33 CFR 164.39: Steering gear requirements for foreign tankers
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets steering gear requirements for certain foreign tankers in U.S. waters. The requirements come from Chapter II-1 of SOLAS 74 and depend on whether the tanker was constructed before or on or after September 1, 1984.
Applies toEach foreign tanker of 10,000 gross tons or more, except a public vessel, that transfers oil at a port or place under U.S. jurisdiction or otherwise enters or operates in the navigable waters of the United States, except a vessel described by § 164.02 of this part.
What it says
The section applies to a foreign tanker of 10,000 gross tons or more, except a public vessel, that transfers oil at a port or place subject to U.S. jurisdiction.
33 CFR 164.39(a)“This section applies to each foreign tanker of 10,000 gross tons or more, except a public vessel, that—”
The section also applies to such a tanker that otherwise enters or operates in the navigable waters of the United States, except a vessel described by § 164.02 of this part.
33 CFR 164.39(a)(2)“Otherwise enters or operates in the navigable waters of the United States, except a vessel described by § 164.02 of this part.”
Each tanker constructed on or after September 1, 1984, must meet the applicable requirements of Chapter II-1, Regulations 29 and 30, of SOLAS 74.
33 CFR 164.39(c)“Each tanker constructed on or after September 1, 1984, must meet the applicable requirements of Chapter II-1, Regulations 29 and 30, of SOLAS 74.”
Each tanker constructed before September 1, 1984, must meet the requirements of Chapter II-1, Regulation 29.19, of SOLAS 74.
33 CFR 164.39(d)“Each tanker constructed before September 1, 1984, must meet the requirements of Chapter II-1, Regulation 29.19, of SOLAS 74.”
A tanker of 40,000 gross tons or more, constructed before September 1, 1984, that does not meet the single-failure criterion of Chapter II-1, Regulation 29.16, of SOLAS 74, must meet Chapter II-1, Regulation 29.20, of SOLAS 74.
33 CFR 164.39(e)“Each tanker of 40,000 gross tons or more, constructed before September 1, 1984, that does not meet the single-failure criterion of Chapter II-1, Regulation 29.16, of SOLAS 74, must meet the requirements of Chapter II-1, Regulation 29.20, of SOLAS 74.”
Each tanker constructed before September 1, 1984, must meet the applicable requirements of Chapter II-1, Regulations 29.14 and 29.15, of SOLAS 74.
33 CFR 164.39(f)“Each tanker constructed before September 1, 1984, must meet the applicable requirements of Chapter II-1, Regulations 29.14 and 29.15, of SOLAS 74.”
Common questions
Which SOLAS 74 rules apply to tankers constructed on or after September 1, 1984?
Those tankers must meet the applicable requirements of Chapter II-1, Regulations 29 and 30, of SOLAS 74.
“Each tanker constructed on or after September 1, 1984, must meet the applicable requirements of Chapter II-1, Regulations 29 and 30, of SOLAS 74.”
What steering gear rule applies to tankers built before September 1, 1984?
Each such tanker must meet Chapter II-1, Regulation 29.19, of SOLAS 74. Paragraph (f) also requires the applicable requirements of Regulations 29.14 and 29.15.
“Each tanker constructed before September 1, 1984, must meet the requirements of Chapter II-1, Regulation 29.19, of SOLAS 74.”
What does SOLAS 74 mean in this section?
SOLAS 74 means the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended.
“SOLAS 74 means the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended.”
The text of 33 CFR 164.39
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Steering gear: Foreign tankers
(a) This section applies to each foreign tanker of 10,000 gross tons or more, except a public vessel, that—
(1) Transfers oil at a port or place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; or
(2) Otherwise enters or operates in the navigable waters of the United States, except a vessel described by § 164.02 of this part.
(b) Definitions. The terms used in this section are as follows:
Constructed means the same as in Chapter II-1, Regulations 1.1.2 and 1.1.3.1, of SOLAS 74.
Existing tanker means a tanker—
(1) For which the building contract is placed on or after June 1, 1979;
(2) In the absence of a building contract, the keel of which is laid or which is at a similar stage of construction on or after January 1, 1980;
(3) The delivery of which occurs on or after June 1, 1982; or
(4) That has undergone a major conversion contracted for on or after June 1, 1979; or construction of which was begun on or after January 1, 1980, or completed on or after June 1, 1982.
Public vessel, oil, hazardous materials, and foreign vessel mean the same as in 46 U.S.C. 2101.
SOLAS 74 means the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended.
Tanker means a self-propelled vessel defined as a tanker or a tank vessel by 46 U.S.C. 2101.
(c) Each tanker constructed on or after September 1, 1984, must meet the applicable requirements of Chapter II-1, Regulations 29 and 30, of SOLAS 74.
(d) Each tanker constructed before September 1, 1984, must meet the requirements of Chapter II-1, Regulation 29.19, of SOLAS 74.
(e) Each tanker of 40,000 gross tons or more, constructed before September 1, 1984, that does not meet the single-failure criterion of Chapter II-1, Regulation 29.16, of SOLAS 74, must meet the requirements of Chapter II-1, Regulation 29.20, of SOLAS 74.
(f) Each tanker constructed before September 1, 1984, must meet the applicable requirements of Chapter II-1, Regulations 29.14 and 29.15, of SOLAS 74.
Sections it refers to
- 33 CFR 164.02
- 46 U.S.C. 2101
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.