46 CFR §178.420

1. (a)Except as follows, the cockpit on a cockpit vessel may be watertight:
   1. (1)A cockpit may have companionways if the companionway openings have watertight doors, or weathertight doors and coamings which meet § 179.360 of this subchapter.
   2. (2)A cockpit may have ventilation openings along its inner periphery if the vessel operates only on protected or partially protected waters.
2. (b)The cockpit deck of a cockpit vessel that operates on exposed or partially protected waters must be at least 255 millimeters (10 inches) above the deepest load waterline unless the vessel complies with:
   1. (1)The intact stability requirements of §§ 170.170, 170.173, 171.050, 171.055, and 171.057 in subchapter S of this chapter;
   2. (2)The Type II subdivision requirements in §§ 171.070, 171.072, and 171.073 in subchapter S of this chapter; and
   3. (3)The damage stability requirements in § 171.080 in subchapter S of this chapter.
3. (c)The cockpit deck of a cockpit vessel that does not operate on exposed or partially protected waters must be located as high above the deepest load waterline as practicable.
4. (d)The cockpit must be self-bailing. Scuppers or freeing ports for the cockpit deck of a cockpit vessel must:
   1. (1)Be located to allow rapid clearing of water in all probable conditions of list and trim;
   2. (2)Have a combined drainage area of at least the area required by § 178.450 of this part; and
   3. (3)If the deck is less than 255 millimeters (10 inches) above the deepest load waterline of the vessel, be fitted with non-return devices.