This subpart establishes options for vessel owners and operators to obtain required international convention certification through means other than those prescribed elsewhere in this chapter.

This subpart applies to:

(a) Recognized classification societies; and

(b) All U.S. flag vessels that are certificated for international voyages and are classed by a recognized classification society that is authorized by the Coast Guard to issue the applicable international certificate as specified in this subpart.

(a) The Commandant may authorize a recognized classification society to issue certain international convention certificates. Authorization will be based on review of:

(1) Applicable class rules; and

(2) Applicable classification society procedures.

(b) The Coast Guard may delegate issuance of the following international convention certificates to a recognized classification society:

(1) International Load Line Certificate;

(2) International Tonnage Certificate (1969);

(3) SOLAS Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate;

(4) SOLAS Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate;

(5) International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk;

(6) International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk;

(7) International Maritime Organization (IMO) Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit Safety Certificate;

(8) MARPOL 73/78 International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate;

(9) MARPOL 73/78 International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk;

(10) SOLAS Passenger Ship Safety Certificate;

(11) High-Speed Craft Safety Certificate;

(12) MARPOL 73/78 International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate;

(13) International Anti-fouling System Certificate;

(14) MARPOL 73/78 International Energy Efficiency Certificate;

(15) Polar Ship Certificate.

(c) The Coast Guard will enter into a written agreement with a recognized classification society authorized to issue international convention certificates. This agreement will define the scope, terms, conditions and requirements of that delegation. Conditions of these agreements are presented in § 8.130.

(a) The Coast Guard may terminate an authorization agreement with a classification society if:

(1) The Commandant revokes the classification society's recognition, as specified in § 8.260; or

(2) The classification society fails to comply with the conditions of the authorization agreement as specified in § 8.130.

(b) In the event that a flag administration of a country changes conditions related to the authority that is delegated to ABS, the Commandant may modify or revoke the Coast Guard's authorization of that classification society that has its headquarters in that country.

(c) Certificates issued by a classification society which has had its authorization terminated will remain valid until the next classification society survey associated with that certificate is required or until the certificate expires, whichever occurs first.