46 CFR § 115.635 - Preliminary examination requirements.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s115.635"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 115.635 - Preliminary examination requirements."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "115.635"
section_name: "Preliminary examination requirements."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "K"
subchapter_name: "SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS CARRYING MORE THAN 150 PASSENGERS OR WITH OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS FOR MORE THAN 49 PASSENGERS"
part_number: "115"
part_name: "INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3205, 3306, 3307; 49 U.S.C. App. 1804; E.O. 11735, 38 FR 21243, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 277; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4."
regulatory_source: "CGD 85-080, 61 FR 892, Jan. 10, 1996, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "115"
---


# 115.635 Preliminary examination requirements.

(a) If you exclusively use divers to examine the underwater hull plating, you must arrange to have a preliminary examination conducted by a third party examiner, with the assistance of qualified divers. The purpose of the preliminary examination is to assess the overall condition of the vessel's hull and identify any specific concerns to be addressed during the underwater hull examination.

(b) If you use an underwater ROV as the predominate means to examine your vessel's hull plating, a preliminary examination and the participation of a third party examiner will not be necessary.

(c) The preliminary examination is required only upon the vessel's entry or review into the AHE program.

[USCG-2000-6858, 67 FR 21081, Apr. 29, 2002]