(iv) If synthetic, is of a dark color or is of a type certified to be resistant to deterioration from ultraviolet light.

(4) The float-free link described in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section is not required if the vessel operates solely in waters which have a depth less than the length of the painter.

(5) If the vessel carries more than one life float or buoyant apparatus, the life floats and buoyant apparatus may be grouped and each group secured by a single painter, provided that

(i) The combined weight of each group of life floats and buoyant apparatus does not exceed 185 kg (400 lb.),

(ii) Each life float and buoyant apparatus is individually attached to the painter by a line that meets § 180.155(c)(2) and (c)(3) and which is long enough so that each can float without contacting any other life float or buoyant apparatus in the group, and

(iii) The strength of the float-free link under paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section and the strength of the painter under § 180.15-5(c)(2) is determined by the combined capacity of the group of life floats and buoyant apparatus.

(6) Stowing of life floats and buoyant apparatus must allow easy launching. Life floats and buoyant apparatus over 185 kg (400 lb.) must not require lifting before launching.

(7) Life floats and buoyant apparatus must not be secured to the vessel except by the painter and by lashings which can be easily released or hydraulic releases. They must not be stowed in tiers more than 1.2 m (4 ft.) high. Tiers of life floats or buoyant apparatus must not interfere with navigation of the vessel. When stowed in tiers, the separate units must be kept apart by spacers.

(8) There must be means to prevent shifting.

(e) Each hydraulic release used in the installation of any liferaft, inflatable liferaft, lifefloat, or buoyant apparatus must meet Subpart 160.062 of this chapter.

(46 U.S.C. 481, 49 U.S.C. 1655(b)(1); 49 CFR 1.46)

[CGD 79-167, 47 FR 41379, Sept. 20, 1982]

§ 180.20-5 Marking.

(a) All life floats and buoyant apparatus shall be conspicuously marked with the vessel's name. In addition the number of persons allowed on each life float or buoyant apparatus shall be conspicuously marked or painted thereon in letters and numbers at least 11⁄2 inches high. (This requirement is also in § 185.30-5 of this subchapter.)

(b) Any lifeboat, life raft, or other suitable boat accepted as primary lifesaving equipment shall be marked with its allowed capacity in persons, and with the name of the vessel in letters and figures at least 2 inches high, except that inflatable life rafts shall be marked by the manufacturer or service facility as required by Subpart 160.051 of Subchapter Q (Specifications) of this chapter and no additional markings are required. (This requirement is also in § 185.30-5 of this subchapter.)

Subpart 180.25-Life Preservers

§ 180.25-1 Type required.

(a) All life preservers shall be of an approved type.

(b) All kapok and fibrous glass life preservers which do not have plasticcovered pad inserts, as required by Subparts 160.002 and 160.005 of Subchapter Q (Specifications) of this chapter, shall be removed from service.

(c) Cork and balsa wood life preservers, constructed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Subpart 160.003 or 160.004 and manufactured as approved life preservers prior to July 1, 1965, may be accepted as new or replacement equipment required by this subchapter if such life preservers are servicable and in good condition to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection: Provided, however, That such life preservers bearing basic Approval No. 160.003 or 160.004 shall not be considered as approved equipment meeting the requirements for those passenger ships on an international voyage, constructed or contracted for on or after May 26, 1965.

[CGFR 65-9, 30 FR 11495, Sept. 8, 1965]

§ 180.25-5 Number required.

(a) All vessels shall be provided with an approved adult type life preserver for each person carried. In addition, unless the service is such that children are never carried, there shall be provided a number of approved life preservers suitable for children equal to at least 10 percent of the total number of persons carried.

(b) In addition to the life preservers required by paragraph (a) of this section, all vessels on an international voyage and carrying more than 12 passengers shall be provided with approved type life preservers for 5 percent of the persons carried.

