CCLME.ORG - 46 CFR PART 199—LIFESAVING SYSTEMS FOR CERTAIN INSPECTED VESSELS

(continued) : Renewal of survival craft Not Exempt...... (\7\) (\7\) (\7\)
falls.
199.202 or 199.262 Rescue boats......... (\8\) (\8\) (\8\) (\8\)
199.510: EPIRB requirement.............. (\8\ \9\) (\8 10\) Exempt.......... Exempt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
\1\ Exempt if the vessel operates on a route with a duration of 30 minutes or less.
\2\ Exempt if the vessel does not carry persons smaller than the lower size limit of the lifejackets carried.
\3\ Exempt if the vessel is a ferry or has no overnight accommodations.
\4\ Exempt if the lifeboat has a carrying capacity of less than 40 persons.
\5\ Exempt if the distance is less than 3 meters (10 feet) from the embarkation deck to the water with the
vessel in its lightest seagoing operating condition.
\6\ Exempt if the vessel operates on a route on which the water depth is never more than the length of the
painter.
\7\ Exempt if the vessel operates on a fresh water route and inspection shows that the falls are not damaged by
corrosion.
\8\ Exempt if the vessel is non-self propelled and in tow, moored to or alongside a MODU or a self-propelled
vessel, or moored to shore.
\9\ Exempt if the vessel is a cargo vessel under 300 tons gross tonnage and operates on a route no more than 3
nautical miles from shore.
\10\ Exempt if the vessel operates on a route no more than 3 nautical miles from shore.

(b) Passenger vessels. In addition to the exemptions in paragraph (a) of this section, passenger vessels operating in coastwise; Great Lakes; lakes, bays, and sounds; and rivers service are exempt from requirements in subparts A through E of this part as specified in table 199.610(b) of this section.

Table 199.610(b)_Exemptions for Passenger Vessels in Specified Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service
Section or paragraph in this --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
part Lakes, bays, and
Coastwise Great Lakes sounds Rivers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
199.203: Marshalling of Not Exempt Exempt Exempt Exempt.
liferafts.
199.211(b): Lights on lifebuoys (\1\) (\1\) (\1\) (\1\)
199.212(a): Carriage of Exempt Exempt Exempt Exempt.
additional five percent
lifejackets.
199.214: Immersion suits and Not Exempt Not Exempt Exempt Exempt.
thermal protective aids in
lifeboats.
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Note:
\1\ Exempt if the length of vessel is under 60 meters (197 feet) and there are self-igniting lights attached to
at least one-half the required lifebuoys.

(c) Cargo vessels. In addition to the exemptions in paragraph (a) of this section, cargo vessels are exempt from requirements in subparts A through E of this part as specified in table 199.610(c) of this section.

Table 199.610(c)_Exemptions for Cargo Vessels in Specified Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service
Section or paragraph in this -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
part Lakes, Bays,
Oceans Coastwise Great Lakes and Sounds Rivers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
199.70(a)(3)(ii): Lights on Not exempt (\1\) (\1\) (\1\) (\1\)
lifebuoys.
199.80(b): Muster list.......... (\2\) (\2\) (\2\) (\2\) (\2\)
199.262(a): Rescue boats........ (2 and 3) (\3\) (\3\) (\3\) (\3\)
199.273: Immersion suits........ Not exempt Not exempt Not exempt Exempt Exempt
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Notes:
\1\ Exempt if the length of vessel is under 30 meters (99 feet).
\2\ Exempt if the vessel is under 500 tons gross tonnage.
\3\ Exempt if_(i) the OCMI determines the vessel is arranged to allow a helpless person to be recovered from the
water.
A(ii) recovery of the helpless person can be observed from the navigating bridge; and
A(iii) the vessel does not regularly engage in operations that restrict its maneuverability.

[CGD 84–069, 61 FR 25313, May 20, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 52819, Oct. 1, 1998; USCG–1999–6216, 64 FR 53229, Oct. 1, 1999; USCG–2000–7790, 65 FR 58465, Sept. 29, 2000]

§ 199.620 Alternatives for all vessels in a specified service.
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(a) General. Vessels operating in oceans; coastwise; Great Lakes; lakes, bays, and sounds; and rivers service may comply with alternative requirements to subparts A through E of this part as described in this section for the services specified in table 199.620(a) of this section.

