46 CFR § 8.500 - Purpose.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s8.500"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 8.500 - Purpose."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "8.500"
section_name: "Purpose."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "A"
subchapter_name: "PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO THE PUBLIC"
part_number: "8"
part_name: "VESSEL INSPECTION ALTERNATIVES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "33 U.S.C. 1903, 1904, 3803 and 3821; 46 U.S.C. 3103, 3306, 3316, 3703, and 70034; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1 and Aug. 8, 2011 Delegation of Authority, Anti-Fouling Systems."
regulatory_source: "CGD 95-010, 62 FR 67532, Dec. 24, 1997, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "8"
---


# 8.500 Purpose.

(a) This subpart establishes the Streamlined Inspection Program (SIP) which is a voluntary alternative inspection program for U.S. documented or registered vessels required to maintain a valid certificate of inspection (COI).

(b) This subpart sets out the eligibility and application requirements and the plan development and approval procedures for enrollment of companies and their vessels in the SIP.