Title 46ShippingRelease 119-73

§3707 Tanker minimum standards

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - Vessels and Seamen › Part Part B— - Inspection and Regulation of Vessels › Chapter CHAPTER 37— - CARRIAGE OF LIQUID BULK DANGEROUS CARGOES › § 3707

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

New tankers of at least 10,000 gross tons (measured under section 14502), or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 as set by the Secretary under section 14104, must have two separate remote steering control systems that can be used away from the navigation bridge; the main steering control in the steering gear compartment; communication gear and rudder angle indicators on the bridge, at the remote control station, and in the steering gear compartment; at least two identical power units for the main steering gear; a backup power source (either emergency electrical power or another independent source in the steering gear compartment); and automatic start/stop of power units with alarms at every steering station. Existing tankers of the same tonnage must have the two separate remote steering controls, the main control in the steering gear compartment, and the communications and rudder angle indicators at the bridge, remote station, and steering gear compartment.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §3707

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(a)A new tanker of at least 10,000 gross tons as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title shall be equipped with—
(1)2 remote steering gear control systems operable separately from the navigating bridge;
(2)the main steering gear control in the steering gear compartment;
(3)means of communications and rudder angle indicators on the navigating bridge, a remote steering gear control station, and the steering gear compartment;
(4)at least 2 identical and adequate power units for the main steering gear;
(5)an alternative and adequate power supply, either from an emergency source of electrical power or from another independent source of power located in the steering gear compartment; and
(6)means of automatic starting and stopping of power units with attendant alarms at all steering stations.
(b)An existing tanker of at least 10,000 gross tons as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title shall be equipped with—
(1)2 remote steering gear control systems operable separately from the navigating bridge;
(2)the main steering gear control in the steering gear compartment; and
(3)means of communications and rudder angle indicators on the navigating bridge, a remote steering gear control station, and the steering gear compartment.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised sectionSource section (U.S. Code) 3707(a)46:391a(7)(K) 3707(b)46:391a(7)(L) section 3707 requires compliance with certain minimum standards by a tanker, which is a self-propelled tank vessel. section 3707(a) requires new tankers of 10,000 gross tons or above, to have two remote steering gear control systems, a main steering gear control in the steering gear compartment, a means of communications and rudder angle indicators at specified locations, two or more specified power units for the main steering gear, an alternative and adequate power supply of specified characteristics, and a means of automatic operation of power units, with attendant alarms at all steering stations. section 3707(b) requires existing tankers of 10,000 gross tons or above, to have two remote steering gear control systems, a main steering gear control in the steering gear compartment, and a means of communication and rudder angle indicators at specified locations.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–324, § 716(1), inserted “as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title” after “10,000 gross tons” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–324, § 716(2), inserted “as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title” after “10,000 gross tons”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 3707

Title 46Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73