46 CFR 189.35-5: Installation load tests and safety assessments
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section requires the owner or operator to conduct an installation load test and safety assessment. It requires notice to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, for tests in a port of the United States. It also says how tests should normally be done.
What it says
The owner or operator must conduct an installation load test and safety assessment.
46 CFR 189.35-5(a)“An installation load test and safety assessment shall be conducted by the owner or operator.”
Section 189.35-13 may be used as a guide for the safety assessment.
46 CFR 189.35-5(a)“Section 189.35-13 may be used as a guide for the safety assessment.”
When installation tests occur in a port of the United States, the owner or operator is responsible for notifying the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, of the time and place, so a marine inspector can witness the tests if desired.
46 CFR 189.35-5(a)“It shall be the responsibility of the owner or operator to notify the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, of the time and place of the installation tests when occurring in a port of the United States”
Later owner or operator conducted tests may be required at the vessel's inspection periods if a visual examination or review of the equipment record reveals evidence of an unsafe condition.
46 CFR 189.35-5(a)“Subsequent owner or operator conducted tests may be required at the time of the vessel's inspection periods if a visual examination or review of the equipment record reveals evidence of an unsafe condition.”
Tests should normally exercise the equipment as a unit with a proof load 25 percent in excess of the normal working load, but manufacturer's design limitations should not be exceeded.
46 CFR 189.35-5(a)“Tests should normally consist of exercising the equipment as a unit with a proof load 25 percent in excess of the equipment's normal working load, however manufacturer's design limitations should not be exceeded.”
Testers must consider the plans of loading, and must test braking, safety and limiting devices whenever feasible.
46 CFR 189.35-5(a)“Braking, safety and limiting devices shall be tested whenever feasible.”
Common questions
Who conducts the installation load test?
The owner or operator must conduct the installation load test and safety assessment.
“An installation load test and safety assessment shall be conducted by the owner or operator.”
What proof load should be used in a load test?
Tests should normally use a proof load 25 percent in excess of the equipment's normal working load. Manufacturer's design limitations should not be exceeded.
“Tests should normally consist of exercising the equipment as a unit with a proof load 25 percent in excess of the equipment's normal working load, however manufacturer's design limitations should not be exceeded.”
Who must be told about installation tests in a U.S. port?
The owner or operator must notify the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, of the time and place of the tests. This lets a marine inspector witness them if desired.
“It shall be the responsibility of the owner or operator to notify the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, of the time and place of the installation tests when occurring in a port of the United States”
Must braking and safety devices be tested?
Yes, braking, safety and limiting devices must be tested whenever feasible.
“Braking, safety and limiting devices shall be tested whenever feasible.”
The text of 46 CFR 189.35-5
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Tests
(a) An installation load test and safety assessment shall be conducted by the owner or operator. Section 189.35-13 may be used as a guide for the safety assessment. It shall be the responsibility of the owner or operator to notify the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, of the time and place of the installation tests when occurring in a port of the United States to permit a marine inspector to witness the tests if desired. Subsequent owner or operator conducted tests may be required at the time of the vessel's inspection periods if a visual examination or review of the equipment record reveals evidence of an unsafe condition. Tests should normally consist of exercising the equipment as a unit with a proof load 25 percent in excess of the equipment's normal working load, however manufacturer's design limitations should not be exceeded. Consideration shall be given to the plans of loading when conducting these tests. Braking, safety and limiting devices shall be tested whenever feasible.
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.