Federal regulations · Through 2026-08-25 · Newer source version available

46 CFR 117.71: Lifejackets.

(a) An adult life jacket must be provided for each person carried on board a vessel.
(b) In addition, a number of child-size life jackets equal to at least 10% of the number of persons permitted on board must be provided, or such greater number as necessary to provide a life jacket for each person being carried that is smaller than the lower size limit of the adult life jackets provided to meet this section, except that:
(1) Child-size life jackets are not required if the vessel's Certificate of Inspection is endorsed for the carriage of adults only, or
(2) When all “extended size” life preservers (those with a lower size limit for persons of 1,195 millimeters (47 inches) in height or weighing 20.4 kilograms (45 pounds)) are carried on board, a minimum of only 5% additional child size devices need be carried.
(c) Each lifejacket must be approved under approval series 160.002, 160.005, 160.055, 160.155, 160.176, or 160.255 in subchapter Q of this chapter, or other standard specified by the Commandant. An inflatable lifejacket approved under approval series 160.255 must include a full back-up inflation chamber.
(d) Each life jacket carried on board the vessel must be marked in accordance with § 122.604 of this chapter.

Where this section sits in the code

Title 46—Shipping
CHAPTER I—COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
SUBCHAPTER K—SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS CARRYING MORE THAN 150 PASSENGERS OR WITH OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS FOR MORE THAN 49 PASSENGERS
PART 117—LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT AND ARRANGEMENTS
Subpart C—Ring Life Buoys and Life Jackets

(a) An adult life jacket must be provided for each person carried on board a vessel.

(b) In addition, a number of child-size life jackets equal to at least 10% of the number of persons permitted on board must be provided, or such greater number as necessary to provide a life jacket for each person being carried that is smaller than the lower size limit of the adult life jackets provided to meet this section, except that:

(1) Child-size life jackets are not required if the vessel's Certificate of Inspection is endorsed for the carriage of adults only, or

(2) When all “extended size” life preservers (those with a lower size limit for persons of 1,195 millimeters (47 inches) in height or weighing 20.4 kilograms (45 pounds)) are carried on board, a minimum of only 5% additional child size devices need be carried.

(c) Each lifejacket must be approved under approval series 160.002, 160.005, 160.055, 160.155, 160.176, or 160.255 in subchapter Q of this chapter, or other standard specified by the Commandant. An inflatable lifejacket approved under approval series 160.255 must include a full back-up inflation chamber.

(d) Each life jacket carried on board the vessel must be marked in accordance with § 122.604 of this chapter.

Collected 2026-08-27T02:26:22Z. Source file · JSON

Browse this collection