(a) A vessel must be provided with a satisfactory arrangement for draining any watertight compartment, other than small buoyancy compartments, under all practicable conditions. Sluice valves are not permitted in watertight bulkheads.

(b) Special consideration may be given to vessels, such as high speed craft, which have a high degree of subdivision and utilize numerous small buoyancy compartments. Where the probability of flooding of the space is limited to external hull damage, compartment drainage may be omitted provided it can be shown by stability calculations, submitted to the cognizant OCMI, that the safety of the vessel will not be impaired.

A vessel must be provided with a piping system that meets § 56.50-50 in subchapter F of this chapter, with the following exceptions:

(a) The space forward of the collision bulkhead need not be fitted with a bilge suction line when the arrangement of the vessel is such that ordinary leakage may be removed from this compartment by the use of a hand portable bilge pump or other equipment, and such equipment is provided; and

(b) The vessel need not comply with § 56.50-50(f) in subchapter F of this chapter.

(a) Each vessel must be provided with bilge pumps in accordance with § 56.50-55 in subchapter F of this chapter, with the following exceptions:

(1) Note 1 in Table 56.50-55(a) is not applicable and should be disregarded; and

(2) A non-self-propelled vessel must comply with § 56.50-55(a) in subchapter F of this chapter instead of § 56.50-55(b).

(b) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, a vessel of not more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length must have a portable hand bilge pump that must be:

(1) Capable of pumping water, but not necessarily simultaneously, from all watertight compartments; and

(2) Provided with suitable suction and discharge hoses capable of reaching the bilges of each watertight compartment, and discharging overboard.

(c) A second power pump is an acceptable alternative to a hand pump if it is supplied by a source independent of the first power bilge pump.

(a) Each vessel must be provided with a visual and audible alarm at the operating station to indicate a high water level in each of the following normally unmanned spaces:

(1) A space with a through-hull fitting below the deepest load waterline, such as a lazarette;

(2) A machinery space bilge, bilge well, shaft alley bilge, or other spaces subject to flooding from sea water piping within the space; and

(3) A space with a non-watertight closure , such as a space with a non-watertight hatch on the main deck.

(b) A visual indicator must be provided at the operating station to indicate when any automatic bilge pump is operating.

Solid and water ballast must comply with the requirements of subpart L of part 116 of this subchapter.