Table 199.620(a)_Alternative Requirements for All Vessels in a Specified Service
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service and reference to alternative requirement section or paragraph
Section or paragraph in this ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
part: Oceans Coastwise Great Lakes Lakes, bays and sounds Rivers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
199.70(a): Lifebuoy approval 199.620(b) \1\......... 199.620(b) \1\........ 199.620(b)............ 199.620(b)............ 199.620(b).
series.
199.70(b): Lifejacket approval 199.620(c) \2\......... 199.620(c) \2\........ 199.620(c)............ 199.620(c)............ 199.620(c).
series.
199.70(b)(1): Number of No Alternative......... 199.620(d)............ 199.620(d)............ 199.620(d)............ 199.620(d).
lifejackets carried.
199.70(b)(4)(i): Lifejacket No Alternative......... 199.620(e)............ 199.620(e)............ Not Applicable........ Not Applicable.
light approval series.
199.100(b): Manning of survival No Alternative......... No Alternative........ No Alternative........ No Alternative........ 199.620(o).
craft.
199.110(f): Embarkation ladder. 199.620(f)............. 199.620(f)............ 199.620(f)............ 199.620(f)............ 199.620(f).
199.130(b): Survival craft No Alternative......... No Alternative........ 199.620(g)............ 199.620(g)............ 199.620(g).
stowage position.
199.170: Line-throwing 199.620(h) \2\......... 199.620(h) \3\........ Not Applicable........ Not Applicable........ Not Applicable.
appliance approval series.
199.175: Lifeboat, rescue boat, 199.620(i) \4\......... 199.620(i)............ 199.620(j)............ 199.620(j)............ 199.620(j).
and rigid liferaft equipment.
199.180 Training and drills.... 199.620(p)............. 199.620(p)............ 199.620(p)............ 199.620(p)............ 199.620(p).
199.190: Spares and repair 199.620(n)............. 199.620(n)............ 199.620(n)............ 199.620(n)............ 199.620(n).
equipment.
199.190(g)(3): Service 199.620(q)............. 199.620(q)............ 199.620(q)............ 199.620(q)............ 199.620(q).
Intervals for inflatable
liferaft or inflatable buoyant
apparatus.
199.201(a)(2) or 199.261: 199.620(l) \4\......... 199.620(l)............ 199.620(l)............ 199.620(l)............ 199.620(l).
Inflatable liferaft equipment.
199.201(a)(2) or 199.261: No Alternative......... 199.620(k)............ 199.620(k)............ 199.620(k)............ 199.620(k).
Liferaft approval series.
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\1\ Alternative applies if lifebuoy is orange.
\2\ Alternative applies only to cargo vessels that are less than 500 tons gross tonnage.
\3\ Alternative applies to cargo vessels that are less than 500 tons gross tonnage and to all passenger vessels.
\4\ Alternative applies to passenger vessels limited to operating no more than 50 nautical miles from shore.

(b) Lifebuoy approval series. As an alternative to a lifebuoy approved under approval series 160.150, vessels may carry a lifebuoy approved under approval series 160.050.

(c) Lifejackets approval series. As an alternative to a lifejacket meeting the approval requirements in §199.70, vessels may carry a lifejacket approved under approval series 160.002, 160.005, 160.055, or 160.077.

(d) Lifejacket quantity. Vessels may carry lifejackets as follows:

(1) If lifejackets are stowed in cabins, staterooms, or berthing areas that are readily accessible to each watch or work station, the requirement in §199.70(b)(2)(iv) to have lifejackets at each watch or work station need not be met.

(2) If the vessel carries lifejackets that are designated extended-size, then the number of child-size lifejackets carried to meet §199.70(b)(1)(i) may be reduced. To take the reduction in child-size lifejackets, extended-size lifejackets having the same lower size limit must be substituted for all of the required adult lifejackets. The number of child-size lifejackets required depends on the lower size limit of the extended-size lifejackets and is calculated by any one of the following formulas where PC is the number of child-size lifejackets expressed as a percentage of the number of lifejackets required under §199.70(b)(1):

(i) PC=LS÷4.1, where LS equals the lower size limit expressed in kilograms.

(ii) PC=LS÷9, where LS equals the lower size limit expressed in pounds.

