46 CFR § 170.120 - Stability letter.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s170.120"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 170.120 - Stability letter."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "170.120"
section_name: "Stability letter."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "S"
subchapter_name: "SUBDIVISION AND STABILITY"
part_number: "170"
part_name: "STABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL INSPECTED VESSELS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "43 U.S.C. 1333; 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306, 3703; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1."
regulatory_source: "CGD 79-023, 48 FR 51010, Nov. 4, 1983, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "170"
---


# 170.120 Stability letter.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each vessel must have a stability letter issued by the Coast Guard before the vessel is placed into service. This letter sets forth conditions of operation.

(b) A stability letter is not required if the information can be placed on the Certificate of Inspection or the Load Line Certificate.

[CGD 79-023, 48 FR 51010, Nov. 4, 1983, as amended by CGD 95-028, 62 FR 51217, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2007-0030, 75 FR 78084, Dec. 14, 2010]