[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR176.900]

[Page 761-762]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
 CHAPTER I--RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 176_CARRIAGE BY VESSEL--Table of Contents
 
 Subpart O_Detailed Requirements for Cotton and Vegetable Fibers, Motor 
                         Vehicles, and Asbestos
 
Sec. 176.900  Packaging and stowage of cotton and vegetable fibers; general.

    Source: Amdt. 176-30, 55 FR 52708, Dec. 21, 1990, unless otherwise 
noted.


    (a) Cotton, Class 9, NA 1365, Cotton, wet, Division 4.2, UN 1365, 
and other vegetable fibers, Division 4.1, being transported on a vessel 
must be securely baled and bound. Each bale of cotton or vegetable 
fibers must be covered with bagging on at least three-fourths of its 
surface, including both ends. Cut cotton linters may be accepted for 
transportation by vessel when baled and covered with bagging on the soft 
sides only if the bale is compressed to a density of at least 512 kg/m 
\3\ (32 pounds per cubic foot) and it is bound with at least six bands 
per bale. Any poorly compressed bale or any bale having damaged bindings 
may not be transported by vessel.
    (b) Each bale of Cotton, wet, Division 4.2, UN 1365 must be stowed 
separately from any bales of dry cotton or vegetable fibers, in a 'tween 
deck space, and not overstowed. Any bale of cotton or vegetable fibers 
which is saturated with water may not be transported by vessel.
    (c) Bales of cotton or vegetable fibers showing contact with oil or 
grease may not be accepted for transportation by vessel.
    (d) Cotton or vegetable fibers must be stowed in a hold or 
compartment in accordance with the following requirements:
    (1) All traces of oil or residue in the hold or compartment must be 
removed;
    (2) A recently painted hold or compartment may not be used unless it 
is thoroughly dry;
    (3) Each ventilation cowl serving the hold or compartment must be 
fitted with a spark screen;
    (4) When a bulkhead of the hold or compartment is common with a 
boiler room, engine room, coal bunker, or galley and subjected to heat, 
a wooden bulkhead must be erected between the bulkhead and any cotton or 
vegetable fibers. This wooden bulkhead must be at least 15 cm (6 inches) 
from a boiler room bulkhead, and at least 5 cm (2 inches) from an engine 
room, coal bunker, or galley bulkhead;
    (5) Each 'tween deck hatch must be closed with hatch covers, 
tarpaulins, and dunnage; however, metal hatch covers which are sealed by 
other means to provide equivalent protection may be used;
    (6) Each hold or compartment must be equipped with a carbon dioxide 
or overhead water sprinkler system or other approved fixed extinguishing 
system. Before loading, the extinguishing system must be examined to 
ensure that it is in good working condition; and
    (7) Each hold or compartment must be clear of all debris and swept 
as clean as practicable before loading.
    (e) Naked lights or any fire likely to produce sparks are not 
permitted on the vessel, dock area, or on any lighters alongside a 
vessel during loading or unloading of cotton or vegetable fibers.
    (f) Upon completion of stowage, each opening must be completely 
closed. Where required, tarpaulins must be fitted and secured in place 
to provide a tight hold. During a period of temporary stoppage of 
loading or unloading, a hatch may be left open. However, during that 
period, a fire watch, designated by the master or officer-in-charge, 
must be stationed in the hold or compartment in which the cotton or 
vegetable fibers are stowed.
    (g) At least one fire hose must be connected while cotton or 
vegetable fibers are being loaded or unloaded. Each fire pump must be 
operated before any loading or unloading. Pressure must be maintained on 
each fire main during

[[Page 762]]

the loading and the fire hose laid out ready for immediate use. Portable 
fire extinguishers must be placed to be readily available. The fire 
hose, fire pumps, and fire extinguishers may be the vessel's equipment 
or shore equipment.
    (h) Smoking is not permitted on a vessel during the loading or 
unloading of cotton or vegetable fibers except at those times and in 
those places designated by the master. ``NO SMOKING'' signs must be 
conspicuously posted in appropriate places, and the responsible person 
in charge of the loading or unloading (see Sec. 176.57 of this part) 
must ensure that they are observed.
    (i) Cotton or vegetable fibers may be stowed in the same hold over 
bulk sulfur if the sulfur has been trimmed and leveled and the hold is 
thoroughly cleaned of sulfur dust. A tight floor of two layers of 2.54 
cm (1 inch) crossed clean dunnage boards must be laid on the sulfur 
before cotton or vegetable fibers are stowed. These substances may be 
stowed alongside each other in the same hold if they are separated by a 
tight dustproof wood bulkhead.
    (j) Cotton or vegetable fibers may not be stowed in a 'tween deck 
hold over bulk sulfur in a lower hold unless the 'tween deck hold has 
been thoroughly cleaned of all sulfur dust and the 'tween deck hatch 
covers are in place and covered with tarpaulins and dunnage.