(iii) PC=(LS-81)÷7.6, where LS equals the lower size limit expressed in centimeters.

(iv) PC=(LS-32)÷3, where LS equals the lower size limit expressed in inches.

(e) Lifejacket light approval series. As an alternative to lights approved under approval series 161.112, vessels may use lights for lifejackets and immersions suits approved under series 161.012. However, lifejacket lights bearing Coast Guard approval number 161.012/2/1 are not permitted on vessels certificated to operate on waters where water temperature may drop below 10° C (50° F).

(f) Embarkation ladder. An embarkation ladder may be a chain ladder approved under approval series 160.017.

(g) Survival craft stowage positions. Vessels having widely separated accommodation and service spaces may have, as an alternative to the requirements of §199.130(b), all required lifeboats and 50 percent of the required liferafts stowed as close as possible to the accommodation and service space that normally holds the greatest number of persons, with the remainder of the liferafts stowed as close as possible to each other accommodation and service space.

(h) Line-throwing appliance approval series. As an alternative to a line-throwing appliance that meets the requirements in §199.170, vessels may carry a line-throwing appliance approved under approval series 160.031, which may have an auxiliary line that is at least 150 meters (500 feet).

(i) Lifeboat, rescue boat, and rigid liferaft equipment; oceans and coastwise. Lifeboats, rescue boats, and rigid liferafts may carry the equipment specified in table 199.175 of this part for vessels on a short international voyage.

(j) Lifeboat, rescue boat, and rigid liferaft equipment; other services. As an alternative to meeting the survival craft equipment requirements of §199.175, a vessel may carry the equipment specified in table 199.620(j) of this section under the vessel's category of service. Each item in the table has the same description as in §199.175.

Table 199.620(j)_Survival Craft Equipment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great Lakes Lakes, bays and sounds Rivers
Item -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. Item Rigid Rescue Rigid Rescue Rigid Rescue
Lifeboat liferaft boat Lifeboat liferaft boat Lifeboat liferaft boat
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Bailer \1\.......... 1 1 1 1 1 1 ........ ........ ......
2 Bilge pump \2\...... 1 ........ ...... 1 ........ ...... ........ ........ ......
3 Boathook............ 1 ........ 1 1 ........ 1 1 ........ 1
4 Bucket \3\.......... 1 ........ 1 1 ........ ...... 1 ........ ......
9 Fire extinguisher... 1 ........ 1 1 ........ 1 1 ........ 1
12 Flashlight.......... 1 1 1 ........ ........ ...... ........ ........ ......
13 Hatchet............. 2 ........ ...... 1 ........ ...... 1 ........ ......
15 Instruction card.... ........ 1 ...... ........ 1 ...... ........ 1 ......
18 Ladder.............. 1 ........ 1 ........ ........ ...... ........ ........ ......
20 Oars, units \4\ \5\. 1 ........ 1 1 ........ 1 1 ........ 1
Paddles............. ........ 2 ...... ........ 2 ...... ........ 2 ......
21 Painter............. 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
23 Pump \6\............ ........ ........ 1 ........ ........ 1 ........ ........ 1
26 Repair kit \6\...... ........ ........ 1 ........ ........ 1 ........ ........ 1
27 Sea anchor.......... 1 2 1 ........ ........ ...... ........ ........ ......
28 Searchlight......... 1 ........ 1 ........ ........ ...... ........ ........ ......
31 Signal, hand flare.. 6 6 ...... 6 6 ...... ........ ........ ......
32 Signal, parachute 4 4 ...... ........ ........ ...... ........ ........ ......
flare..............
33 Skates and 1 ........ 1 1 ........ 1 1 ........ 1
fenders\7\.........
34 Sponge \6\.......... ........ 2 2 ........ 2 2 ........ ........ ......
35 Survival 1 1 ...... 1 1 ...... ........ ........ ......
instructions.......
38 Tool kit............ 1 ........ ...... 1 ........ ...... 1 ........ ......
39 Towline \8\......... 1 ........ 1 1 ........ 1 1 ........ 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
\1\ Each liferaft approved for 13 persons or more must carry two of these items.
\2\ Not required for boats of self-bailing design.
\3\ Not required for inflated or rigid-inflated rescue boats.
\4\ Oars not required on a free-fall lifeboat; a unit of oars means the number of oars specified by the boat
manufacturer.
\5\ Rescue boats may substitute buoyant paddles for oars, as specified by the manufacturer.
\6\ Not required for a rigid rescue boat.
\7\ Required if specified by the manufacturer.
\8\ Required only if the lifeboat is also the rescue boat.

