(a) Either a classification society authorized under 46 CFR part 8, or the Coast Guard Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, issues an IMO Certificate to a U.S. flag vessel when requested by the owner or representative, if--
(1) The vessel meets the requirements of this part; and
(2) It is a new gas vessel, it meets the IMO Resolution A.328(IX), ``Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk, 1975''; or
(3) It is an existing gas vessel, it meets the IMO ``Code for Existing Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk, 1975''.
(b) The IMO Certificate expires on the same date that the vessel's Certificate of Inspection expires. [CGD 77-069, 52 FR 31626, Aug. 21, 1987, as amended by CGD 95-010, 62 FR 67537, Dec. 24, 1997]