Which foreign vessels are required to have a load line?

The requirement for foreign vessels to have a load line is determined primarily by their size and type. Vessels over 150 Gross Tons (GT) are subject to load line regulations as established by international conventions, such as the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966. This requirement ensures that such vessels are designed and maintained to carry the specified load safely, thereby promoting maritime safety and preventing overloading.

Load lines serve as important indicators of the vessel's maximum safe loading limits, helping to prevent accidents due to improper loading. For vessels below this threshold, different regulations may apply, which can vary significantly between categories such as fishing vessels or smaller craft. The inclusion of all vessels is too broad, as not all vessels are subjected to the same international maritime regulations regarding load lines, particularly those under the 150 GT specification. Similarly, fishing vessels under 100 GT and vessels under 79 feet are often exempt from these specific load line rules due to different regulatory frameworks tailored to smaller and specialized vessels.

Thus, focusing on the over 150 GT classification accurately reflects the widely accepted standards that mandate the presence of load lines on foreign vessels to enhance safety at sea.