(k) Liferaft approval series. As an alternative to liferafts that meet the requirements in §§199.201(a) and 199.261(a), vessels may—

(1) Carry inflatable liferafts approved under approval series 160.051; and

(2) Have liferafts with a capacity less than six persons.

(l) Inflatable liferaft equipment. As an alternative to the SOLAS A Pack, vessels may have a SOLAS B Pack for each inflatable liferaft.

(m) [Reserved]

(n) Spare parts and repair equipment. As an alternative to carrying spare parts and repair equipment as required in §199.190(c), a vessel need not carry spare parts and repair equipment if it operates daily out of a shore base where spare parts and repair equipment are available.

(o) Deckhands may be used to operate the survival craft and launching arrangements.

(p) Training and drill subjects required under §199.180 may be omitted if the vessel is not fitted with the relevant equipment, installation or system.

(q) For a new liferaft or inflatable buoyant apparatus, the first annual servicing may be deferred to two years after initial packing if so indicated on the servicing sticker.

[CGD 84–069, 61 FR 25313, May 20, 1996; 61 FR 40281, Aug. 1, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 52820, Oct. 1, 1998; 63 FR 56066, Oct. 20, 1998; USCG–2001–10224, 66 FR 48621, Sept. 21, 2001; USCG–2001–11118, 67 FR 58542, Sept. 17, 2002]

§ 199.630 Alternatives for passenger vessels in a specified service.
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(a) In addition to the alternatives for certain requirements in §199.620, passenger vessels operating in oceans; coastwise; Great Lakes; lakes, bays, and sounds; and rivers service may comply with alternative requirements to subparts A through C of this part as described in this section for the services specified in table 199.630(a) of this section.

Table 199.630(a)_Alternative Requirements for Passenger Vessels in a Specified Service
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service and reference to alternative requirement section or paragraph
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section or paragraph in this part Lakes, bays, and
Oceans Coastwise Great Lakes sounds Rivers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
199.60(c): Distress signals........ No Alternative........ No Alternative........ 199.630(b)........... Not Applicable....... Not Applicable.
199.100(c): Person in charge of No Alternative........ 199.630(l)............ 199.630(l)........... 199.630(l)........... 199.630(l)
survival craft.
199.100(d): Lifeboat second-in- No Alternative........ No Alternative........ 199.630(m)........... 199.630(m)........... Not Applicable.
command.
199.201(b): Number and type of 199.630(c)\1\......... 199.630(c) or 199.630(c) or 199.630(c) or 199.630(c) or
survival craft carried. 199.630(d)\2\. 199.630(d)\2\ or 199.630(d) or 199.630(e) or
199.630(e) or 199.630(e) or 199.630(f) or
199.630(f)\2\ or 199.630(f)\2\ or 199.630(g) or
199.630(g)\2\ \3\ or 199.630(g) or 199.630(h)\4\.
199.630(h)\4\. 199.630(h)\4\.
199.202: Rescue boat approval No Alternative........ No Alternative........ No Alternative....... 199.630(i)\5\........ 199.630(i).
series.
199.203: Marshaling of liferafts... No Alternative........ 199.630(j)............ Not Applicable....... Not Applicable....... Not Applicable.
199.211(a): Quantity of lifebuoys.. No Alternative........ 199.630(k)............ 199.630(k)........... 199.630(k)........... 199.630(k).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
\1\ Alternative applies if the vessel operates on a route no more than 50 nautical miles from shore.
\2\ Alternative applies if the vessel is a ferry or has no overnight accommodations for passengers.
\3\ Alternative applies during periods of the year the vessel operates in warm water.
\4\ Alternative applies if the vessel operates in shallow water not more than 3 miles from shore where the vessel cannot sink deep enough to submerge
the topmost deck.
\5\ Alternative applies if the vessel operates on sheltered lakes or harbors.

(b) As an alternative to distress signals that meet the requirements of §199.60, vessels may carry at least 12 hand red flare distress signals approved under approval series 160.021 or 160.121.

