46 CFR §98.30-27

1. (a)Each person who makes a connection for a transfer operation must—
   1. (1)Use suitable material in joints and couplings to make a tight seal;
   2. (2)Use a bolt in at least every other hole and in no case less than four bolts in each temporary connection utilizing an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard flange coupling;
   3. (3)Use a bolt in each hole of couplings other than ANSI standard flange couplings;
   4. (4)Use a bolt in each hole of each permanently connected flange coupling;
   5. (5)Use bolts of the same size in each bolted coupling; and
   6. (6)Tighten each bolt and nut uniformly to distribute the load.
2. (b)No person who makes a connection for a transfer operation may use any bolt that shows signs of strain or is elongated or deteriorated.
3. (c)No person may use a connection for transfer operations unless it is—
   1. (1)A bolted or full threaded connection; or
   2. (2)A quick-connect coupling accepted by the Coast Guard.