46 CFR § 183.115 - Applicability to existing vessels.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s183.115"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 183.115 - Applicability to existing vessels."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "183.115"
section_name: "Applicability to existing vessels."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "T"
subchapter_name: "SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS (UNDER 100 GROSS TONS)"
part_number: "183"
part_name: "ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
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 85-080, 61 FR 997, Jan. 10, 1996, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "183"
---
# 183.115 Applicability to existing vessels.
(a) Except as otherwise required by paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, an existing vessel must comply with the regulations on electrical installations, equipment, and material that were applicable to the vessel on March 10, 1996, or, as an alternative, the vessel may comply with the regulations in this part.
(b) An existing vessel must comply with the requirements of §§ 183.420 and 183.430.
(c) New installations of electrical equipment and material, and the repair or replacement of wire and cable, on an existing vessel, which are completed to the satisfaction of the cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) on or after March 11, 1996, must comply with this part. Replacement of existing equipment, not including wire or cable, installed on the vessel prior to March 11, 1996 need not comply with the regulations in this part.