[CGFR 60-54, 25 FR 9329, Sept. 29, 1960, as amended by CGFR 68-32, 33 FR 5727, Apr. 12, 1968]

be

(a) All life preservers shall marked with the vessel's name. (This requirement is also in § 185.30-5(c) of this subchapter.)

(b) Where life preservers are stowed so that they are not readily visible to passengers, the containers in which they are stowed shall be marked "life preservers" and with the number contained therein, in at least 1-inch letters and figures. This legend shall indicate the separate stowage of children's life preservers. (This requirement is also in § 185.30-10(a) of this subchapter.

device light that is approved under Subpart 161.012 of this chapter.

(b) Each light required by this section must be securely attached to the front shoulder area of a life preserver.

(c) Vessels with Certificates of Inspection endorsed only for routes that do not extend more than 20 miles from a harbor of safe refuge are not required to comply with this section.

(46 U.S.C. 375, 390b, 391a, 416, 481, 526p, 1454, and 1488; 49 U.S.C. 1655(b); 50 U.S.C. 198; and 49 CFR 1.46)

[CGD 76-028, 44 FR 38788, July 2, 1979]

§ 180.25-25

Retroreflective material.

(a) Each life preserver carried on a vessel after June 30, 1980, must have at least 200 sq. cm (31 sq. in.) of retroreflective material attached on its front side, at least 200 sq. cm on its back side, and at least 200 sq. cm of material on each of its reversible sides.

(b) Retroreflective material required by this section must be Type I material that is approved under Subpart 164.018 of this chapter.

(c) The retroreflective material attached on each side of a life preserver must be divided equally between the upper quadrants of the side, and the material in each quadrant must be attached as closely as possible to the shoulder area of the life preserver.

(46 U.S.C. 375, 390b, 391a, 416, 481, 526p, 1454, and 1488; 49 U.S.C. 1655(b); 50 U.S.C. 198; and 49 CFR 1.46)

[CGD 76-028, 44 FR 38788, July 2, 1979]

(c) Except as prohibited in paragraph (d) of this section, 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.

(d) No vessel attending offshore petroleum operations may carry a water light that produces an open flame.

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

[CGD 79-165a, 45 FR 64188, Sept. 29, 1980, as amended by CGD 80-155a, 47 FR 10559, Mar. 11, 1982]

§ 180.30-5 Number and size required.

(a) S. All vessels shall be fitted with one ring life buoy of not less than 24 inches in diameter, except that vessels less than 26 feet in length may use one ring life buoy of not less than 20 inches in diameter.

(b) L. All vessels shall be fitted with three ring life buoys of not less than 24 inches in diameter.

(c) S and L. Vessels not limited to daytime operation shall be provided with an approved water light.

(d) S and L. Ring life buoys used on a vessel on an international voyage shall be orange in color.

(Secs. 6, 17, 54 Stat. 164, as amended, 166, as amended; 46 U.S.C. 526e, 526p; E.O. 11239; 3 CFR 1965 Supp.)

[CGFR 63-40, 28 FR 9739, Sept. 6, 1963, as amended by CGFR 65-9, 30 FR 11495, Sept. 8, 1965]

§ 180.30-10 Location, distribution, and securing.

(a) S. The ring life buoy shall be so placed as to be readily accessible. It shall be capable of being cast loose, shall not be permanently secured in any way, and shall have attached to it a line at least 60 feet in length.

(b) L. The ring life buoys shall be so placed as to be readily accessible. They shall be capable of being cast loose, shall not be permanently secured in any way, and one of the ring life buoys shall have attached to it a line at least 60 feet in length.

(c) S and L. The water light, which is to be attached for nighttime operation, shall be stowed close to or at

§ 180.35-5 Number required.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all vessels shall carry pyrotechnic distress signals as follows:

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

(2) 12 hand combination flare and smoke distress signals.

(b) Pyrotechnic distress signals are not required on vessels operating on short runs. A vessel is considered to be on a short run when its operating time away from a dock is limited to approximately 30 minutes.

§ 180.35-10 Stowage.

