Section R. 281.3107 - Fixed fuel tank systemsRule 107.
(1) A fixed fuel tank on a vessel shall be installed as follows: (a) To permit examination with minimum disturbance to the hull structure.(b) With adequate support and bracing to prevent movement. The supports and braces shall be insulated from contact with the tank surfaces with a nonabrasive and nonabsorbant material.(c) With openings for fill and vent pipes and for fuel level gauges, where used, on the topmost surfaces of the tank. The tank shall not have openings in the bottom, sides, or ends, except that an opening fitted with a threaded plug or cap may be used for cleaning the tank.(d) On fuel tanks for diesel fuel, the opening for the fuel supply piping is not restricted to the top of the tank.(2) Fixed fuel tank piping shall be installed as follows:(a) Fuel supply lines to the engines shall be tubing of copper, nickel-copper, steel, or United States coast guard-approved type A flexible fuel line. Fuel supply lines shall run as direct as practicable, shall be accessible, and shall be supported in a suitable manner. They shall have a readily accessible, manually operated, in-line shutoff valve installed as close to the fuel tank as practicable. They shall be protected in a suitable manner from mechanical injury at all supports and where they pass through bulkheads and structural members.(b) Metal fuel supply lines shall be fitted with flexible vibration hose as close to the engine as practicable.(c) A filling pipe shall be fitted to the highest point of the fuel tank and shall have an inside diameter of not less than 1 1/4 inches.(d) A fuel tank shall be fitted with a marine-type fuel gauge or a sounding pipe if sounding cannot be accomplished through the filling pipe.(e) A filling or sounding pipe shall be arranged so that overflow of liquid or vapor cannot escape to the inside of the vessel.(f) A fuel tank shall be fitted with a vent pipe connected at the highest point of the tank, shall have an inside diameter of not less than 7/16 of an inch, and shall terminate on the hull exterior as far as practicable from any hull openings and below deck spaces. The vent pipe shall be installed to prevent accidental contamination of the fuel by water and shall be fitted with a removable flame screen at its point of termination.(g) Devices in fuel lines for drawing fuel below decks for any purpose are prohibited.(h) All accessories installed in the fuel line shall be supported in a suitable manner.(3) The owner or operator of a vessel shall maintain the entire fuel system and accessories in good and serviceable condition.(4) The owner or operator of a vessel with a fixed fuel system shall not carry fuel onboard the vessel outside of the fixed fuel system, unless the fuel is carried in conjunction with an auxiliary outboard engine. When fuel is carried, it shall be in portable fuel tanks as provided by manufacturers of outboard engines and shall be safely secured outside of the engine or living compartment.(5) During fueling operations, smoking aboard the vessel by any person is prohibited.(6) The operator of a vessel shall not allow passengers onboard the vessel while taking on fuel.Mich. Admin. Code R. 281.3107