104 LAWS GOVERNING MARINE INSPECTION 



Plans and specifications for construction or alteration of pas- 

 senger vessels; examination and approval by Commandant 

 of the Coast Guard 



46 U.S.C. 369 



(a) There shall be in the Coast. Guard a technical staff, consisting 

 of the Commandant and technical members who shall be selected for 

 their knowledge, skill, and practical experience in designing and 

 supervising the construction and operation of vessels propelled by 

 machinery, and they shall be competent judges of the character, 

 strength, stability, and safety qualities of such vessels and their 

 equipment. Such technical members shall be appointed by the Com- 

 mandant of the Coast Guard, without reference to the civil service 

 laws and regulations. The Commandant of the Coast Guard with 

 the advice and assistance of the technical staff so appointed shall 

 pass upon all contract plans and specifications for passenger vessels 

 of the United States of one hundred gross tons and over, propelled 

 by machinery, as provided for by subsection (b) of this section, in- 

 cluding the installation of tested and effective sprinkler systems, 

 and upon arrangement plans for all material alterations to existing 

 vessels. Such approval shall be given promptly and with due regard 

 to the orderly progress of the work but only when the Commandant 

 is satisfied, after a full and complete examination of the plans and 

 specifications, that the vessel, when built or altered, as the case may 

 be, can be navigated with safety to those on board. In case the said 

 Commandant shall disapprove such plans and specifications, the 

 person or persons submitting the same shall be apprised thereof the 

 reasons for such disapproval and advised of the amendments neces- 

 sary to secure such approval. The Commandant shall, at as early 

 a date as practicable, and from time to time thereafter as he shall 

 deem advisable, formulate and publish regulations and instructions 

 for the guidance of builders of prospective vessels showing the safety 

 characteristics of vessels which will meet the approval of the 

 Commandant. 



(b) No passenger vessel of the United States of one hundred gross 

 tons and over, propelled by machinery, the construction or material 

 alteration of which shall be begun subsequent to May 27, 1936, shall 

 be granted a certificate of inspection by the Coast Guard unless the 

 said general contract plans and specifications therefor shall have been 

 submitted at least in triplicate to and approved by the aforesaid 

 Conmiandant of the Coast Guard before the construction of such 

 vessel or alteration thereof shall have been commenced ; nor shall any 

 such vessel, the said plans or specifications for which have been mate- 

 rially altered subsequent to such approval be granted a certificate, as 

 aforesaid, unless such altered plans and specifications shall have been 

 submitted at least in triplicate to and approved by the said Com- 

 mandant, prior to such change in construction having been made. No 

 such certificate shall be granted to any such vessel which has not been 

 constructed and equipped in accordance with said plans and specifica- 

 tions approved as aforesaid : Provided^ That approved plans and cer- 

 tificates of the American Bureau of Shipping classed vessels may be 

 accepted by the Commandant as evidence of the stnictural efficiency 



