[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR28.115]

[Page 337-338]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 28_REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY VESSELS--
Table of Contents
 
                 Subpart B_Requirements for All Vessels
 
Sec. 28.115  Ring life buoys.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and Sec. 
28.305, each vessel must be equipped with a throwable flotation device 
or a ring life buoy as specified in table 28.115. If the vessel is 
equipped with a ring life buoy, at least one ring life buoy must be 
equipped with a line which is at least:
    (1) 60 feet (18.3 meters) in length for a vessel less than 65 feet 
(19.8 meters) in length; or

[[Page 338]]

    (2) 90 feet (27.4 meters) in length for a vessel 65 feet (19.8 
meters) or more in length.
    (b) For each vessel less than 65 feet (19.8 meters) in length, an 
approved 20 inch (0.51 meters) or larger ring life buoy which is in 
serviceable condition and which was installed on board before September 
15, 1991, may be used to meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this 
section.

                Table 28.115--Throwable Flotation Devices
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Vessel length                      Devices required
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 16 feet (4.9 meters)............  None.
16 feet (4.9 meters) or more, but less      1 buoyant cushion, or ring
 than 26 feet (7.9 meters).                  life buoy (Type IV PFD).
26 feet (7.9 meters) or more, but less      1 ring life buoy approval
 than 65 feet (19.8 meters).                 number starting with
                                             160.009 or 160.050; orange;
                                             at least 24 inch (0.61
                                             meters) size.
65 feet (19.8 meters) or more.............  3 ring life buoys, approval
                                             number 160.050; orange; at
                                             least 24 inch (0.61 meters)
                                             size.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note: Certain Type V PFDs are approved for use in substitution for 
Type IV PFDs, when used in accordance with the conditions stated in the 
Coast Guard approval label.

[CGD 88-079, 56 FR 40393, Aug. 14, 1991; 56 FR 47679, Sept. 20, 1991; 56 
FR 49822, Oct. 1, 1991; CGD 95-012, 60 FR 48048, Sept. 18, 1995]