Motor vehicles or mechanical equipment powered by internal combustion engines.

(a) A motor vehicle or any mechanized equipment powered by an internal combustion engine is subject to the requirements of this subchapter when carried as cargo on a vessel if the engine or fuel tank contains fuel or if either battery cable is connected. Such vehicles or equipment are excepted from the requirements of this subchapter if the following requirements are met:

(1) For a motor vehicle or mechanical equipment having an internal combustion engine using fuel classed as a flammable liquid by this subchapter: the fuel tank is empty, the engine is run until it stalls for lack of fuel, both battery cables are disconnected, and no hazardous material is stowed in the vehicle or equipment; or

(2) For a motor vehicle or mechanical equipment having an internal combustion engine using liquid fuel classed as a combustible liquid by this subchapter: the fuel tank contains 418 liters (110 gallons) of fuel or less, both battery cables are disconnected and no hazardous material is stowed in the vehicle or equipment.

(b) Before being loaded on a vessel, each vehicle must be inspected for fuel leaks. A vehicle showing any signs of leakage may not be transported.

(c) Each vehicle stowed in a hold or compartment must have the battery cables disconnected and secured away from the battery terminals, unless it 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 70.10-44 and 90.10-38 for U.S. vessels.

(d) The fuel tank of a vehicle being transported as cargo on a vessel may not be more than one-fourth full.

(e) All equipment used for handling vehicles must be designed so that the fuel tank and fuel system are protected from stress that might cause rupture or other damage incident to handling.

(f) Whenever possible each vehicle must be stowed to allow for its inspection during transit.

(g) 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 is stowed.

(h) “NO SMOKING” signs must be conspicuously posted at each access opening to the hold or compartment.

(i) Except when being transported in a space specially suited for vehicles, the following additional requirements apply to the stowage of any vehicles containing a flammable or combustible liquid:

(1) Each portable electrical light and hand 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 is stowed;

(2) Each hold or compartment must be ventilated and fitted with an overhead water sprinkler system or fixed fire extinguishing system;

(3) Each hold or compartment must be equipped with a smoke or fire detection system; and

(4) 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. Where the disconnecting means is a switch or circuit breaker, it must be locked in the open position until all vehicles have been discharged.

(j) Motor vehicles may be refueled when necessary in the hold of a vessel in accordance with § 176.78.

(k) When motor vehicles with fuel in their tanks are stowed in a closed freight container, their battery cables must be disconnected and secured away from the battery terminals and the following warning must be affixed to the access doors:

WARNING—MAY CONTAIN EXPLOSIVE MIXTURES WITH AIR—KEEP IGNITION SOURCES AWAY WHEN OPENING.

The warning must be on a contrasting background and must be readily legible from a distance of 8 meters (26 feet).

[Amdt. 176-30, 55 FR 52708, Dec. 21, 1990, as amended at 56 FR 66283, Dec. 20, 1991]