---identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s131.520"source: "ecfr"legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"title: "46 CFR § 131.520 - Hatches and other openings."title_number: 46title_name: "Shipping"section_number: "131.520"section_name: "Hatches and other openings."chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"subchapter_number: "L"subchapter_name: "OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSELS"part_number: "131"part_name: "OPERATIONS"positive_law: falsecurrency: "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. 3306, 6101, 10104; E.O. 12234, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; E.O. 12777, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4. Section 131.990 also issued under sec. 617, Pub. L. 111-281, 124 Stat. 2905."regulatory_source: "CGD 82-004 and CGD 86-074, 62 FR 49340, Sept. 19, 1997, unless otherwise noted."cfr_part: "131"---
Identifier
/us/cfr/t46/s131.520
Currency
2026-03-24
Positive Law
No
Updated
2026-03-24
Chapter
Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security
Authority
33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101, 10104; E.O. 12234, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; E.O. 12777, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4. Section 131.990 also issued... 33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101, 10104; E.O. 12234, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; E.O. 12777, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4. Section 131.990 also issued under sec. 617, Pub. L. 111-281, 124 Stat. 2905.
# 131.520 Hatches and other openings.Before any vessel leaves protected waters, the master shall ensure that the vessel's exposed cargo hatches and other openings in the hull are closed; made properly watertight by the use of tarpaulins, gaskets, or similar devices; and properly secured for sea.