(a) All pyrotechnic distress signals shall be carried within the pilothouse or in other location considered suitable by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.

(b) All pyrotechnic distress signals shall be stowed in a portable watertight container.

Subpart 180.40-Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacon (EPIRB)

§ 180.40-1 Emergency position indicating radiobeacon EPIRB.

(a) Each vessel in ocean and coastwise service must have an approved Class A emergency position indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB) that is—

(1) Operative;

(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) Compliance with paragraph (a) of this section is not required for a coastwise vessel

(1) That carries a VHF radiotelephone that complies with the FCC requirements; and

(2) Whose Certificate of Inspection is endorsed for a route which does not extend more than 20 miles from a harbor of safe refuge.

(c) Each vessel certificated for Great Lakes service, and each other vessel operating on the Great Lakes that is not required to have a Class A EPIRB meeting paragraph (a) of this section must have one Class C EPIRB installed in a readily accessible location, at or near the principal steering station.

(49 CFR 1.4(b)(1)(ii) and 1.46(b))

[CGD 73-24R, 39 FR 10140, Mar. 18, 1974, as amended by CGD 80-024, 49 FR 40409, Oct. 16, 1984]

181.35-1 Required number and location-L.

AUTHORITY: R.S. 4405, as amended, 4462, as amended, sec. 3, 70 Stat. 152, sec. 6(b)(1), 80 Stat. 938; 46 U.S.C. 375, 416, 390b, 49 U.S.C. 1655(b); 49 CFR 1.4(a)(2), unless otherwise noted. Interpret or apply R.S. 4417, as amended, 4418, as amended, 4421, as amended, 4426, as amended, 4453, as amended, 4488, as amended; 46 U.S.C. 391, 392, 404, 435, 481.

§ 181.10-1 Power fire pump.

(a) S and L. A power-driven fire pump shall be installed on each mechanically propelled "S" vessel which is a ferry vessel or which is permitted to carry more than 49 passengers, and on each mechanically propelled “L” vessel.

(b) S. The power fire pump shall be selfpriming and of such size as to discharge an effective stream from a hose connected to the highest outlet.

(c) L. The minimum capacity of the power fire pump shall be 50 gallons per minute at a pressure of not less than 60 pounds per square inch at the pump outlet. The pump outlet shall be fitted with a pressure gage.

(d) S. The power fire pump may be driven off a propulsion engine or other source of power and shall be connected to the fire main. This pump may also be connected to the bilge system so that it can serve as either a fire pump or a bilge pump as described in Subpart 182.25.

(e) L. The power fire pump may be driven off one of the propulsion engines in a twin engine installation. In a single engine propulsion installation, the pump shall be driven by a source of power independent of the propulsion engine. The pump may also be connected to the bilge system so that it can serve as either a fire pump or a bilge pump as described in Subpart 182.25 of this subchapter.

[CGFR 63-40, 28 FR 9740, Sept. 6, 1963]

§ 181.10-5 Hand fire pumps.

(a) All vessels shall be provided with a hand operated portable fire pump having a capacity of at least 5 gallons per minute. This fire pump shall be equipped with suction and discharge hose suitable for use in fire fighting.

(b) The hand portable fire pump may also serve as a bilge pump.

Subpart 181.15-Fire Main System

§ 181.15-1 Where required.

(a) All vessels required to be provided with a power-driven fire pump shall also be provided with a fire main system including fire main, hydrants, hose and nozzles.

§ 181.15-5 Fire main and hydrants.

(a) S and L. Fire hydrants, when required, shall be of sufficient number and so located that any part of the vessel may be reached with an effective stream of water from a single length of hose.

(b) L. There shall be a minimum of two (2) fire hydrants on all mechanically propelled "L" vessels.

(c) S and L. All piping, valves, and fittings shall be in accordance with good marine practice and suitable for the purpose intended.

[CGFR 63-40, 28 FR 9740, Sept. 6, 1963]