46 CFR 91.25-25: Hull equipment tests and cargo gear certificates

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section lists the hull equipment tests inspectors conduct at each inspection for certification and periodic inspection. It also sets what cargo gear certificates and registers must show, and defines competent persons.

What it says

  1. At each inspection for certification and periodic inspection, inspectors must conduct the listed tests and inspections of hull equipment.

    46 CFR 91.25-25(a)“At each inspection for certification and periodic inspection, the inspectors shall conduct the following tests and inspections of hull equipment:”

  2. All watertight doors must be operated locally by manual power, and also by hydraulic or electric power if so fitted.

    46 CFR 91.25-25(a)(1)“All watertight doors shall be operated locally by manual power and also by hydraulic or electric power if so fitted.”

  3. The remote controls of all valves must be operated.

    46 CFR 91.25-25(a)(2)“The remote controls of all valves shall be operated.”

  4. The owner, operator or master must give the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection all current valid certificates and registers of cargo gear issued by an organization recognized by the Commandant under § 31.10-16.

    46 CFR 91.25-25(a)(3)“The owner, operator or master shall provide the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection with all current valid certificates and registers of cargo gear issued by an organization recognized by the Commandant under § 31.10-16.”

  5. Every acceptable cargo gear certificate or register must be properly executed by an authorized person.

    46 CFR 91.25-25(b)“Every acceptable cargo gear certificate and/or register shall be properly executed by a person authorized to do so and shall:”

  6. Cargo gear registers must have all required entries fully completed as of the dates indicated, and must be kept current.

    46 CFR 91.25-25(d)“The registers issued in connection with cargo gear certification must have all required entries fully completed as of the dates indicated, shall be kept current, and shall include the following:”

Common questions

What must a cargo gear certificate show?

It must certify the tests and examinations conducted and show the dates they were conducted. It must also indicate that the cargo gear complies with the standards of the issuing organization or association.

“Indicate that the cargo gear described in the certificate or register complies with the standards of the organization or association authorized to issue the certificate or register.”

How are watertight doors tested at inspection?

Inspectors operate them locally by manual power, and also by hydraulic or electric power if so fitted. Where remote control is fitted, they also operate the doors by the remote control apparatus.

“Where remote control is fitted, the doors shall also be operated by the remote control apparatus.”

Who counts as a competent person for cargo gear?

The text includes surveyors of a classification society recognized by the Commandant under 46 U.S.C. 3316. It also includes surveyors of a cargo gear organization recognized under § 31.10-16, and certain responsible officials or employees of testing organizations.

“Surveyors of a cargo gear organization recognized by the Commandant under § 31.10-16.”

The text of 46 CFR 91.25-25

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of March 31, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Hull equipment

(a) At each inspection for certification and periodic inspection, the inspectors shall conduct the following tests and inspections of hull equipment:

(1) All watertight doors shall be operated locally by manual power and also by hydraulic or electric power if so fitted. Where remote control is fitted, the doors shall also be operated by the remote control apparatus.

(2) The remote controls of all valves shall be operated.

(3) The owner, operator or master shall provide the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection with all current valid certificates and registers of cargo gear issued by an organization recognized by the Commandant under § 31.10-16.

(b) Every acceptable cargo gear certificate and/or register shall be properly executed by a person authorized to do so and shall:

(1) Certify as to the tests and examinations conducted;

(2) Show the dates on which the tests and examinations were conducted; and

(3) Indicate that the cargo gear described in the certificate or register complies with the standards of the organization or association authorized to issue the certificate or register.

(c) Competent persons for the purposes of this section are defined as—

(1) Surveyors of a classification society recognized by the Commandant under 46 U.S.C. 3316.

(2) Surveyors of a cargo gear organization recognized by the Commandant under § 31.10-16.

(3) Responsible officials or employees of the testing laboratories, companies, or organizations who conduct tests of pieces of loose cargo gear, wire rope, or the annealing of gear as may be required by the standards of the organization or association authorized to issue the certificate or register.

(d) The registers issued in connection with cargo gear certification must have all required entries fully completed as of the dates indicated, shall be kept current, and shall include the following:

(1) A register of the cargo handling machinery and the gear accessory thereto carried on the vessel named therein;

(2) Certification of the testing and examination of winches, derricks, and their accessory gear;

(3) Certification of the testing and examination of cranes, hoists, and their accessory gear;

(4) Certification of the testing and examination of chains, rings, hooks, shackles, swivels, and blocks;

(5) Certification of the testing and examination of wire rope;

(6) Certification of the heat-treatment of chains, rings, hooks, shackles, and swivels which require such treatment; and,

(7) Certification of the annual thorough examinations of gear not required to be periodically heat-treated.

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 March 31, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.