46 CFR § 45.51 - Types of ships.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s45.51"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 45.51 - Types of ships."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "45.51"
section_name: "Types of ships."
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"
---


# 45.51 Types of ships.

(a) For the purpose of this subpart, a type A vessel has—

(1) No cargo ports or similar sideshell openings below the freeboard deck;

(2) Only small freeboard deck openings fitted with watertight gasketed hatch covers of steel;

(3) No dimension of a freeboard deck cargo opening greater than 6 feet and the total area not exceeding 18 ft
<sup>2</sup>; and

(4) No more than two freeboard deck cargo openings to a single cargo space.

(b) For the purposes of this subpart a type B vessel is a vessel that does not meet the requirements in paragraph (a) of this section.