§3503 Fire-retardant Materials

Summary

Passenger vessels with cabins for 50 or more passengers must be built from fire-retardant materials and use engines, boilers, main electrical panels, fuel and oil tanks, and generators that meet current Coast Guard rules. Boilers and main electrical generators must sit inside noncombustible enclosures with fire suppression systems. Vessels built before January 1, 1968 that operate only inside the Boundary Line are exempt from this until December 1, 2028. Owners of those exempt older vessels must warn passengers and crew in writing before tickets are sold and post clear notices throughout the vessel, including in each stateroom, saying the vessel does not meet Coast Guard fire-safety rules. They must carry liability insurance set by the Federal Maritime Commission, each year alter at least 10% of the non-fire-retardant areas (starting with galleys and engineering spaces like where engines, boilers, main electrical panels, fuel/oil tanks, and generators are), and reduce combustible materials to the Coast Guard’s satisfaction during annual inspections. They must provide multiple exits at bow and stern, tell the Coast Guard in advance about structural work and follow its rules on noncombustible materials, notify ports of call and state emergency offices yearly that the vessel is noncompliant, give crew special Coast Guard-approved firefighting training that goes beyond the standards in effect on October 1, 2017, and try to keep or hire crew trained for these vessels. Owners cannot avoid liability for death, injury, or loss caused by fire from their negligence. The Coast Guard will audit these vessels yearly, write rules on how to follow these requirements, and may impose penalties under section 3504(c) or immediately withdraw a vessel’s inspection certificate for violations.