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Title 46

Displaying title 46, up to date as of 9/03/2026. Title 46 was last amended 9/01/2026.
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Additional Lifesaving Equipment

§ 169.549 Ring lifebuoys and water lights.

(a)

(1) The minimum number of life buoys and the minimum number to which water lights must be attached must be in accordance with the following table:

Table 169.549(a)(1)

Length of vessel Minimum number of buoys Minimum number of buoys with waterlights attached
Under 100 2 1
100 feet to less than 200 ft 4 2
200 feet to less than 300 ft 6 2
300 feet to less than 400 ft 12 4
400 feet to less than 600 ft 18 9

(2) One lifebuoy on each side of a vessel must have an attached line at least 15 fathoms in length.

(b) All lifebuoys must be placed where they are readily accessible. They must be capable of being readily cast loose.

(c)

(1) All ring lifebuoys must be approved under subpart 160.050 or 160.064 of this chapter and be international orange in color.

(2) Each water light must be approved under subpart 161.010 of this chapter.

§ 169.551 Exposure suits.

(a) This section applies to each vessel operating in exposed or partially protected waters service except those—

(1) Operating on routes between 32° N and 32° S in the Atlantic Ocean.

(2) Operating on routes between 35° N and 35° S latitude in all other waters.

(b) Each vessel to which this section applies must have for each person on board an exposure suit approved under subpart 160.171 or a Type V exposure PFD approved under subpart 160.053.

[CGD 83-005, 51 FR 896, Jan. 9, 1986, as amended by CGD 95-072, 60 FR 50468, Sept. 29, 1995]

§ 169.553 Pyrotechnic distress signals.

(a) All pyrotechnic distress signals must be of an approved type.

(b) Replacement must be made no later than the first inspection for certification or reinspection after the date of expiration.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this section, each vessel must carry the following pyrotechnic distress signals:

(1) 6 hand red flare distress signals, and 6 hand orange smoke distress signals; or,

(2) 12 hand held rocket propelled parachute red flare distress signals.

(d) [Reserved]

(e) All pyrotechnic distress signals must be carried near the helm or in a location considered suitable by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.

(f) All pyrotechnic distress signals must be stowed in a portable watertight container.

§ 169.555 Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB).

(a) Each vessel certificated for exposed waters must have an approved Class A emergency position indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB), and each vessel certificated for partially protected waters must have an approved Class C emergency position indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB). The required EPIRB must be—

(1) Operational;

(2) Stowed where it is readily accessible for testing and use; and

(3) Stowed in a manner so that it will float free if the vessel sinks.

(b) Each vessel must have an additional Class B EPIRB for every twenty-five persons onboard, for use in the lifeboats and liferafts.

[CGD 83-005, 51 FR 896, Jan. 9, 1986; 51 FR 10632, Mar. 28, 1986]

§ 169.556 Work vests.

(a) Buoyant work vests carried under the permissive authority of this section must be approved under subpart 160.053 of this chapter.

(b) Approved buoyant work vests are items of safety apparel and may be carried aboard vessels to be worn by persons when working near or over the water under favorable working conditions. Work vests are not accepted in lieu of any of the required number of approved personal flotation devices and must not be worn during drills and emergencies.

(c) The approved buoyant work vests must be stowed separately from personal flotation devices, and in locations where they will not be confused with personal flotation devices.

(d) Each work vest is subject to examination by a marine inspector to determine its serviceability. If a work vest is found not to be in a serviceable condition, then it must be repaired or removed from the vessel. If a work vest is beyond repair, it must be destroyed in the presence of the marine inspector.