{"data":{"id":"us/46-cfr-180.210","jurisdiction":"us","citation":"46 CFR 180.210","heading":"Rescue boats.","body":"(a) A vessel of more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length must carry at least one rescue boat unless the cognizant OCMI determines that:\n(1) The vessel is sufficiently maneuverable, arranged, and equipped to allow the crew to recover a helpless person from the water;\n(2) Recovery of a helpless person can be observed from the operating station; and\n(3) The vessel does not regularly engage in operations that restrict its maneuverability.\n(b) A vessel of not more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length is not required to carry a rescue boat unless:\n(1) The vessel carries passengers on an open or partially enclosed deck; and\n(2) The cognizant OCMI determines that the vessel is designed, arranged, or involved in operations so that the vessel itself cannot serve as an adequate rescue craft.\n(c) In general, a rescue boat must be a small, lightweight boat with built-in buoyancy and capable of being readily launched and easily maneuvered. In addition, it must be of adequate proportion to permit taking an unconscious person on board without capsizing.\n(d) On a vessel of more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length operating on protected waters, a rescue boat approved under approval series 160.056 is acceptable in meeting the intent of this section. On a vessel of more than 19.8 meters operating on exposed or partially protected waters, a rescue boat approved under approval series 160.156 is acceptable in meeting the intent of this section. On a vessel of not more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length, a required rescue boat must be acceptable to the cognizant OCMI.","path":["Title 46—Shipping","CHAPTER I—COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY","SUBCHAPTER T—SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS (UNDER 100 GROSS TONS)","PART 180—LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT AND ARRANGEMENTS","Subpart E—Number and Type of Survival Craft"],"source_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-08-25/title-46.xml","current_through":"2026-08-25","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T02:26:22Z","sha256":"8d82a40940e16f5ff0718c6cf546dc5c9acbc6d357c4968f58e0d7e1598ecdeb","source_id":"us-cfr","stale":true,"prev":"us/46-cfr-180.208","next":"us/46-cfr-181.115"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}