation by reference.

(a) The following standards are incorporated by reference. Copies may be obtained from the sources indicated. They are also available for inspection at Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street, SW, Washington, DC 20593-0001 and at the Office of the Federal Register Library, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20408.

(1) AMCA Standard 210-74, Figure 12. Air Moving and Conditioning Association, 30 West University Drive, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004.

(2) ASTM Standard D 471. American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.

(3) UL Standard 1128, Underwriters Laboratories, Incorporated, 12 Laboratory Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3995.

(b) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference in paragraph (a)(2) on September 26, 1976 and the incorporation in paragraphs (a)(1) and (3) on March 24, 1978.


RESOURCES

Media and Marketing Materials

Members of the press, boating safety specialists and advocates, and the general public are invited to utilize any and all of the media and marketing materials in this section.

 

Photo Library

The U.S. Coast Guard has provided the Image Library as a resource tool for boating safety specialists, advocates and the general public.

 

Video Library

The U.S. Coast Guard has provided the Video Library as a resource tool for boating safety specialists, advocates and the general public.

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