[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 7]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR180.15]

[Page 248-249]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 180--LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT AND ARRANGEMENTS--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart A--General Provisions
 
Sec. 180.15  Applicability to existing vessels.

    An existing vessel must comply with the requirements of this part 
except as otherwise specified by this section.
    (a) Before March 11, 2001, or 10 years after the vessel's keel was 
laid or the vessel was at a similar stage of construction, whichever is 
later, an existing vessel may comply with the requirements in effect for 
the vessel prior to March 11, 1996, for the number and type of survival 
craft, stowage arrangements, and launching appliances for survival 
craft.
    (b) On or before March 11, 2001, or 10 years after the vessel's keel 
was laid or the vessel was at a similar stage of construction, whichever 
is later, an existing vessel must:
    (1) Be equipped with the number of survival craft required for its 
route under Secs. 180.202, 180.204, 180.205, 180.206, 180.207, or 
180.208, as applicable; and
    (2) Comply with the stowage and launching appliance requirements for 
survival craft in Secs. 180.130 through 180.150, inclusive.
    (c) A vessel that meets the following requirements shall be 
considered in compliance with the subdivision requirements contained in 
Secs. 180.202, 180.204, 180.205, 180.206, 180.207 and 180.208:
    (1) The vessel was constructed before March 11, 2001.
    (2) The vessel is of not more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length 
and carries not more than 49 passengers;
    (3) The vessel meets the standards for collision bulkheads in 
Sec. 179.310 of this chapter; and
    (4) The vessel meets the standards for one-compartment subdivision 
in Secs. 179.220 and 179.320 of this chapter, at least in way of the 
engine room and lazarette.
    (d) Each inflatable liferaft, inflatable buoyant apparatus, life 
float, and buoyant apparatus on the vessel on March 11, 1996, may be 
used to meet the requirements of this part for these survival craft as 
long as the survival craft is continued in use on the vessel, and is in 
good and serviceable condition.
    (e) New installations of lifesaving equipment on an existing vessel, 
which are completed to the satisfaction of the cognizant Officer in 
Charge, Marine Inspection, (OCMI) on or after March 11, 1996, must 
comply with the regulations in this part. Replacement of existing 
lifesaving equipment installed before March 11, 1996, must meet the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.
    (f) A combination flare and smoke distress signal approved in 
accordance with Sec. 160.023 in subchapter Q of this chapter may be used 
on an existing vessel until the expiration date of the distress signal 
but no later than March

[[Page 249]]

11, 1999, as one of the distress signals required by Sec. 180.68.
    (g) Until February 1, 1999, a Coast Guard approved 121.5/243 MHz 
Class A Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacon (EPIRB) may be used to 
meet the requirement for an EPIRB under Sec. 180.64, if the EPIRB:
    (1) Is operable;
    (2) Is installed to automatically float-free and activate;
    (3) Was manufactured on or after October 1, 1988; and
    (4) Was installed on the vessel on or before March 11, 1996.
    (h) Until February 1, 1999, a Federal Communications Commission 
(FCC) Type Accepted VHF-FM Class C EPIRB may be used to meet the 
requirement for an EPIRB on a vessel operating on a Great Lakes route 
under Sec. 180.64, if the EPIRB:
    (1) Is operable; and
    (2) Was installed on the vessel on or before March 11, 1996.
    (i) Until March 11, 1997, an existing vessel on a limited coastwise 
route, need not comply with Sec. 180.64.
    (j) An existing vessel need not comply with Sec. 180.78(a)(4).
    (k) An existing vessel must comply with Sec. 180.210 or may comply 
with the regulations for rescue boats that were in effect for the vessel 
prior to March 11, 1996.

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 975, Jan. 10, 1996; 61 FR 24464, May 15, 1996]