Mechanical Engineering Technical Section
Systems Engineering Division (CG-ENG-3)
Each Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) cited below is updated annually in a free searchable database available from the Government Publishing Office.
The mechanical engineering technical section provides for regulatory and standards development in the more traditional areas of marine engineering systems such as boilers & pressure vessels, hoses & piping, and turbines & engines as well as specialized systems such as marine sanitation devices, pollution prevention equipment, and resiliently seated valves.
Marine Engineering:
Marine engineering regulations in 46 CFR Subchapter F provide for the specifications, standards, and requirements for strength and adequacy of design, construction, installation, inspection, and testing for vessel machinery, boilers, pressure vessels, safety valves, and piping systems.
- Boilers. Boiler regulations in Subchapter F are divided into two sections where 46 CFR Part 52 covers power boilers and 46 CFR Part 53 covers heating boilers. These regulations contain a number of approved standards that are incorporated by reference from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
- Pressure Vessels. Pressure vessel regulations in Subchapter F are located in 46 CFR Part 54. These regulations have a number of approved standards that are incorporated by reference including ASME and ASTM. Pressure vessels for human occupancy (PVHO) are covered elsewhere under commercial diving regulations in 46 CFR Part 197.
- Piping Systems. Piping regulations in Subchapter F are located in 46 CFR Part 56. These regulations have a number of approved standards that are incorporated by reference from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as well as ASME, ASTM, and others.
Marine Sanitation Devices:
Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) regulations in 33 CFR Part 159 provide for the design, construction, and certification of equipment that eliminate the discharge of untreated sewage from vessels into the waters of the United States. More information is available on our Marine Sanitation Device page.
Pollution Prevention Equipment:
Pollution Prevention Equipment (PPE) regulations in 46 CFR 162.050 provide for the design, construction, and certification of oily water separators, cargo monitors, bilge monitors, and bilge alarms for vessels. More information is available on our Pollution Prevention Equipment page.
Resiliently Seated Valves:
Resiliently Seated Valve (RSV) regulations in 46 CFR 56.20 provide for the design, construction, and certification of RSVs where closure is accomplished by resilient nonmetallic materials instead of a metal to metal seat. More information is available on our Resiliently Seated Valve page.
Contact the Systems Engineering Division (CG-ENG-3):
Commandant (CG-ENG-3)
U.S. Coast Guard
2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE STOP 7509
Washington, D.C. 20593-7509
Tel: +1 (202) 372-1367