Question 1804 Deck General

The correct answer is A) Commandant of the Coast Guard. The small passenger vessel regulations state that unless otherwise specified, the term "approved" applied to a vessel's equipment means that it has been approved by the Commandant of the Coast Guard. This is because the Commandant is the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. Coast Guard and has the authority to approve the equipment used on small passenger vessels. The other options are incorrect because Congress does not directly approve vessel equipment, the American Bureau of Shipping is a private organization that classifies vessels, and the Board of Fire Underwriters is not the regulatory authority for small passenger vessels.