[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: 46CFR185.506]

[Page 307-308]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 185--OPERATIONS--Table of Contents
 
                 Subpart E--Preparations for Emergencies
 
Sec. 185.506  Passenger safety orientation.

    (a) Except as allowed by paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, 
before getting underway on a voyage or as soon as practicable 
thereafter, the master of a vessel shall ensure that suitable public 
announcements are made informing all passengers of the following:
    (1) The location of emergency exits, survival craft embarkation 
areas, and ring life buoys;
    (2) The stowage location(s) of life jackets;
    (3) Either:
    (i) The proper method of donning and adjusting life jackets of the 
type(s) carried on the vessel including a demonstration of the proper 
donning of a lifejacket, or
    (ii) That passengers may contact a crew member for a demonstration 
as appropriate, prior to beginning an oceans or coastwise voyage;
    (4) The location of the instruction placards for life jackets and 
other lifesaving devices;
    (5) That all passengers will be required to don life jackets when 
possible hazardous conditions exist, as directed by the master; and
    (6) If the vessel is operating with reduced manning or equipment 
requirements in Sec. 176.114 of this chapter.
    (b) As an alternative to an announcement that complies with 
paragraph (a) of this section, the master or other designated person 
may--
    (1) Prior to getting underway, deliver to each passenger or, on a 
vessel that does not carry vehicles and that has seats for each 
passenger, place near each seat, a card or pamphlet that has the 
information listed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(6) of this section; 
and
    (2) Make an abbreviated announcement consisting of:
    (i) A statement that passengers should follow the instructions of 
the crew in an emergency;
    (ii) The location of life jackets; and
    (iii) That further information concerning emergency procedures 
including the donning of life jackets, location of other emergency 
equipment, and emergency evacuation procedures are located on the card 
or pamphlet that was given to each passenger or is located near each 
seat.
    (c) Ferries operating on short runs of less than 15 minutes may 
substitute bulkhead placards or signs for the announcement required in 
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section if the OCMI determines that the 
announcements are not practical due to the vessel's unique operation.
    (d) The master of a vessel shall ensure that a passenger, who boards 
the vessel on a voyage after the initial public announcement has been 
made as required by paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section, is also 
informed of the required safety information.
    (e) On a vessel on a voyage of more than 24 hours duration, 
passengers shall be requested to don life jackets

[[Page 308]]

and go to the appropriate embarkation station during the safety 
orientation. If only a small number of passengers embark at a port after 
the original muster has been held, these passengers must be given the 
passenger safety orientation required by paragraphs (a) or (b) of this 
section if another muster is not held.

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 1005, Jan. 10, 1996; 61 FR 20557, May 7, 1996, as 
amended by CGD 97-057, 62 FR 51050, Sept. 30, 1997; CGD 85-080, 62 FR 
51359, Sept. 30, 1997]