(c) As an alternative to the lifeboat capacity requirements of §199.201(b)(1)(i), vessels may carry lifeboats with an aggregate capacity sufficient to accommodate not less than 30 percent of the total number of persons on board. These lifeboats must be equally distributed, as far as practicable, on each side of the vessel. Liferafts on these vessels may be either SOLAS A or SOLAS B liferafts.

(d) As an alternative to the survival craft requirements of §199.201(b), vessels may carry inflatable buoyant apparatus having an aggregate capacity, together with the capacities of any lifeboats, rescue boats, and liferafts carried on board sufficient to, accommodate the total number of persons on board. These inflatable buoyant apparatus must—

(1) Be served by launching appliances or marine evacuation systems evenly distributed on each side of the vessel if the embarkation deck is more than 3 meters (10 feet) above—

(i) The waterline under normal operating conditions; or

(ii) The equilibrium waterline after the vessel is subjected to the assumed damage and subdivision requirements in part 171 of this chapter;

(2) Be stowed in accordance with the requirements of §§199.130(a), 199.130(c), and 199.178; and

(3) Be equipped in accordance with the requirements in table 199.640(j) of this part.

(e) As an alternative to the survival craft requirements of §199.201(b), vessels may carry—

(1) Liferafts having an aggregate capacity, together with the capacities of any lifeboats carried on board, sufficient to accommodate the total number of persons on board that are served by launching appliances or marine evacuation systems evenly distributed on each side of the vessel; and

(2) In addition to the liferafts required in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, additional liferafts that have an aggregate capacity sufficient to accommodate at least 10 percent of the total number of persons, or equal to the capacity of the largest single survival craft on the vessel, whichever is the greater. The additional liferafts are not required to be stowed in accordance with §199.130(c), but they must be served by at least one launching appliance or marine evacuation system on each side of the vessel.

(f) As an alternative to the survival craft requirements of §199.201(b), vessels may have a safety assessment approved by the local OCMI that addresses the following:

(1) The navigation and vessel safety conditions within the vessel's planned operating area including—

(i) The scope and degree of the risks or hazards to which the vessel will be subject during normal operations;

(ii) The existing vessel traffic characteristics and trends, including traffic volume; the sizes and types of vessels involved; potential interference with the flow of commercial traffic; the presence of any unusual cargoes; and other similar factors;

(iii) The port and waterway configuration and variations in local conditions of geography, climate, and other similar factors; and

(iv) Environmental factors.

(2) A comprehensive shipboard safety management and contingency plan that is tailored to the particular vessel, is easy to use, is understood by vessel management personnel both on board and ashore, is updated regularly, and includes—

(i) Guidance to assist the vessel's crew in meeting the demand of catastrophic vessel damage;

(ii) Procedures to mobilize emergency response teams;

(iii) Procedures for moving passengers from the vessel's spaces to areas protected from fire and smoke, to embarkation areas, and off the vessel. The procedures must address provisions for passengers with physical or mental impairments;

(iv) Lists of external organizations that the vessel's operator would call for assistance in the event of an incident;

(v) Procedures for establishing and maintaining communications on board the vessel and with shoreside contacts; and

(vi) Guidance on theoretical, practical, and actual simulation training that includes the personnel or organizations identified in the plan so they can practice their roles in the event of an incident.

(g) As an alternative to the survival craft requirements of §199.201(b), vessels may carry inflatable buoyant apparatus having an aggregate capacity sufficient to accommodate 67 percent of the total number of persons on board, minus the capacities of any lifeboats, rescue boats and liferafts carried on board. These inflatable buoyant apparatus must meet the arrangement requirements of §199.630 (d)(1) through (d)(3). The number of persons accommodated in an inflatable buoyant apparatus may not exceed 150% of its rated capacity.

(h) A vessel need not comply with the requirements for survival craft in §199.201(b) if the vessel operates—

(1) On a route that is in shallow water not more than 3 miles from shore and the vessel cannot sink deep enough to submerge the topmost deck; or

(2) Where the cognizant OCMI determines that survivors can wade ashore.

