46 CFR § 45.115 - Bulwarks and guardrails.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s45.115"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 45.115 - Bulwarks and guardrails."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "45.115"
section_name: "Bulwarks and guardrails."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "E"
subchapter_name: "LOAD LINES"
part_number: "45"
part_name: "GREAT LAKES LOAD LINES"
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. 5104, 5108; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1."
regulatory_source: "CGD 73-49R, 38 FR 12290, May 10, 1973, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "45"
---


# 45.115 Bulwarks and guardrails.

(a) The exposed parts of freeboard and superstructures decks and deckhouses on the freeboard deck must have guardrails or bulwarks that are at least 36 inches high above the deck.

(b) Guardrails must have at least three courses with no more than a 9-inch opening below the lowest course and no more than 15 inches between other courses. If the sheer strake projection is at least 8 inches above the deck, a guardrail may have two courses with no more than 15 inches between courses.

(c) In way of trunks at least half the protection required by paragraph (a) of this section must be in the form of open rails.