Vital Systems Law and Legal Definition
According to 46 CFR 56.07-5 [Title 46 – Shipping; Chapter I -- Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security; Subchapter F -- Marine Engineering Part 56 -- Piping Systems And Appurtenances; Subpart 56.07 – Design], vital systems are “those systems that are vital to a vessel's survivability and safety. For the purpose of this subchapter, the following are vital systems:
(i) Systems for fill, transfer, and service of fuel oil;
(ii) Fire-main systems;
(iii) Fixed gaseous fire-extinguishing systems;
(iv) Bilge systems;
(v) Ballast systems;
(vi) Steering systems and steering-control systems;
(vii) Propulsion systems and their necessary auxiliaries and control systems;
(viii) Ship's service and emergency electrical-generation systems and their auxiliaries vital to the vessel's survivability and safety;
(ix) Any other marine-engineering system identified by the cognizant OCMI as crucial to the survival of the vessel or to the protection of the personnel aboard.
(2) For the purpose of this subchapter, a system not identified by paragraph (1) of this definition is a non-vital system.”
