LOAD LINES
APPLIES TO: Fish Processing and Fish Tender Vessels
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REQUIREMENTS:
The following vessels are required to have Load Lines:
1.
Fish processing vessels over 5000 gross tons (GTs).
2.
Fish processing vessels over 79 feet in length, or over 150 GTs
but less than 5000 GTs, that were constructed as fish processing
vessels after August 16, 1974; or were converted for use as fish
processing vessels after January l, 1983.
3.
Fish tender vessels of more than 500 GTs.
4.
Fish Tender vessels over 79 feet in length, or over 150 GTs but
less than 500 GTs that were constructed, or under contract to be
constructed, as fish tender vessels after January l, 1980; or were
converted to for use as fish tender vessels after January l, 1983.
A vessel required to have load lines assigned may not be operated
unless it is in compliance.
A vessel required to have load lines shall have the load lines
permanently and conspicuously marked.
A vessel may not be loaded in a way that submerges the assigned load
line.
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STANDARD:
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INSTRUCTORS NOTES:
Fishing vessels (unless they are processors or tenders) are not
required to have an assigned load line. Fishing vessels should,
however, not be overloaded.
Operators are encouraged to use voluntary load lines so as to assist
in recognizing, and avoiding, unsafe conditions.
Instability resulting from overloading, improper loading, or lack of
freeboard is an unsafe condition and may be considered grounds for
termination of operations by a Coast Guard boarding officer.
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REFERENCE: 46 USC 5102-5112
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