49 C.F.R. § 176.905 Motor vehicles or mechanical equipment powered by internal combustion engines.
Title 49 - Transportation
(a) A motor vehicle or any mechanized equipment powered by an internal combustion engine is subject to the following requirements when carried as cargo on a vessel: (1) Before being loaded on a vessel, each motor vehicle or mechanical equipment must be inspected for fuel leaks and identifiable faults in the electrical system that could result in short circuit or other unintended electrical source of ignition. A motor vehicle or mechanical equipment showing any signs of leakage or electrical fault may not be transported. (2) The fuel tank of a motor vehicle or mechanical equipment powered by liquid fuel may not be more than one-fourth full. (3) Whenever possible, each vehicle or mechanical equipment must be stowed to allow for its inspection during transit. (4) Motor vehicles or mechanical equipment may be refueled when necessary in the hold of a vessel in accordance with §176.78. (5) When a motor vehicle or mechanical equipment with fuel in its tanks is stowed in a closed freight container, a warning, displayed on a contrasting background and readily legible from a distance of 8 m (26 feet), must be affixed to the access doors to read as follows: WARNING—MAY CONTAIN EXPLOSIVE MIXTURES WITH AIR—KEEP IGNITION SOURCES AWAY WHEN OPENING (6) A motor vehicle or mechanical equipment's ignition key may not be in the ignition while the vehicle or mechanical equipment is stowed aboard a vessel. (b) All equipment used for handling vehicles or mechanical equipment must be designed so that the fuel tank and fuel system of the vehicle or mechanical equipment are protected from stress that might cause rupture or other damage incident to handling. (c) Two hand-held, portable, dry chemical fire extinguishers of at least 4.5 kg (10 pounds) capacity each must be separately located in an accessible location in each hold or compartment in which any motor vehicle or mechanical equipment is stowed. (d) “NO SMOKING” signs must be conspicuously posted at each access opening to the hold or compartment. (e) Each portable electrical light, including a flashlight, used in the stowage area must be an approved, explosion-proof type. All electrical connections for any portable light must be made to outlets outside the space in which any vehicle or mechanical equipment is stowed. (f) Each hold or compartment must be ventilated and fitted with an overhead water sprinkler system or fixed fire extinguishing system. (g) Each hold or compartment must be equipped with a smoke or fire detection system capable of alerting personnel on the bridge. (h) All electrical equipment in the hold or compartment other than fixed explosion-proof lighting must be disconnected from its power source at a location outside the hold or compartment during the handling and transportation of any vehicle or mechanical equipment. Where the disconnecting means is a switch or circuit breaker, it must be locked in the open position until all vehicles have been removed. (i) Exceptions. A motor vehicle or mechanical equipment is excepted from the requirements of this subchapter if the following requirements are met: (1) The motor vehicle or mechanical equipment has an internal combustion engine using liquid fuel that has a flash point less than 38 °C (100 °F), the fuel tank is empty, and the engine is run until it stalls for lack of fuel; (2) The motor vehicle or mechanical equipment has an internal combustion engine using liquid fuel that has a flash point of 38 °C (100 °F) or higher, the fuel tank contains 418 L (110 gallons) of fuel or less, and there are no fuel leaks in any portion of the fuel system; (3) The motor vehicle or mechanical equipment is stowed in a hold or compartment designated by the administration of the country in which the vessel is registered to be specially suited for vehicles. See 46 CFR 70.10–1 and 90.10–38 for U.S. vessels; (4) The motor vehicle or mechanical equipment is electrically powered by wet electric storage batteries; or (5) The motor vehicle or mechanical equipment is equipped with liquefied petroleum gas or other compressed gas fuel tanks, the tanks are completely emptied of liquid and the positive pressure in the tank does not exceed 2 bar (29 psig), the line from the fuel tank to the regulator and the regulator itself is drained of all trace of (liquid) gas, and the fuel shut-off valve is closed. (j) Except as provided in §173.220(d) of this subchapter, the provisions of this subchapter do not apply to items of equipment such as fire extinguishers, compressed gas accumulators, airbag inflators and the like which are installed in the motor vehicle or mechanical equipment if they are necessary for the operation of the vehicle or equipment, or for the safety of its operator or passengers. [Amdt. 176–43, 62 FR 24742, May 6, 1997, as amended at 65 FR 58630, Sept. 29, 2000; 66 FR 45384, 45385, Aug. 28, 2001; 70 FR 56099, Sept. 23, 2005]
Title 49: Transportation
PART 176—CARRIAGE BY VESSEL
Subpart O—Detailed Requirements for Cotton and Vegetable Fibers, Motor Vehicles, and Asbestos
§ 176.905 Motor vehicles or mechanical equipment powered by internal combustion engines.
