46 CFR 167.15-20: Inspections and certificate renewal for nautical school ships

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section covers inspections of nautical school ships. The inspector inspects the vessel at each annual inspection, or oftener if deemed necessary. To renew a Certificate of Inspection, you must apply at least 30 days before the current certificate expires.

What it says

  1. At each annual inspection, or oftener if deemed necessary, the inspector will inspect the hull, boilers, machinery, equipment, and appliances generally for compliance with the regulations in this subpart.

    46 CFR 167.15-20(a)“At each annual inspection, or oftener if deemed necessary, the inspector will inspect the hull, boilers, machinery, equipment, and appliances generally for compliance with the regulations in this subpart”

  2. In addition, the inspector will inspect and test certain specific items as specifically set forth in this part.

    46 CFR 167.15-20(a)“in addition will inspect and test certain specific items as specifically set forth in this part.”

  3. To renew a Certificate of Inspection, you must submit an application at least 30 days before the vessel's current certificate expires.

    46 CFR 167.15-20(b)“To renew a Certificate of Inspection, you must submit an application at least 30 days before the expiration of the vessel's current certificate.”

Common questions

How often are nautical school ships inspected?

The inspector inspects at each annual inspection, or oftener if deemed necessary.

“At each annual inspection, or oftener if deemed necessary, the inspector will inspect the hull, boilers, machinery, equipment, and appliances generally”

When must I apply to renew a Certificate of Inspection?

You must submit an application at least 30 days before the vessel's current certificate expires.

“you must submit an application at least 30 days before the expiration of the vessel's current certificate.”

The text of 46 CFR 167.15-20

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

Inspections of nautical school ships

(a) At each annual inspection, or oftener if deemed necessary, the inspector will inspect the hull, boilers, machinery, equipment, and appliances generally for compliance with the regulations in this subpart and in addition will inspect and test certain specific items as specifically set forth in this part.

(b) To renew a Certificate of Inspection, you must submit an application at least 30 days before the expiration of the vessel's current certificate.

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.