(b) Bunks, where installed, shall have a minimum length of 74 inches and a minimum width of 24 inches. They may be constructed of wood or metal. Mattress is to be covered with material which has been treated to give it fire resistant properties and which will provide the mattress with a reasonably smooth surface free of

sharp depressions. (Example: Treated duck stretched smoothly, fully sewn, covering the basic mattress.) Arrangement shall be not more than three high, with a minimum distance of 24 inches vertically between bunks; ladders or steps shall be provided for each top bunk. Construction and arrangement shall allow free and unobstructed access to the bunks. Each bunk shall be immediately adjacent to an aisle leading to a means of escape from the lounge area.

(c) Means of escape from lounge areas shall be provided in accordance with Subpart 177.15. Aisles alongside bunks shall be not less than 24 inches in width and after the joining of two or more aisles, the width of the aisles leading to an escape shall be not less than 42 inches. Head room in lounge areas shall be not less than 74 inches which may be reduced at the sides of the space to allow for camber, wiring, ventilation ducts or piping. However, main aisles leading to exits shall have not less than 74 inches clear head room. All aisles shall be kept clear of obstructions.

(d) Covered metal trash containers shall be provided in lounge areas and the spaces shall be maintained to minimize fire and safety hazards and to preserve sanitary conditions. Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided as indicated in Subpart 181.30 of this subchapter.

[CGFR 63-40, 28 FR 9738, Sept. 6, 1963]

Subpart 177.35-Rails and Guards

§ 177.35-1 Deck rails.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, rails or equivalent protection shall be installed near the periphery of all weather decks accessible to passengers and crews. Where space limitations make deck rails impractical such as at narrow catwalks in way of

deckhouse sides, hand grabs may be substituted.

(b) Rails shall consist of evenly spaced courses and the spacing between courses shall be not greater than 12 inches except as provided by paragraph (f) of this section. The lower rail courses may not be required where all or part of the space below the upper rail course is fitted with a bulwark, chain link fencing, wire mesh or the equivalent.

(c) On passenger decks of vessels engaged in a ferry or excursion type operation, rails shall be at least 42 inches high. The space below the rail shall be fitted with bulwarks, chain link fencing, wire mesh, or the equivalent.

(d) On sport fishing vessels where it can be shown that higher rails would interfere with the normal operation of the vessel, rails of at least 30 inches height may be permitted.

(e) Where the principal business of the vessel requires the discharge of personnel in a seaway, the peripheral rails may be wholly or partially omitted or reduced in height to not less than 30 inches. When such rails are omitted, center rails or other suitable hand holds shall be substituted therefor.

(f) For vessels subject to the 1966 International Convention on Load Lines the height of rails and bulwarks installed at the peripheries of the freeboard and superstructure decks shall be at least 391⁄2 inches. However where this height would interfere with the normal operation of the ship, a lesser height may be approved if the cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection is satisfied that adequate protection is provided. The opening below the lowest course shall not be more than 9 inches and the courses shall not be more than 15 inches apart.

(g) All rails other than those noted in the preceding paragraphs, shall be at least 36 inches high.

(h) Sailing vessels, small vessels of the open launch type, and other vessels not specifically covered elsewhere in this section shall have such rails or equivalent protection as considered necessary by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.

Subpart 180.40-Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacon (EPIRB)

180.40-1 Emergency position indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB).

AUTHORITY: R.S. 4405, as amended, (46 U.S.C. 375); R.S. 4462, as amended (46 U.S.C. 416); sec. 3, 70 Stat. 152, as amended, (46 U.S.C. 390b); R.S. 4488, as amended, (46 U.S.C. 481); sec. 6(b)(1), 80 Stat. 938 (49 U.S.C. 1655(b)(1)); 49 CFR 1.46(b), unless otherwise noted.

SOURCE: CGFR 60-54, 25 FR 9329, Sept. 29, 1960, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart 180.01-Application and Intent

§ 180.01-1 Application.

(a) The provisions of this part shall apply to all vessels except as specifically noted in this part.

§ 180.01-5 Intent.

(a) The intent of this part is to insure that each vessel carry sufficient

lifesaving equipment to provide for timely rescue and survival of the personnel on board in the event of a casualty to the vessel. Due consideration will be given to the number of persons carried and the hazards of the route permitted.

Subpart 180.05-General Provisions Pertaining to Lifesaving Equipment

§ 180.05-1 Equipment of an approved type.

