[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 33, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 33CFR175.23]

[Page 813-814]
 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 175--EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS--Table of Contents
 
                  Subpart B--Personal Flotation Devices
 
Sec. 175.23  Serviceable condition.

    A PFD is considered to be in serviceable condition for purposes of 
Sec. 175.21(a)

[[Page 814]]

only if the following conditions are met:
    (a) No PFD may exhibit deterioration that could diminish the 
performance of the PFD, including--
    (1) Metal or plastic hardware used to secure the PFD on the wearer 
that is broken, deformed, or weakened by corrosion;
    (2) Webbings or straps used to secure the PFD on the wearer that are 
ripped, torn, or which have become separated from an attachment point on 
the PFD; or
    (3) Any other rotted or deteriorated structural component that fails 
when tugged.
    (b) In addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this 
section, no inherently buoyant PFD, including the inherently buoyant 
components of a hybrid inflatable PFD, may exhibit--
    (1) Rips, tears, or open seams in fabric or coatings, that are large 
enough to allow the loss of buoyant material;
    (2) Buoyant material that has become hardened, non-resilient, 
permanently compressed, waterlogged, oil-soaked, or which shows evidence 
of fungus or mildew; or
    (3) Loss of buoyant material or buoyant material that is not 
securely held in position.
    (c) In addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this 
section, an inflatable PFD, including the inflatable components of a 
hybrid inflatable PFD, must be equipped with--
    (1) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, a properly 
armed inflation mechanism, complete with a full inflation medium 
cartridge and all status indicators showing that the inflation mechanism 
is properly armed;
    (2) Inflatable chambers that are all capable of holding air;
    (3) Oral inflation tubes that are not blocked, detached, or broken;
    (4) A manual inflation lanyard or lever that is not inaccessible, 
broken, or missing; and
    (5) Inflator status indicators that are not broken or otherwise non-
functional.
    (d) The inflation system of an inflatable PFD need not be armed when 
the PFD is worn inflated and otherwise meets the requirements of 
paragraphs (a) and (c) of this section.

[CGD 93-055, 61 FR 13926, Mar. 28, 1996]