Regulations last checked for updates: May 04, 2025

Title 46 - Shipping last revised: Mar 17, 2025
§ 78.17-3 - Watertight doors.

(a) It shall be the duty of the master to see that all watertight doors in subdivision bulkheads that may be opened at sea, and all mechanisms, remote controls, and indicators connected therewith, shall be periodically inspected at least once in each week that the vessel is navigated to be assured that they are in proper operating condition. On vessels in which the voyage exceeds one week in duration, these doors shall be operated before the vessel leaves port. All such doors shall be operated daily.

(b) The date of the test and the condition of the equipment shall be noted in the official logbook.

authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 2103,3306,6101; 49 U.S.C. 5103,5106; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1
source: CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16955, Dec. 30, 1965, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 46 CFR 78.17-3