(i) As an alternative to the rescue boat required in §199.202, vessels may carry a rescue boat meeting the requirements of part 160, subpart 160.056 of this chapter if it is equipped with a motor and meets the following:

(1) The towline for the rescue boat must be at least the same size and length as the rescue boat painter.

(2) The rescue boat must meet the embarkation, launching, and recovery arrangement requirements in §§199.160 (b) through (f). The OCMI may allow deviations from the rescue boat launching requirements based on the characteristics of the boat and the conditions of the vessel's route.

(j) As an alternative to the requirements of §199.203(a), a vessel that meets the subdivision requirements in §171.068 of this chapter may meet the requirements of §199.203(b).

(k) Vessels carrying lifebuoys may carry—

(1) The number of lifebuoys specified in table 199.630(k) of this section instead of the number required in §199.211; and

(2) If the vessel carries less than four lifebuoys, at least two with a self-igniting light attached to the lifebuoy. A buoyant lifeline may be fitted to one of the lifebuoys with a self-igniting light.

Table 199.630(k)_Requirements for Lifebuoys
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum
Length of vessel in meters (feet) number of
lifebuoys
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under 30 (98)................................................ 3
30 (98) and under 60 (196)................................... 4
60 (196) and under 90 (297).................................. 5
90 (297) and under 120 (393)................................. 12
120 (393) and under 180 (590)................................ 18
180 (590) and under 240 (787)................................ 24
240 (787) and over........................................... 30
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(l) A deck officer, able seaman, certificated person, or person practiced in the handling of liferafts or inflatable buoyant apparatus is not required to be placed in charge of each inflatable buoyant apparatus, provided that there are a sufficient number of such persons on board to launch the inflatable buoyant apparatus and supervise the embarkation of the passengers. The number of persons on board for the purpose of launching and operating inflatable buoyant apparatus may be reduced during any voyage where the vessel is carrying less than the number of passengers permitted on board, and the number of such persons is sufficient to launch and operate the number of survival craft required to accommodate everyone on board.

(m) The person designated second-in-command of survival craft is not required to be a certificated person if the person is practiced in the handling and operation of survival craft.

[CGD 84–069, 61 FR 25313, May 20, 1996; 61 FR 40281, Aug. 1, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 52821, Oct. 1, 1998; 63 FR 56067, Oct. 20, 1998; 63 FR 63798, Nov. 17, 1998]

§ 199.640 Alternatives for cargo vessels in a specified service.
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(a) In addition to the alternatives for certain requirements in §199.620, cargo vessels operating in oceans; coastwise; Great Lakes; lakes, bays, and sounds; and rivers service may comply with alternative requirements to subparts A, B, and D of this part as described in this section for the services specified in table 199.640(a) of this section.

Table 199.640(a)_Alternative Requirements for Cargo Vessels in a Specified Service
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service or reference to alternative requirement section
Section or paragraph in this ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
part Lakes, bays,
Oceans Coastwise Great Lakes and sounds Rivers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
199.60(c): Distress signals.. 199.640(b) \1\ 199.640(b) \1\ 199.640(b) \1\ Not Applicable. Not Applicable.
or 199.630(b).
199.261: Number and type of 199.640(c) \6\ 199.640(c) \6\ 199.640(c) \2\ 199.640(c) \2\ 199.640(c) or
survival craft carried. or 199.640(d) or 199.640(d) 199.640(d) or
or 199.640(e) or 199.640(e) 199.640(e) \3\
\3\ or \3\ or or
199.640(f) \4\. 199.640(f) \4\. 199.640(f).\4\
199.262: Rescue boat No Alternative 199.640(g).... 199.640(g)..... 199.640(g) or 199.640(g) or
substitution. 199.640(h) \5\. 199.640(h).
199.271: Lifebuoy quantity... No Alternative 199.640(i).... 199.640(i)..... 199.640(i)..... 199.640(i).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
\1\ Alternative applies to vessels less than 150 tons gross tonnage that do not carry passengers or persons in
addition to the crew.
\2\ Alternative applies to cargo vessels less than 85 meters in length, tank vessels less than 500 tons gross
tonnage, and nonself-propelled vessels.
\3\ Alternative applies during periods of the year that the vessel operates in warm water.
\4\ Alternative applies if the vessel operates in shallow water not more than 3 miles from shore where the
vessel cannot sink deep enough to submerge the topmost deck.
\5\ Alternative applies if the vessel operates on sheltered lakes or harbors.
\6\ Alternative applies to vessels less than 500 tons gross tonnage.

