🔍 Key Concepts

• 46 CFR Subchapter D, H, I, or J requirements for fire protection records on inspected vessels • Difference between a time-limited retention period (1 or 2 years) and a period tied to a certificate or inspection cycle • What a Certificate of Inspection (COI) represents and how long it is valid for on a cargo vessel

💭 Think About

• Ask yourself whether the Coast Guard wants proof of fire protection testing only between boardings, or for the entire period the vessel is operating under a specific COI • Consider how often COIs are typically renewed for inspected cargo vessels and whether record-keeping is usually aligned with that validity period • Think about whether tying records to a fixed number of years could leave a gap in documentation when the COI is renewed

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify in 46 CFR how long fire system test and inspection records must be retained on inspected cargo vessels • Check how long a Certificate of Inspection is normally valid and whether other safety records are also kept for that whole period • Confirm whether the regulations mention a specific number of years, or instead connect record-keeping to the validity of the COI or inspection cycle