46 CFR 177.100: General construction and arrangement requirement for vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets a general requirement for how a vessel is built and arranged. The construction and arrangement must allow safe operation under the vessel's Certificate of Inspection. The text lists several matters to consider.
What it says
The construction and arrangement of a vessel must allow the safe operation of the vessel in accordance with the terms of its Certificate of Inspection.
“The construction and arrangement of a vessel must allow the safe operation of the vessel in accordance with the terms of its Certificate of Inspection”
In meeting this requirement, consideration must be given to a seaworthy hull, protection against fire, and means of escape in case of a sudden unexpected casualty.
“giving consideration to provisions for a seaworthy hull, protection against fire, means of escape in case of a sudden unexpected casualty”
Consideration must also be given to guards and rails in hazardous places, ventilation of enclosed spaces, and necessary facilities for passengers and crew.
“guards and rails in hazardous places, ventilation of enclosed spaces, and necessary facilities for passengers and crew”
Common questions
What must a vessel's construction and arrangement allow?
It must allow the safe operation of the vessel in accordance with the terms of its Certificate of Inspection.
“must allow the safe operation of the vessel in accordance with the terms of its Certificate of Inspection”
Does this section mention ventilation?
Yes. The section says consideration must be given to ventilation of enclosed spaces.
“ventilation of enclosed spaces, and necessary facilities for passengers and crew”
Does this section address fire protection and escape?
Yes. It lists protection against fire and means of escape in case of a sudden unexpected casualty among the matters to consider.
“protection against fire, means of escape in case of a sudden unexpected casualty”
The text of 46 CFR 177.100
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
General requirement
The construction and arrangement of a vessel must allow the safe operation of the vessel in accordance with the terms of its Certificate of Inspection giving consideration to provisions for a seaworthy hull, protection against fire, means of escape in case of a sudden unexpected casualty, guards and rails in hazardous places, ventilation of enclosed spaces, and necessary facilities for passengers and crew.
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.