46 CFR 144.135: Verifying compliance with design standards

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section says verification of compliance with the construction and arrangement design standards of this part must follow a table. The table sets the timing: before the COI is issued for a new vessel, and before a major conversion, alteration or non-replacement-in-kind installation is performed.

Applies toNew vessels, vessels undergoing a major conversion or alteration, and vessels getting a new installation that is not a "replacement in kind".

What it says

  1. Verification of compliance with the construction and arrangement design standards of this part must be performed according to Table 144.135.

    “Verification of compliance with the construction and arrangement design standards of this part must be performed according to the following table:”

  2. For a new vessel, the applicable requirements must be met before the COI is issued.

    46 CFR 144.135(a)“(a) A new vessel, Before the COI is issued.”

  3. For a vessel to undergo a major conversion or alteration to the hull, machinery, or equipment that may affect the vessel's safety, the applicable requirements must be met before the major conversion or alteration is performed.

    46 CFR 144.135(b)“Before the major conversion or alteration is performed.”

  4. For a vessel with a new installation that is not a "replacement in kind", the applicable requirements must be met before the new installation is performed.

    46 CFR 144.135(c)“Before the new installation is performed.”

Common questions

When must a new vessel meet the design standards?

A new vessel must meet the applicable requirements before the COI is issued.

“(a) A new vessel, Before the COI is issued.”

When must design standards be met for a major conversion or alteration?

The applicable requirements must be met before the major conversion or alteration is performed. This covers changes to the hull, machinery, or equipment that may affect the vessel's safety.

“Before the major conversion or alteration is performed.”

Do new installations need design standards verification?

Yes, if the new installation is not a "replacement in kind". The applicable requirements must be met before the new installation is performed.

“Before the new installation is performed.”

The text of 46 CFR 144.135

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Verification of compliance with design standards

Verification of compliance with the construction and arrangement design standards of this part must be performed according to the following table:

Table 144.135—Verification of Compliance With Design Standards If the vessel is— Then the applicable requirements must be met— (a) A new vessel, Before the COI is issued. (b) A vessel to undergo a major conversion or alteration to the hull, machinery, or equipment that may affect the vessel's safety, Before the major conversion or alteration is performed. (c) A vessel on which a new installation that is not a “replacement in kind”, Before the new installation is performed.

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.