(a) Where equipment in this part is required to be of an approved type, such equipment requires the specific approval of the Commandant. Notifications regarding approvals are pub lished in the FEDERAL REGISTER, and in addition are contained in Coast Guard publication CG-190, "Equipment Lists."

(b) Specifications for lifesaving equipment items required to be of an approved type have been promulgated and are contained in Subchapter Q (Specifications) of this chapter. In general, such specifications are of interest only to the manufacturer of specific items of equipment. The subparts in Subchapter Q containing specifications for the lifesaving equipment required by this part are as follows:

(R.S. 4491, as amended, sec. 6, 17, 54 Stat. 164, as amended, 166, as amended; 46 U.S.C. 489, 526e, 526p; 49 CFR 1.4(b)(1)(ii) and 1.46(b); 46 U.S.C. 369, 375, 390b, 416, and 481; 49 U.S.C. 1655; 49 CFR 1.46)

[CGFR 60-54, 25 FR 9329, Sept. 29, 1960, as amended by CGFR 65-9, 30 FR 11495, Sept. 8, 1965; CGD 73-24R, 39 FR 10140, Mar. 18, 1974; CGD 79-165a, 45 FR 64188, Sept. 29, 1980; CGD 80-155a, 47 FR 10559, Mar. 11, 1982]

§ 180.05-5 Equipment installed but not required.

(a) S and L. Except as further modified in this section, where items of lifesaving equipment are not required, but are installed, such equipment and its installation shall meet the requirements of this part. However, the Commandant may, after suitable investigations and tests, accept lifesaving devices in excess of those required, which are of a type not contemplated by the regulations in this part, if the safety of those on board is improved thereby.

(a) All life floats and buoyant apparatus shall be of approved types.

(b) The term "primary lifesaving equipment" means a lifeboat or an acceptable substitute. The acceptable substitute may include liferafts, lifefloats, rescue boats, and buoyant apparatus under certain conditions. Life preservers and ring buoys are not included in the definitions of "primary lifesaving equipment.”

(R.S. 4491, as amended; 46 U.S.C. 489) [CGFR 60-54, 25 FR 9329, Sept. 29, 1960, as amended by CGFR 68-32, 33 FR 5726, Apr. 12, 1968]

§ 180.10-5 Requirements for vessels in ocean or coastwise service.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, vessels in ocean service shall carry sufficient life floats for all persons on board, and vessels in coastwise service shall carry sufficient life floats or buoyant apparatus for all persons on board.

(1) Vessels whose routes are restricted to 20 miles from a harbor of safe refuge shall carry life floats or buoyant apparatus for not less than 50 percent of all persons on board.

(2) For vessels operating not more than one mile from land, the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, may permit operation with reduced amounts of life floats or buoyant apparatus when in his opinion it is safe to do so. In permitting such reduction the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, shall consider the vessel, its scope of operation and the hazards of the route.

(b) After July 1, 1968, all lifefloats and buoyant apparatus shall be international orange in color.

[CGFR 60-54, 25 FR 9329, Sept. 29, 1960, as amended by CGFR 68-32, 33 FR 5726, Apr. 12, 1968]

§ 180.10-15 Requirements for vessels in Great Lakes service.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, vessels in Great Lakes service shall carry sufficient life floats or buoyant apparatus for not less than 50 percent of all persons on board.

(1) Vessels navigating not more than one mile from land are not required to carry life floats or buoyant apparatus.

(b) After July 1, 1968, all lifefloats and buoyant apparatus shall be international orange in color.

[CGFR 60-54, 25 FR 9329, Sept. 29, 1960, as amended by CGFR 68-32, 33 FR 5726, Apr. 12, 1968]

§ 180.10-20 Requirements for vessels in lakes, bays, and sounds service.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, vessels in lakes, bays, and sounds service shall carry sufficient life floats or buoyant apparatus for not less than 30 percent of all persons on board.

(1) Vessels navigating not more than 1 mile from land are not required to carry life floats or buoyant apparatus.

(b) After July 1, 1968, all lifefloats and buoyant apparatus shall be either international orange or white in color.

[CGFR 60-54, 25 FR 9329, Sept. 29, 1960, as amended by CGFR 68-32, 33 FR 5726, Apr. 12, 1968]

(a) Lifeboats and rigid type life rafts of an approved type may be substituted for any portion of the primary lifesaving equipment required. Such boats and rafts shall be equipped and stowed as required by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.

(b) Suitable dinghies, dories, skiffs, etc., may be substituted for any portion of the primary lifesaving equipment required, under such conditions as may be determined by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.

