46 CFR § 171.118 - Automatic ventilators and side ports.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s171.118"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 171.118 - Automatic ventilators and side ports."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "171.118"
section_name: "Automatic ventilators and side ports."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "S"
subchapter_name: "SUBDIVISION AND STABILITY"
part_number: "171"
part_name: "SPECIAL RULES PERTAINING TO VESSELS CARRYING PASSENGERS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306; 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 51017, Nov. 4, 1983, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "171"
---
# 171.118 Automatic ventilators and side ports.
(a) An automatic ventilator must not be fitted in the side of a vessel below the bulkhead deck unless approved by the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center.
(b) The design and construction of each gangway, cargo and coaling port, and similar opening in the side of a vessel must be approved by the Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Center.
(c) In no case may the lowest point of any gangway, cargo and coaling port, or similar opening be below the deepest subdivision load line.
[CGD 79-023, 48 FR 51017, Nov. 4, 1983, as amended by CGD 88-070, 53 FR 34537, Sept. 7, 1988]