46 C.F.R. § 131.540 Operational readiness.
Title 46 - Shipping
(a) Except as provided by §131.545(e) of this subpart, ach lifesaving appliance and each item of equipment for a lifeboat, liferaft, survival craft, rescue boat, life float, or buoyant apparatus must be in good working order and ready for immediate use before the vessel leaves port and at any time when the vessel is away from port. (b) Each deck where a lifeboat, liferaft, survival craft, rescue boat, life float, or buoyant apparatus is stowed, launched, or boarded must be kept clear of obstructions that would interfere with the breaking out, launching, or boarding of the lifesaving appliance.
Title 46: Shipping
PART 131—OPERATIONS
Subpart E—Tests, Drills, and Inspections
§ 131.540 Operational readiness.