(c) Inflatable life rafts of an approved type may be substituted for any portion of the primary lifesaving equipment required.

(d) Ring life buoys of an approved type may be substituted for a portion of the primary lifesaving equipment required. One ring life buoy shall be required for each person accommodated and no more than 2 ring life buoys may be used in the substitution. These ring life buoys when provided, shall be in addition to the ring life buoy required by this part.

(a) A suitable rescue boat shall be required except when, in the opinion of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, the vessel is of such design and operating characteristics that the vessel itself provides a fully satisfactory rescue platform. For protected waters, a rescue boat constructed in accordance with Subpart 160.056 of Subchapter Q (Specifications) of this chapter is acceptable in meeting the intent of this paragraph. For exposed waters, a more seaworthy rescue boat may be required but in no case shall more than one approved lifeboat suitable for rescue work be required.

[CGFR 68-65, 33 FR 19992, Dec. 28, 1968]

Subpart 180.15-Equipment for Life Floats and Buoyant Apparatus

§ 180.15-1 Equipment required.

(a) Each life float shall be fitted with a life line and shall be equipped with two paddles, a water light and a painter.

(b) Each buoyant apparatus shall be fitted with a life line and shall be equipped with a water light and paint

er.

§ 180.15-5 Description of equipment for life floats and buoyant apparatus.

(a) Life line. The life line shall be properly secured around the sides and ends of the life float or buoyant apparatus, festooned in bights not longer than 3 feet, with a seine float in each bight, which float may be omitted if the line is of an inherently buoyant material and absorbs little or no water. The life line shall be of a size and strength not less than %-inch diameter manila.

(b) Paddles. Paddles shall be not less than 4 feet long.

(c) Painter. The painter must(1) Be at least 30 m (100 ft.) long, (2) Have a breaking strength of at least 6.7 kN (1500 lb.), except that if the capacity of the life float or buoyant apparatus is 50 persons or more, the breaking strength must be at least 13.4 kN (3000 lb.),

(3) Be of a dark color if synthetic, or of a type certified to be resistant to deterioration from ultraviolet light, and

(4) Be stowed in such a way that it runs out freely when the life float or buoyant apparatus floats away from the sinking vessel.

(d) Water light. (1) The water light must be

(i) of an approved automatic electric type, constructed in accordance with Subpart 161.010 of this chapter, except as allowed under paragraph (d)(2) of this section; and

(ii) Attached to the life float or buoyant apparatus by a 12-thread manila or equivalent synthetic lanyard, at least 5.5 meters (18 feet) in length.

(2) A water light constructed in accordance with former Subpart 160.012 or 161.001 of this chapter that was installed before January 1, 1972 may be

retained in an existing installation as long as it is maintained in good condition.

(46 U.S.C. 369, 375, 390b, 416, and 481; 49 U.S.C. 1655, 1655(b)(1); 49 CFR 1.46) [CGFR 60-54, 25 FR 9329, Sept. 29, 1960, as amended by CGD 79-165a, 45 FR 64188, Sept. 29, 1980; CGD 79-167, 47 FR 41379, Sept. 20, 1982]

§ 180.15-10 Stowage of equipment.

(a) Paddles shall be lashed on the sides of the life floats to which they belong.

(46 U.S.C. 369, 375, 390b, 416, and 481; 49 U.S.C. 1655; 49 CFR 1.46)

[CGFR 60-54, 25 FR 9329, Sept. 29, 1960, as amended by CGD 79-165a, 45 FR 64188, Sept. 29, 1980]

Subpart 180.20-Stowage and Marking of Lifesaving Appliances

§ 180.20-1 Stowage of lifesaving appli

ances.

(a) Each life float and buoyant apparatus must be secured to the vessel by a painter and a float-free link.

(1) The float-free link must be(i) Certified to meet Subpart 160.073 of this chapter,

(ii) of proper strength for the size of the life float or buoyant apparatus as indicated on its identification tag, and

(iii) Secured to the painter at one end and secured to the vessel on the other end.

(2) The means by which the floatfree link is attached to the vessel must

(i) Have a breaking strength of at least the breaking strength of the painter,

(ii) If synthetic, be of a dark color or of a type certified to be resistant to deterioration from ultraviolet light, and

(iii) If metal, be corrosion resistant.

(3) If the life float or buoyant apparatus does not have a painter attachment fitting, a means for attaching the painter must be provided by a wire or line that

(i) Encircles the body of the device, (ii) Will not slip off,

(iii) Has a breaking strength that is at least the breaking strength of the painter, and