[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: 46CFR199.130]

[Page 485-486]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 199--LIFESAVING SYSTEMS FOR CERTAIN INSPECTED VESSELS--Table of Contents
 
                 Subpart B--Requirements for All Vessels
 
Sec. 199.130  Stowage of survival craft.

    (a) General. Each survival craft must be stowed--
    (1) As close to the accommodation and service spaces as possible;
    (2) So that neither the survival craft nor its stowage arrangements 
will interfere with the embarkation and operation of any other survival 
craft or rescue boat at any other launching station;
    (3) As near the water surface as is safe and practicable;
    (4) Except for liferafts intended for throw-overboard launching, not 
less than 2 meters above the waterline with the vessel--
    (i) In the fully loaded condition;
    (ii) Under unfavorable conditions of trim; and
    (iii) Listed up to 20 degrees either way, or to the angle at which 
the vessel's weatherdeck edge becomes submerged, whichever is less.
    (5) Sufficiently ready for use so that two crew members can complete 
preparations for embarkation and launching in less than 5 minutes;
    (6) In a secure and sheltered position and protected from damage by 
fire and explosion, as far as practicable; and
    (7) So as not to require lifting from its stowed position in order 
to launch, except that--
    (i) A davit-launched liferaft may be lifted by a manually powered 
winch from its stowed position to its embarkation position; or
    (ii) A survival craft that weights 185 kilograms (407.8 pounds) or 
less may be lifted not more than 300 millimeters (1 foot) in order to 
launch.
    (b) Additional lifeboat stowage requirements. In addition to the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, each lifeboat must be 
stowed as follows:
    (1) Each lifeboat for lowering down the side of the vessel must be 
stowed as far forward of the vessel's propeller as practicable. Each 
lifeboat, in its

[[Page 486]]

stowed position, must be protected from damage by heavy seas.
    (2) Each lifeboat must be stowed attached to its launching 
appliance.
    (3) Each lifeboat must have a means for recharging the lifeboat 
batteries from the vessel's power supply at a supply voltage not 
exceeding 50 volts.
    (c) Additional liferaft stowage requirements. In addition to the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, each liferaft must be 
stowed as follows:
    (1) Each liferaft must be stowed to permit manual release from its 
securing arrangements.
    (2) Each liferaft must be stowed at a height above the waterline not 
greater than the maximum stowage height indicated on the liferaft 
container with the vessel in its lightest seagoing condition. Each 
liferaft without an indicated maximum stowage height must be stowed not 
more than 18 meters (59 feet) above the waterline with the vessel in its 
lightest seagoing condition.
    (3) Each liferaft must be arranged to permit it to drop into the 
water from the deck on which it is stowed. A liferaft stowage 
arrangements meets this requirement if it--
    (i) Is outboard of the rail or bulwark;
    (ii) Is on stanchions or on a platform adjacent to the rail or 
bulwark; or
    (iii) Has a gate or other suitable opening large enough to allow the 
liferaft to be pushed directly overboard and, if the liferaft is 
intended to be available for use on either side of the vessel, such gate 
or opening is provided on each side of the vessel.
    (4) Each davit-launched liferaft must be stowed within reach of its 
lifting hook, unless some means of transfer is provided that is not 
rendered inoperable--
    (i) Within the limits of trim and list specified in paragraph (a)(4) 
of this section;
    (ii) By vessel motion; or
    (iii) By power failure.
    (5) Each rigid container for an inflatable liferaft to be launched 
by a launching appliance must be secured so that the container or parts 
of it do not fall into the water during and after inflation and 
launching of the contained liferaft.
    (6) Each liferaft must have a painter system providing a connection 
between the vessel and the liferaft.
    (7) Each liferaft or group of liferafts must be arranged for float-
free launching. The arrangement must ensure that the liferaft or 
liferafts, when released and inflated, are not dragged under by the 
sinking vessel. A hydrostatic release unit used in a float-free 
arrangement must be approved under approval series 160.162.