(a) Plans are not required for a vessel that is a sister vessel, provided:
- (1) Approved plans for the original vessel are on file at the Marine Safety Center or in the files of the cognizant OCMI;
- (2) The owner of the plans authorizes their use for the new construction of the sister vessel;
- (3) The regulations used for the original plan approval have not changed since the original approval; and
- (4) There are no major modifications to any of the systems to be used.
- (b) If approved plans for the original vessel are not on file at the MSC or with the cognizant OCMI, the vessel owner shall submit plans as described in § 177.202 of this part.