46 CFR § 98.30-27 - Connections.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s98.30-27"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 98.30-27 - Connections."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "98.30-27"
section_name: "Connections."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "CARGO AND MISCELLANEOUS VESSELS"
part_number: "98"
part_name: "SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION, ARRANGEMENT, AND OTHER PROVISIONS FOR CERTAIN DANGEROUS CARGOES IN BULK"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "33 U.S.C. 1903; 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3307, 3703; 49 U.S.C. App. 1804; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1."
regulatory_source: "CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 17022, Dec. 30, 1965, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "98"
---


# 98.30-27 Connections.

(a) Each person who makes a connection for a transfer operation must—

(1) Use suitable material in joints and couplings to make a tight seal;

(2) Use a bolt in at least every other hole and in no case less than four bolts in each temporary connection utilizing an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard flange coupling;

(3) Use a bolt in each hole of couplings other than ANSI standard flange couplings;

(4) Use a bolt in each hole of each permanently connected flange coupling;

(5) Use bolts of the same size in each bolted coupling; and

(6) Tighten each bolt and nut uniformly to distribute the load.

(b) No person who makes a connection for a transfer operation may use any bolt that shows signs of strain or is elongated or deteriorated.

(c) No person may use a connection for transfer operations unless it is—

(1) A bolted or full threaded connection; or

(2) A quick-connect coupling accepted by the Coast Guard.

[CGD 73-172, 39 FR 22954, June 25, 1974, as amended by USCG-2011-0088, 78 FR 54787, Sept. 6, 2013]