U.S. Coast Guard Regulation of Passenger-Carrying Submersibles

Abstract

Passenger-carrying submersibles have been certified by the Coast Guard for operations in the United States Virgin Islands, Hawaii, and Guam. Although subject to the Coast Guard small passenger vessel regulations, 46 CFR Subchapter T, submersibles are not specifically addressed in the regulations. The Coast Guard does have a background in submersible safety based on past efforts to regulate industrial and research submersibles and interaction with the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), which has been classing submersibles for many years and has classed all passenger submersibles to date. The certification process developed for these unique vessels evolved during the certification of Atlantis III, the first U.S. passenger submersible. Several designers, builders, and operators have entered the market and the business is steadily expanding into new areas of operation worldwide. The Coast Guard has initiated two major studies by the Department of Transportation and the National Research Council to ensure that this new maritime business is carefully analyzed for the safety of passengers and crew.