46 CFR 153.809: Requesting a Certificate of Compliance examination
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the steps an owner of a foreign flag vessel must follow to have the Coast Guard conduct a Certificate of Compliance examination required by § 153.808. The owner must notify the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection at least 7 days before the vessel arrives. The owner must also make certain that listed plans are on board before the examination begins.
Applies toIt applies to the owner of a foreign flag vessel wishing to have the Coast Guard conduct a Certificate of Compliance examination, as required by § 153.808.
What it says
The owner must notify the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection of the port where the vessel is to be inspected at least 7 days before the vessel arrives, and must arrange the exact time and other details of the examination.
46 CFR 153.809(a)“Notify the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection of the port where the vessel is to be inspected at least 7 days before the vessel arrives and arrange the exact time and other details of the examination.”
This notification is in addition to any other pre-arrival notice to the Coast Guard required by other regulations, but it may be concurrent with the endorsement application in § 153.9.
46 CFR 153.809(a)“This notification is in addition to any other pre-arrival notice to the Coast Guard required by other regulations, but may be concurrent with the endorsement application in § 153.9”
The notification must include the name of the vessel's first U.S. port of call.
46 CFR 153.809(a)(1)“The name of the vessel's first U.S. port of call;”
The notification must include the name and telephone number of the owner's local agent.
46 CFR 153.809(a)(3)“The name and telephone number of the owner's local agent; and”
The notification must include the names of all cargoes listed in table 1 of this part that are on board the vessel.
46 CFR 153.809(a)(4)“The names of all cargoes listed in table 1 of this part that are on board the vessel.”
Before the examination required by § 153.808 begins, the owner must make certain that the listed plans are on board the vessel and available to the Marine Inspector.
46 CFR 153.809(b)“Before the examination required by § 153.808 is begun, make certain that the following plans are on board the vessel and available to the Marine Inspector.”
The required plans include a schematic diagram of cargo piping on deck and in tanks, including the location of all valves and pumps.
46 CFR 153.809(b)(3)“A schematic diagram of cargo piping on deck and in tanks (including the location of all valves and pumps); and”
The required plans also include a schematic diagram of cargo tank vent piping, including the location of relief valves and flame screens.
46 CFR 153.809(b)(4)“A schematic diagram of cargo tank vent piping (including the location of relief valves and flame screens).”
Common questions
How much notice must I give the Coast Guard for a Certificate of Compliance examination?
The owner must notify the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection at least 7 days before the vessel arrives. The owner must also arrange the exact time and other details of the examination.
“Notify the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection of the port where the vessel is to be inspected at least 7 days before the vessel arrives and arrange the exact time and other details of the examination.”
What cargo information goes in the pre-arrival notice for a Certificate of Compliance examination?
The notice must include the names of all cargoes listed in table 1 of this part that are on board the vessel.
“The names of all cargoes listed in table 1 of this part that are on board the vessel.”
Must the vessel have a cargo tank vent piping diagram before the examination?
Yes. The owner must make certain that a schematic diagram of cargo tank vent piping, including the location of relief valves and flame screens, is on board and available to the Marine Inspector.
“A schematic diagram of cargo tank vent piping (including the location of relief valves and flame screens).”
The text of 46 CFR 153.809
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Procedures for having the Coast Guard examine a vessel for a Certificate of Compliance
The owner of a foreign flag vessel wishing to have the Coast Guard conduct a Certificate of Compliance examination, as required by § 153.808, must proceed as follows:
(a) Notify the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection of the port where the vessel is to be inspected at least 7 days before the vessel arrives and arrange the exact time and other details of the examination. This notification is in addition to any other pre-arrival notice to the Coast Guard required by other regulations, but may be concurrent with the endorsement application in § 153.9, and must include—
(1) The name of the vessel's first U.S. port of call;
(2) The date that the vessel is scheduled to arrive;
(3) The name and telephone number of the owner's local agent; and
(4) The names of all cargoes listed in table 1 of this part that are on board the vessel.
(b) Before the examination required by § 153.808 is begun, make certain that the following plans are on board the vessel and available to the Marine Inspector. These plans include—
(1) A general arrangement (including the location of fire fighting, safety, and lifesaving gear);
(2) A capacity plan;
(3) A schematic diagram of cargo piping on deck and in tanks (including the location of all valves and pumps); and
(4) A schematic diagram of cargo tank vent piping (including the location of relief valves and flame screens).
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.