(b) Vessels of less than 150 tons gross tonnage that do not carry persons other than the crew, may carry, as an alternative to distress signals that meet the requirements of §199.60, six hand red flare distress signals approved under approval series 160.021 and six hand orange smoke distress signals approved under approval series 160.037.

(c) As an alternative to the survival craft requirements of §§199.261(b), (c), or (d), vessels may carry one or more liferafts with an aggregate capacity sufficient to accommodate the total number of persons on board. The liferafts must be—

(1) Readily transferable for launching on either side of the vessel; or

(2) Supplemented with additional liferafts to bring the total capacity of the liferafts available on each side of the vessel to at least 100 percent of the total number of persons on board. If additional liferafts are provided and the rescue boat required under §199.262 is also a lifeboat, its capacity may be included in meeting the aggregate capacity requirement.

(d) As an alternative to the survival craft requirements in §§199.261 (b), (c), or (d), vessels may carry one or more totally enclosed lifeboats with an aggregate capacity sufficient to accommodate the total number of persons on board and one or more liferafts with an aggregate capacity sufficient to accommodate the total number of persons on board. This combination of survival craft must meet the following:

(1) The aggregate capacity of the lifeboats and liferafts on each side of the vessel must be sufficient to accommodate the total number of persons on board.

(2) If the survival craft are stowed more than 100 meters (328 feet from either the stem or the stern of the vessel, an additional liferaft must be carried and stowed as far forward or aft as is reasonable and practicable. The requirement for the liferaft to float free under §199.290(b) does not apply to a liferaft under this paragraph, provided the liferaft is arranged for quick manual release.

(e) As an alternative to the survival craft requirements in §§199.261 (b), (c), or (d), during periods of the year the vessel operates in warm water, a vessel may carry lifefloats with an aggregate capacity sufficient to accommodate the total number of people on board. The lifefloat launching arrangement, stowage, and equipment must meet the requirements in §199.640(j).

(f) A vessel need not comply with the requirements for survival craft in §§199.261 (b), (c), or (d) if the vessel operates—

(1) On a route that is in shallow water not more than 3 miles from shore and where the vessel cannot sink deep enough to submerge the topmost deck; or

(2) Where the cognizant OCMI determines that survivors can wade ashore.

(g) As an alternative to the rescue boat requirement in §199.262(a), vessels may carry a motor-propelled workboat or a launch that meets all the embarkation, launching, and recovery arrangement requirements in §§199.160 (b) through (f). The OCMI may allow deviations from the rescue boat launching requirements based on the characteristics of the boat and the conditions of the vessel's route.

(h) An an alternative to the rescue boat requirement in §199.262, vessels may carry a rescue boat meeting the requirements of part 160, subpart 160.056 of this chapter if the rescue boat is equipped with a motor and meets the following:

(1) The towline for the rescue boat must be at least the same size and length as the rescue boat painter.

(2) The rescue boat must meet the embarkation, launching, and recovery arrangement requirements in §199.160(b). A manually-powered winch may be used if personnel embark and disembark the rescue boat only when it is in the water. If the rescue boat is launched or recovered with personnel on board, the embarkation, launching, and recovery arrangements must also meet §199.160 (c) through (f). The OCMI may allow deviations from the rescue boat launching requirements based on the characteristics of the boat and the conditions of the vessel's route.

(i) As an alternative to the number of lifebuoys required in §199.271, vessels may carry—

(1) If the vessel is self-propelled, the number of lifebuoys specified in table 199.640(i) of this section; or

(2) If the vessel is non self-propelled, one lifebuoy on each end of the vessel.

Table 199.640(i)_Requirements for Lifebuoys
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum
Length of vessel in meters (feet) No. of
Lifebuoys
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under 30 (98)................................................ 3
30 (98) and under 60 (196)................................... 4
60 (196) and under 100 (328)................................. 6
100 (328) and under 150 (492)................................ 10
150 (492) and under 200 (656)................................ 12
200 (656) and over........................................... 14
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(j) Vessels carrying buoyant apparatus, inflatable buoyant apparatus, or lifefloats. Vessels carrying buoyant apparatus, inflatable buoyant apparatus, or lifefloats must meet the following:

(1) General. Each buoyant apparatus and inflatable buoyant apparatus must be approved under approval series 160.010. Each lifefloat must be approved under approval series 160.027.

