(a) Load lines are established for steam colliers, tugs, barges, and self-propelled barges engaged in special services in conformity with regulations in this part.

(b) Load lines for steam colliers, barges, and self-propelled barges engaged on specially limited coastwise voyages as described in § 44.01-12 shall be established pursuant to the regulations in this part.

(c) Variance for tugs is not permitted.

(a) The administrative provisions of §§ 42.01-1 to 42.11-20 inclusive of this subchapter, relating to vessels engaged in foreign and coastwise voyages, where applicable, shall apply to vessels subject to this part except as modified in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) Application for the assignment of load lines under this part for the types of vessels described in § 44.01-1 shall be made in writing to the American Bureau of Shipping unless another society has been specifically approved by the Commandant as a load line assigning authority. In the latter case application shall be made to the society so approved. Applications shall state the following information:

(1) Name of vessel and official number.

(2) Type of vessel (steam collier, barge, or self-propelled barge).

(3) Date keel was laid.

(4) Normal sea speed of vessel.

(5) Limits of voyage for which approval is requested.

(6) Normal maximum distance offshore in course of voyage.

(7) Length of voyage in days and nautical miles.

(8) Statement of weather conditions to be expected.

(9) Cargo to be carried.

(10) Whether vessel is to be operated manned or unmanned.

(a) Subject to the conditions contained in this part, the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, has determined that load lines at variance from the position fixed by the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966, but not above the actual line of safety, may be assigned steam colliers, barges, or self-propelled barges (separately by class) for certain specifically limited coastwise voyages between ports of the continental United States or between islands of a group over which the United States has jurisdiction.

(a) The assignment and marking of special service load lines and certifications thereof shall be in accordance with this part to the satisfaction of the American Bureau of Shipping. The load line certificate shall define the voyage limits and seasonal restrictions governing the validity of the load lines.

(a) Special service load lines may be assigned for operation not more than a specified limited distance offshore which shall not exceed 20 nautical miles. The offshore distance shall be measured from the coastline except where a line of inland waters has been otherwise established.

(b) For continental United States ports, special service load lines may be issued for operation between but not to exceed the extreme port limits specified below, or for operation between intermediate ports within the extreme limits specified:

(1) Central and Northern Atlantic Coast—From Norfolk, Virginia, to Eastport, Maine.

(2) Southeast Atlantic Coast—from Key West, Florida, to Jacksonville, Florida, except that the special service load line is not valid for manned vessels during the hurricane season, i.e., July 1st to November 15th, both dates inclusive, unless the vessel is operated in accordance with a Coast Guard approved heavy weather plan.

(3) Gulf of Mexico Coast—from the mouth of the Rio Grande River, Texas, to Key West, Florida, except that the special service load line is not valid for manned vessels during the hurricane season, i.e., July 1st to November 15th, both dates inclusive, unless the vessel is operated in accordance with a Coast Guard approved heavy weather plan.

(4) Pacific Coast—From San Francisco, California, to San Diego, California.

(c) Assignment of special service load lines for voyage limits between the islands of a group over which the United States has jurisdiction shall be made only upon authorization by the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, after submittal to him of the information called for by § 44.01-5(b).

(a) Each heavy weather plan under § 44.01-12(b) must be prepared by the vessel owner or operator and approved by the cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection. Approval of a heavy weather plan is limited to the current hurricane season.

(b) The cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, is—

(1) The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, within whose area the work site is located for a vessel that will be operating in a limited geographical area; or

(2) The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, within whose area the point of departure is located for a transiting vessel.

(c) The required content of the heavy weather plan is determined on a case-by-case basis by the cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, based on knowledge of the local conditions. The heavy weather plan may contain weather radio frequencies and time schedules for seeking a harbor of safe refuge. A single heavy weather plan may be accepted for more than one vessel operating at a single work site or on a single route.

(d) The vessel owner or operator must place a copy of the heavy weather plan on each vessel to which it applies and ensure that it remains there throughout the hurricane season.

(a) The use of the special service load line certificate issued under this part is limited to voyages only as described in the certificate. If the vessel engages on any voyage not contemplated by the certificate where a load line is required, the load line prescribed by part 42 of this subchapter shall govern.

(b) Vessels engaged on special services in the coastwise trade and the interisland trade will be certificated on the form shown in § 44.05-35.

(a) A new vessel marked with load lines for special service on a coastwise or inter-island voyage is a vessel whose keel was laid on or after September 28, 1937. An existing vessel is one whose keel was laid before that date.