Title 46ShippingRelease 119-73not60

§3707 Tanker Minimum Standards

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

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

New tankers of at least 10,000 gross tons (measured under section 14502 or by an alternate tonnage under sections 14302 and 14104 as set by the Secretary) must carry specific steering equipment. They must have two separate remote steering controls, the main steering control in the steering room, communications and rudder‑angle displays on the bridge, at a remote control station, and in the steering room, at least two identical power units for the main gear, a separate backup power source, and automatic start/stop for the power units with alarms at every steering station. Existing tankers of at least 10,000 gross tons (measured the same way) must have the two remote steering controls, the main control in the steering room, and the communications and rudder‑angle displays in the three locations named above.

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

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Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60