46 CFR §42.07-40

1. (a)On behalf of the United States of America, under the provisions of Articles 13 and 16(3) and as provided in 46 U.S.C. 5107, the Commandant, at the request of a shipowner, may appoint any other recognized classification society, which he may approve, as the assigning and issuing authority who shall perform the same functions and duties as indicated in § 42.07-35 for the American Bureau of Shipping.
2. (b)The appointment of a recognized classification society as the assigning and issuing authority will be limited to vessels specifically designated by the Commandant.