Large Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations

40 (1) Fishing vessels over 150 tons, gross tonnage, making voyages in salt water, shall have the screw shafts and the tube shafts withdrawn for inspection at least once every two years, except that shafts of the following types need be withdrawn for inspection only once every three years in the case of single screw fishing vessels, and once every four years in the case of fishing vessels having two or more screws:

• (a) shafts fitted with a continuous liner in way of the stern tube, and in way of outside bearings, where fitted;

• (b) shafts fitted with approved glands or other approved appliances at the after end to permit of their being efficiently lubricated;

• (c) shafts of bronze, monel metal, or other approved non-corrosive material; and

• (d) shafts that are fitted with non-continuous liners and that are completely covered between the liners with rubber or neoprene that has been applied and bonded by an approved method.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where a single screw fishing vessel has a shaft of a type described in any of paragraphs (1)(a) to (d), the shaft need only be drawn for inspection once every four years if

• (a) the key way, if fitted, has well rounded ends or is of the sled type, has an adequate root radius and has rounded edges at the shaft surface; and

• (b) at each inspection, the shaft between the after end of the liner, or the after end of the stern tube if no liner is fitted, and a position one-third of the length of the taper from the large end is examined by an efficient crack detection method and found free from defects.

(3) Fishing vessels not over 150 tons, gross tonnage, making voyages in salt water, shall have the screw shafts and the tube shafts withdrawn for inspection at least once every four years.

(4) Fishing vessels making voyages in fresh water shall have the screw shafts and the tube shafts withdrawn for inspection at least once every four years.

(5) When a screw shaft or tube shaft is withdrawn for the inspection required by this section, it shall be completely removed from the stern tube and bearings and the propeller shall be taken off the shaft.

(6) When a fishing vessel is inspected in drydock and the shafts are not withdrawn for periodic inspection, the propellers and stern bearings shall be examined in place and the wear-down of the stern bearings shall be noted and reported.