(2) Stowage. Each buoyant apparatus, inflatable buoyant apparatus, or lifefloat must, in addition to meeting the general stowage requirements of §199.130(a), be stowed as follows:

(i) Each inflatable buoyant apparatus must meet the liferaft stowage requirements in §199.130(c).

(ii) Each buoyant apparatus and lifefloat must—

(A) Meet the liferaft stowage requirements in §§199.130(c) (1), (2), (3), (6), and (7); or

(B) Meet the liferaft stowage requirements in §§199.130(c) (1), (2), (3), and (6), and have lashings that can be easily released.

(iii) A painter must be secured to the buoyant apparatus or lifefloat by—

(A) The attachment fitting provided by the manufacturer; or

(B) A wire or line that encircles the body of the buoyant apparatus or lifefloat, that will not slip off, and that meets the requirements of paragraph (4)(iii) of this section.

(iv) If buoyant apparatus or lifefloats are arranged in groups with each group secured by a single painter—

(A) The combined mass of each group must not exceed 185 kilograms (407.8 pounds);

(B) Each buoyant apparatus or lifefloat must be individually attached to the group's single painter by its own painter, which must be long enough to allow the buoyant apparatus or lifefloat to float without contacting any other buoyant apparatus or lifefloat in the group;

(C) The strength of the float-free link and the strength of the group's single painter must be appropriate for the combined capacity of the group of buoyant apparatus or lifefloats;

(D) The group of buoyant apparatus or lifefloats must not be stowed in more than four tiers and, when stowed in tiers, the separate units must be kept apart by spacers; and

(E) The group of buoyant apparatus or lifefloats must be stowed to prevent shifting with easily detached lashings.

(3) Marking. Each buoyant apparatus or lifefloat must be marked plainly in block capital letters and numbers with the name of the vessel and the number of persons approved to use the device as shown on its nameplate.

(4) Equipment. Unless otherwise stated in this paragraph, each buoyant apparatus and lifefloat must carry the equipment listed in this paragraph and specified for it in table 199.640(j) of this section under the vessel's category of service.

(i) Boathook.

(ii) Paddle. Each paddle must be at least 1.2 meters (4 feet) long and buoyant.

(iii) Painter. The painter must—

(A) Be at least 30 meters (100 feet) long, but not less than three times the distance from the deck where the buoyant apparatus, inflatable buoyant apparatus, or lifefloats are stowed to the vessel's waterline with the vessel in its lightest seagoing condition;

(B) Have a breaking strength of at least 6.7 kiloNewtons (1,500 pounds-force), or if the capacity of the buoyant apparatus or lifefloat is 50 persons or more, have a breaking strength of at least 13.4 kiloNewtons (3,000 pounds-force);

(C) If made of a synthetic material, be of a dark color or be certified by the manufacturer to be resistant to deterioration from ultraviolet light;

(D) Be stowed in such a way that it runs out freely when the buoyant apparatus or lifefloat floats away from the sinking vessel; and

(E) Have a float-free link meeting the requirements of part 160, subpart 160.073 of this chapter secured to the end of the painter that is attached to the vessel, that is of the proper strength for the size and number of the buoyant apparatus or lifefloats attached to the float-free link.

(iv) Self-igniting light. The self-igniting light must be approved under approval series 161.010 and must be attached to the buoyant apparatus or lifefloat by a 12-thread manila or equivalent lanyard that is at least 5.5 meters (18 feet) long.

Table 199.640(j)_Buoyant Apparatus and Lifefloat Equipment
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lakes,
Oceans, bays,
Item Item coastwise, sounds,
No. and Great and
Lakes rivers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
i Boathook \1\............................. 1 1
ii Paddles \1\.............................. 2 2
iii Painter.................................. 1 1
iv Self-igniting light \2\.................. 1 .........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
\1\ Not required to be carried on buoyant apparatus.
\2\ Not required to be carried on buoyant apparatus or life floats with
a capacity of 24 persons or less.

[CGD 84–069, 61 FR 25313, May 20, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 52821, Oct. 1, 1998]