§ 157.455 Minimum under-keel clearance.

(a) The owner or operator of a tankship, that is not fitted with a double bottom that covers the entire cargo tank length, shall provide the tankship master with written under-keel clearance guidance that includes—

(1) Factors to consider when calculating the ship's deepest navigational draft;

(2) Factors to consider when calculating the anticipated controlling depth;

(3) Consideration of weather or environmental conditions; and

(4) Conditions which mandate when the tankship owner or operator shall be contacted prior to port entry or getting underway; if no such conditions exist, the guidance must contain a statement to that effect.

(b) Prior to entering the port or place of destination and prior to getting underway, the master of a tankship that is not fitted with the double bottom that covers the entire cargo tank length shall plan the ship's passage using guidance issued under paragraph (a) of this section and estimate the anticipated under-keel clearance. The tankship master and the pilot shall discuss the ship's planned transit including the anticipated under-keel clearance. An entry must be made in the tankship's official log or in other onboard documentation reflecting discussion of the ship's anticipated passage.

(c) The owner or operator of a tank barge, that is not fitted with a double bottom that covers the entire cargo tank length, shall not permit the barge to be towed unless the primary towing vessel master or operator has been provided with written under-keel clearance guidance that includes—

(1) Factors to consider when calculating the tank barge's deepest navigational draft;

(2) Factors to consider when calculating the anticipated controlling depth;

(3) Consideration of weather or environmental conditions; and

(4) Conditions which mandate when the tank barge owner or operator shall be contacted prior to port entry or getting underway; if no such conditions exist, the guidance must contain a statement to that effect.

[CGD 91–045, 62 FR 49608, Sept. 23, 1997]