§  80.917   Reserve power supply.

   (a) The requirements of this section apply

   (1) To vessels of more than 100 gross tons; and

   (2) Beginning March 25, 2009 to

   (i) Vessels that carry more than 150 passengers or have overnight
   accommodations for more than 49 persons; and

   (ii) Vessels that operate on the high seas or more than three miles
   from shore on Great Lakes voyages. Any such vessel the keel of which
   was laid after March 1, 1957, must have a reserve power supply located
   on the same deck as the main wheel house or at least one deck above the
   vessel's main deck, unless the main power supply is so situated.

   (b) The reserve power supply must be independent of the ship's
   propulsion and of any other electrical system, and be sufficient to
   simulataneously energize the radiotelephone transmitter at its required
   output power, and the receiver. The reserve power supply must be
   available for use at all times.

   (c) When the reserve power supply consists of batteries, they must be
   installed as high above the bilge as practicable, secured against
   shifting with motion of the vessel, and accessible with not less than
   26 cm (10 in.) head room.

   (d) The reserve power supply must be located as near the required
   transmitter and receiver as practicable.

   (e) All reserve power supply circuits must be protected from overloads.

   (f) Means must be provided for charging any storage batteries used as a
   reserve power supply for the required radiotelephone installation.
   There must be a device which will give continuous indication of the
   rate and polarity of the charging current during charging.

   (g) The cooling system of each internal combustion engine used as a
   part of the reserve power supply must be adequately treated to prevent
   freezing or overheating consistent with the season and route to be
   travelled by the particular vessel involved.

   [ 51 FR 31213 , Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at  58 FR 44954 , Aug. 25, 1993;
    73 FR 4488 , Jan. 25, 2008]