46 CFR § 45.173 - Eligible barges.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s45.173"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 45.173 - Eligible barges."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "45.173"
section_name: "Eligible barges."
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"
---


# 45.173 Eligible barges.

Only barges meeting the following requirements are eligible for the special load line regime under this subpart:

(a) Unmanned, river service, dry-cargo barges;

(b) Barges that have been designed and built to at least the minimum scantlings of the American Bureau of Shipping River Rules which were in effect at the time of construction;

(c) Barges with a length-to-depth ratio less than 22;

(d) Barges on the Milwaukee route must not be more than 10 years old; and

(e) All weathertight and watertight closures (dogs, gaskets, covers, etc.) must be in proper working condition.

[USCG-1998-4623, 67 FR 19690, Apr. 23, 2002, as amended at 75 FR 70603, Nov. 18, 2010]