46 CFR § 174.020 - Alternate intact stability criterion.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s174.020"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 174.020 - Alternate intact stability criterion."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "174.020"
section_name: "Alternate intact stability criterion."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "S"
subchapter_name: "SUBDIVISION AND STABILITY"
part_number: "174"
part_name: "SPECIAL RULES PERTAINING TO SPECIFIC VESSEL TYPES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 9118, 9119, 9153; 43 U.S.C. 1333; 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3703; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. Section 174.180 also issued under sec. 617, Pub. L. 111-281, 124 Stat. 2905."
regulatory_source: "CGD 79-023, 48 FR 51048, Nov. 4, 1983, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "174"
---


# 174.020 Alternate intact stability criterion.

A barge need not comply with § 174.015 and subparts C and E of part 170 of this chapter if it has the following characteristics:

(a) The weather deck is watertight.

(b) The barge's hull proportions fall within any one of the ratios in categories (A) through (D) in Table 174.020.

(c) The maximum cargo height is 30 feet (9.25 meters) or a value equal to the depth of the barge amidships, whichever is less.

Table 174.020

| Category | Beam/depth ratio | Draft/depth ratio |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A | 3.00 to 3.74 | Equal to or less than 0.70. |
| B | 3.75 to 3.99 | Equal to or less than 0.72. |
| C | 4.00 to 4.49 | Equal to or less than 0.76. |
| D | 4,50 to 6.00 | Equal to or less than 0.80. |