46 CFR §171.116
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)A vessel may have port lights below the bulkhead deck if—
- (b)All port lights in a space must be non-opening if the sill of any port light in that space is below a line that—
- (c)For the purpose of paragraph (b) of this section, the beam of the vessel is measured at or below the deepest subdivision load line.
- (d)Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, no port light may be located in a space that is used exclusively for the carriage of cargo, stores, or coal.
- (e)A port light may be located in a space used alternately for the carriage of cargo or passengers.
- (f)Each port light installed below the bulkhead deck must conform to the following requirements:
- (1)The design of each port light must be approved by the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center.
- (2)Each non-opening port light must be watertight.
- (3)Each opening port light must be constructed so that it can be secured watertight.
- (4)Each opening port light must be installed with at least one bolt that is secured by a round slotted or recessed nut that requires a special wrench to remove. The nut must be protected by a sleeve or guard to prevent it from being removed with ordinary tools.