46 CFR 144.205: Structural standards for a new vessel

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets structural standards for a new vessel. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), a new vessel must comply with ABS standards that depend on the route it is certificated for. The structural standard selected must be applied throughout the vessel.

Applies toA new vessel to be certificated for service on the routes listed in the table in paragraph (a).

What it says

  1. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), a new vessel must comply with the standards established by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) in the table.

    46 CFR 144.205(a)“Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, a new vessels must comply with the standards established by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)”

  2. For lakes, bays, and sounds, limited coastwise, coastwise, and oceans routes, the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels Under 90 Meters (295 Feet) in Length apply, as incorporated by reference in § 136.112 of this subchapter.

    46 CFR 144.205(a)(1)“Steel Vessels Under 90 Meters (295 Feet) in Length (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter) apply; or”

  3. For rivers or intracoastal waterways routes, the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels for Service on Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways apply, as incorporated by reference in § 136.112 of this subchapter.

    46 CFR 144.205(a)(2)“Steel Vessels for Service on Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter) apply.”

  4. Alternate design standards to comply with this subpart may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.

    46 CFR 144.205(b)“Alternate design standards to comply with this subpart may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.”

  5. The current standards of a recognized classification society other than ABS may be used, provided the Coast Guard accepts them as providing an equivalent level of safety.

    46 CFR 144.205(c)“The current standards of a recognized classification society, other than ABS, may be used provided they are accepted by the Coast Guard as providing an equivalent level of safety.”

  6. The structural standard selected must be applied throughout the vessel, including design, construction, installation, maintenance, alteration, and repair.

    46 CFR 144.205(d)“The structural standard selected must be applied throughout the vessel including design, construction, installation, maintenance, alteration, and repair.”

  7. Deviations from the selected standard are subject to approval by the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center.

    46 CFR 144.205(d)“Deviations are subject to approval by the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center.”

Common questions

Can a new vessel use a classification society other than ABS?

Yes. The current standards of a recognized classification society other than ABS may be used, provided the Coast Guard accepts them as providing an equivalent level of safety.

“The current standards of a recognized classification society, other than ABS, may be used provided they are accepted by the Coast Guard as providing an equivalent level of safety.”

Who approves deviations from the structural standard?

Deviations are subject to approval by the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center.

“Deviations are subject to approval by the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center.”

Can alternate design standards be used for a new vessel?

Alternate design standards to comply with this subpart may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter. That section governs the approval.

“Alternate design standards to comply with this subpart may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.”

The text of 46 CFR 144.205

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

Structural standards for a new vessel

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, a new vessels must comply with the standards established by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) as provided in the following table.

Table 144.205(a)—Structural Standards for a New Vessel For a new vessel to be certificated for service on— ABS Rules for Building and Classing— (1) Lakes, bays, and sounds, limited coastwise, coastwise, and oceans routes; Steel Vessels Under 90 Meters (295 Feet) in Length (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter) apply; or (2) Rivers or intracoastal waterways routes Steel Vessels for Service on Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways (incorporated by reference, see § 136.112 of this subchapter) apply.

(b) Alternate design standards to comply with this subpart may be approved in accordance with § 136.115 of this subchapter.

(c) The current standards of a recognized classification society, other than ABS, may be used provided they are accepted by the Coast Guard as providing an equivalent level of safety.

(d) The structural standard selected must be applied throughout the vessel including design, construction, installation, maintenance, alteration, and repair. Deviations are subject to approval by the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center.

Sections it refers to

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.