46 CFR 144.200: Structural standards for existing vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section says how an existing vessel may be deemed in compliance with this subpart on structure. The OCMI or TPO may deem it compliant if either of two conditions is met: it conforms to classification society rules without being classed, or it has satisfactory structural service.

Applies toExisting vessels that the OCMI or TPO may deem to be in compliance with this subpart.

What it says

  1. The OCMI or TPO may deem an existing vessel to be in compliance with this subpart if either of the two listed conditions is met.

    “An existing vessel may be deemed by the OCMI, or TPO, to be in compliance with this subpart provided that either:”

  2. One condition is that the vessel is built, equipped, and maintained to conform to the rules of a recognized classification society appropriate for the intended service and routes, but is not classed.

    46 CFR 144.200(a)“The vessel is built, equipped, and maintained to conform to the rules of a recognized classification society appropriate for the intended service and routes, but not classed; or”

  3. The other condition is that the vessel has been both in satisfactory service insofar as structural adequacy is concerned, and does not cause the OCMI, or the TPO engaged to perform an audit or survey, to question its structure.

    46 CFR 144.200(b)“The vessel has been both in satisfactory service insofar as structural adequacy is concerned and does not cause the structure of the vessel to be questioned by either the OCMI, or TPO engaged to perform an audit or survey.”

Common questions

Can an existing vessel meet structural standards without being classed?

Yes, if it is built, equipped, and maintained to conform to the rules of a recognized classification society appropriate for the intended service and routes. The vessel is not classed in this case.

“The vessel is built, equipped, and maintained to conform to the rules of a recognized classification society appropriate for the intended service and routes, but not classed; or”

Who decides whether an existing vessel complies with the structural standards?

The OCMI or TPO may deem an existing vessel to be in compliance with this subpart if either listed condition is met.

“An existing vessel may be deemed by the OCMI, or TPO, to be in compliance with this subpart provided that either:”

The text of 46 CFR 144.200

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

Structural standards for an existing vessel

An existing vessel may be deemed by the OCMI, or TPO, to be in compliance with this subpart provided that either:

(a) The vessel is built, equipped, and maintained to conform to the rules of a recognized classification society appropriate for the intended service and routes, but not classed; or

(b) The vessel has been both in satisfactory service insofar as structural adequacy is concerned and does not cause the structure of the vessel to be questioned by either the OCMI, or TPO engaged to perform an audit or survey.

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.