46 CFR 2.01-13: Inspection of foreign vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section covers inspection of foreign vessels. Vessels from countries that are parties to the effective International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea are normally examined under chapter I of that Convention. Other foreign vessels may be inspected and certified under applicable inspection laws.

Applies toForeign vessels, whether registered in countries that are parties to the effective International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea or in countries that are not.

What it says

  1. Foreign vessels registered in countries that are parties to the effective International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea are normally subject to the examination provided for in chapter I of that Convention.

    46 CFR 2.01-13(a)“Foreign vessels registered in countries which are parties to the effective International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea are normally subject to the examination provided for in chapter I of that Convention.”

  2. A more extensive inspection may be required for a vessel with novel features of design or construction on which the Convention is silent, or which involve potential unusual operating risks, when considered necessary to safeguard the life or property in United States ports where the vessel may enter.

    46 CFR 2.01-13(a)“a more extensive inspection may be required when considered necessary to safeguard the life or property in United States ports where such vessel may enter.”

  3. In such a case, pertinent plans and/or calculations may be required to be submitted sufficiently in advance to permit evaluation before inspection.

    46 CFR 2.01-13(a)“pertinent plans and/or calculations may be required to be submitted sufficiently in advance to permit evaluation before inspection.”

  4. Foreign vessels from countries that are not parties to the effective Convention, or vessels exempted from part or all of the Convention, may be subject to inspection and certification under conditions specified in applicable inspection laws, as specified in regulations governing specific categories of vessels.

    46 CFR 2.01-13(b)“may under conditions specified in applicable inspection laws be subject to inspection and certification as specified in regulations governing specific categories of vessels.”

  5. For details on how regulations apply to foreign vessels, the section refers the reader to part 30, part 70, part 90, § 147.1, part 148, parts 153 and 154, and part 175 of this chapter.

    46 CFR 2.01-13(c)“For details concerning application of regulations to foreign vessels, see part 30 (Tank Vessels), part 70 (Passenger Vessels), part 90 (Cargo and Miscellaneous Vessels),”

Common questions

What examination do foreign vessels from SOLAS countries get?

They are normally subject to the examination provided for in chapter I of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea.

“are normally subject to the examination provided for in chapter I of that Convention.”

Can a foreign vessel face a more extensive inspection in U.S. ports?

Yes, for a vessel with novel features of design or construction, or potential unusual operating risks, when considered necessary to safeguard life or property in United States ports.

“a more extensive inspection may be required when considered necessary to safeguard the life or property in United States ports where such vessel may enter.”

Are foreign vessels from non-SOLAS countries inspected?

They may be subject to inspection and certification under conditions specified in applicable inspection laws, as specified in regulations governing specific categories of vessels.

“may under conditions specified in applicable inspection laws be subject to inspection and certification as specified in regulations governing specific categories of vessels.”

The text of 46 CFR 2.01-13

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

Inspection requirements—foreign vessels

(a) Foreign vessels registered in countries which are parties to the effective International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea are normally subject to the examination provided for in chapter I of that Convention. However, in the case of any vessel involving novel features of design or construction, upon which that Convention is silent or which involve potential unusual operating risks, a more extensive inspection may be required when considered necessary to safeguard the life or property in United States ports where such vessel may enter. In such a case, pertinent plans and/or calculations may be required to be submitted sufficiently in advance to permit evaluation before inspection.

(b) Foreign vessels registered in countries which are not parties to the effective International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, or foreign vessels registered in countries which are parties to the effective Convention but which vessels are exempted from part or all of the Convention, may under conditions specified in applicable inspection laws be subject to inspection and certification as specified in regulations governing specific categories of vessels.

(c) For details concerning application of regulations to foreign vessels, see part 30 (Tank Vessels), part 70 (Passenger Vessels), part 90 (Cargo and Miscellaneous Vessels), § 147.1 (Dangerous Cargoes), part 148 (Bulk Solid Hazardous Materials), parts 153 and 154 (Certain Bulk Dangerous Cargoes), and part 175 (Small Passenger Vessels) of this chapter.

Sections it refers to

  • 46 CFR part 30
  • 46 CFR part 70
  • 46 CFR part 90
  • 46 CFR 147.1 ↗
  • 46 CFR part 148
  • 46 CFR part 153
  • 46 CFR part 154
  • 46 CFR part 175

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.