46 CFR § 183.310 - Power sources.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s183.310"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 183.310 - Power sources."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "183.310"
section_name: "Power sources."
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: "2026-03-24"
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 85-080, 61 FR 997, Jan. 10, 1996, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "183"
---


# 183.310 Power sources.

(a)(1) Each vessel that relies on electricity to power the following loads must be arranged so that the loads can be energized from two sources of electricity:

(i) The vital systems listed in § 182.710 of this chapter;

(ii) Interior lighting except for decorative lights;

(iii) Communication systems including a public address system required under § 184.610 of this chapter; and

(iv) Navigation equipment and lights.

(2) A vessel with batteries of adequate capacity to supply the loads specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section for three hours, and a generator or alternator driven by a propulsion engine, complies with the requirement in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

(b) Where a ship service generator driven by a propulsion engine is used as a source of electrical power, a vessel speed change, throttle movement or change in direction of the propeller shaft rotation must not interrupt power to any of the loads specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.