46 CFR 144.305: Stability standards for a new vessel

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets stability standards for a new vessel. A new vessel must meet the applicable stability requirements of part 170 and, if applicable, of part 173, subpart E, of this chapter. It must also meet the requirements in Table 144.305, which depend on the waters the vessel is certificated to operate on.

Applies toEach new vessel.

What it says

  1. Each new vessel must meet the applicable stability requirements of part 170 and, if applicable, of part 173, subpart E, of this chapter, in addition to the requirements in the table.

    “Each new vessel must meet the applicable stability requirements of part 170 and, if applicable, of part 173, subpart E, of this chapter in addition to the requirements in the following table:”

  2. A new vessel certificated to operate on protected waters must meet § 170.173(e)(2) of this chapter.

    46 CFR 144.305(a)“Protected waters § 170.173(e)(2) of this chapter.”

  3. A new vessel certificated to operate on partially protected waters must meet §§ 170.170 and 170.173(e)(1) of this chapter.

    46 CFR 144.305(b)“Partially protected waters §§ 170.170 and 170.173(e)(1) of this chapter.”

  4. A new vessel certificated to operate on exposed waters, or that is assigned a load line, must meet §§ 170.170 and 174.145 of this chapter.

    46 CFR 144.305(c)“Exposed waters or that is assigned a load line §§ 170.170 and 174.145 of this chapter.”

Common questions

What stability rules apply to a new towing vessel on protected waters?

Besides the applicable part 170 and, if applicable, part 173 subpart E requirements, it must meet § 170.173(e)(2) of this chapter.

“Each new vessel must meet the applicable stability requirements of part 170 and, if applicable, of part 173, subpart E, of this chapter in addition to the requirements in the following table:”

Which sections apply to a new vessel on exposed waters or with a load line?

A new vessel certificated for exposed waters, or assigned a load line, must meet §§ 170.170 and 174.145 of this chapter.

“Exposed waters or that is assigned a load line §§ 170.170 and 174.145 of this chapter.”

The text of 46 CFR 144.305

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

Stability standards for a new vessel

Each new vessel must meet the applicable stability requirements of part 170 and, if applicable, of part 173, subpart E, of this chapter in addition to the requirements in the following table:

Table 144.305—Stability Standards for a New Vessel Each new vessel certificated to operate on— Must meet the requirements of— (a) Protected waters § 170.173(e)(2) of this chapter. (b) Partially protected waters §§ 170.170 and 170.173(e)(1) of this chapter. (c) Exposed waters or that is assigned a load line §§ 170.170 and 174.145 of this chapter.

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.