178.340—Stability standards for pontoon vessels on protected waters.
(a)
The portion of the deck accessible to passengers on a pontoon vessel must not extend beyond the outboard edge of either pontoon, nor beyond the forward or aft ends of the pontoons.
(b)
A pontoon vessel that has more than 2 pontoons or has decks higher than 150 milimeters (6 inches) above the pontoons must meet a stability standard acceptable to the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center.
(c)
A pontoon vessel must be in the condition described in § 178.330(a) of this part when the simplified stability proof test is performed, except that the simulated load of passengers, crew, and other weights is initially centered on the vessel so that trim and heel are minimized.
(d)
A pontoon vessel has the minimum acceptable level of initial stability if it meets the following:
(1)
With the simulated load located at the extreme outboard position of the deck on the side with the least initial freeboard, the remaining exposed cross sectional area of the pontoon on that side must be equal to or greater than the cross sectional area submerged due to the load shift, as indicated in Figure 178.340(d)(1); and
Code of Federal Regulations
(2)
With the simulated load located on the centerline at the extreme fore or aft end of the deck, whichever position is further from the initial position of the load, the top of the pontoon must not be submerged at any location, as indicated in Figure 178.340(d)(2).
Code of Federal Regulations
Code of Federal Regulations
221
[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 966, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended by CGD 97-057, 62 FR 51050, Sept. 30, 1997]