46 CFR § 160.133-23 - Procedure for approval of design, material, or construction change.

(a) Each change in design, material, or construction from the plans approved under 46 CFR 159.005–13 and § 160.133–13(h) of this subpart must be approved by the Commandant before being used in any production release mechanism. The manufacturer must submit any such change following the procedures set forth in § 160.133–9 of this subpart, but documentation on items that are unchanged from the plans approved under 46 CFR 159.005–13 and § 160.133–13(h) of this subpart need not be resubmitted.

(b) Unless determined by the Commandant to be unnecessary, a prototype release mechanism with each change described in paragraph (a) of this section must be made and tested according to the procedures for new approvals in §§ 160.133–9 through 160.133–13 of this subpart.

(c) Determinations of equivalence of design, material, or construction will be made by the Commandant only.