[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: 46CFR180.207]

[Page 257-258]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 180--LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT AND ARRANGEMENTS--Table of Contents
 
              Subpart E--Number and Type of Survival Craft
 
Sec. 180.207  Survival craft--vessels operating on lakes, bays, and sounds routes.

    (a) Except as allowed by paragraphs (d), (e) and (f) of this 
section, each vessel constructed of wood certificated to operate on a 
lakes, bays, and sounds route in cold water must either:
    (1) Be provided with life floats of an aggregate capacity that will 
accommodate at least 100% of the total number of persons permitted on 
board; or
    (2) Meet either the standards for collision bulkheads in 
Secs. 179.310 of this chapter or 171.085 in subchapter S of this 
chapter, and the standards for subdivision in Secs. 179.220 and 179.320 
of this chapter, or the standards for subdivision and damaged stability 
in Secs. 171.070 through 171.073 and 171.080 in subchapter S of this 
chapter, as appropriate, and be provided with life floats of an 
aggregate capacity that will accommodate at least 50% of the total 
number of persons permitted on board.
    (b) Except as allowed by paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section, 
each vessel constructed of a material other than wood certificated to 
operate on a lakes, bays, and sounds route in cold water must be 
provided with life floats of an aggregate capacity that will accommodate 
at least 50% of the total number of persons permitted on board.
    (c) A vessel certificated to operate on a lakes, bays, and sounds 
route in warm water is not required to carry survival craft.
    (d) A vessel certificated to operate on lakes, bays, and sounds 
route within one mile of land is not required to carry survival craft.
    (e) For a vessel certificated to operate on a lakes, bays, and 
sounds route in shallow water where the vessel can not sink deep enough 
to submerge the topmost passenger deck or where survivors can wade 
ashore, the cognizant OCMI may waive a requirement for life floats, if 
the OCMI determines that it is safe to do so, taking into consideration 
the vessel's scope of operation, hazards of the route, and availability 
of assistance.
    (f) Each vessel operating with a set schedule on a specific route 
that does not take it more than 20 nautical miles from a harbor of safe 
refuge, and that maintains a 15 minute radio communications schedule 
with an operations base, or participates in a Vessel Traffic Service 
(VTS), may be granted a reduction in the survival craft requirements of 
this section if the cognizant OCMI is

[[Page 258]]

satisfied that a sufficient level of safety exists.

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 975, Jan. 10, 1996; 61 FR 24464, May 15, 1996, as 
amended by CGD 97-057, 62 FR 51050, Sept. 30, 1997]