46 C.F.R. Subpart 160.051—Inflatable Liferafts for Domestic Service
Title 46 - Shipping
Source: CGD 85–205, 62 FR 25546, May 9, 1997, unless otherwise noted.
This subpart prescribes requirements for approval by the Coast Guard of A, B, and Coastal Service inflatable liferafts for use only in domestic service. These liferafts must comply with all of the requirements for SOLAS A and SOLAS B liferafts in subpart 160.151 except as specified in this subpart. In this subpart, the term: A or B liferaft means an inflatable liferaft that meets the requirements prescribed in subpart 160.151 for a SOLAS A or SOLAS B liferaft, respectively, except that the capacity is less than 6 persons and the liferaft cannot contain SOLAS markings. Coastal Service liferaft means a liferaft that does not meet the all of the requirements prescribed in subpart 160.151 for a SOLAS A or SOLAS B liferaft, but that instead meets the requirements of this subpart and is approved for use on certain uninspected vessels under subchapter C of this chapter. To obtain Coast Guard approval, each Coastal Service inflatable liferaft must comply with subpart 160.151, with the following exceptions: (a) Canopy requirements (Regulation III/38.1.5). The canopy may— (1) Be of a type that is furled when the liferaft inflates and that can be set in place by the occupants. A furled canopy must be secured to the buoyancy tubes over 50 percent or more of the liferaft's circumference; (2) Be of an uninsulated, single-ply design; and (3) Have an interior of any color. (b) Viewing port (Regulation III/38.1.5.5). The liferaft need not have the viewing port described in Regulation III/38.1.5.5. (c) Rainwater collection (Regulation III/38.1.5.6). The liferaft need not have the means of rainwater collection described in Regulation III/38.1.5.6. (d) Capacity (Regulation III/38.2.1). The carrying capacity must be not less than four persons. (e) Floor insulation (Regulation III/39.2.2). The floor may be uninsulated. (f) Boarding ramps (Regulation III/39.4.1). The liferaft need be provided with boarding ramps only if the combined cross-section diameter of the buoyancy chambers is greater than 500 mm (19.5 in). (g) Stability (Regulation III/39.5.1). Each Coastal Service inflatable liferaft must either meet the stability criteria in §160.151–17(a) or be fitted with water-containing stability pockets meeting the following requirements: (1) The total volume of the pockets must be not less than 25 percent of the minimum required volume of the principal buoyancy compartments of the liferaft. (2) The pockets must be securely attached and evenly distributed around the periphery of the exterior bottom of the liferaft. They may be omitted at the locations of inflation cylinders. (3) The pockets must be designed to deploy underwater when the liferaft inflates. If weights are used for this purpose, they must be of corrosion-resistant material. (h) Lamp (Regulation III/39.6.3). The liferaft need not have the manually controlled interior lamp described in Regulation III/39.6.3. (i) Markings (Regulations III/39.7.3.4 and III/39.7.3.5). The words “COASTAL SERVICE” must appear on the container, and the type of equipment pack must be identified as “Coastal Service”. No “SOLAS” markings may appear on the container. (j) Drop test. The drop test required under paragraph 1/5.1 of IMO Resolution A.689(17) and 160.151–27(a) may be from a lesser height, if that height is the maximum height of stowage marked on the container. (k) Loading and seating test. For the loading and seating test required under paragraph 1/5.7 of IMO Resolution A.689(17) and §160.151–27(a), the loaded freeboard of the liferaft must be not less than 200 mm (8 in.). (l) Cold-inflation test. The cold-inflation test required under paragraph 1/5.17.3.3.2 of IMO Resolution A.689(17) and §160.151–27(a) must be conducted at a test temperature of −18 °C (0 °F). To obtain Coast Guard approval, each A and B inflatable liferaft must comply with the requirements in subpart 160.151, with the following exceptions: (a) Capacity (Regulation III/38.2.1). The carrying capacity must be not less than four persons. (b) Markings (Regulations III/39.7.3.4 and III/39.7.3.5). The type of equipment pack must be identified as “A” or “B”, respectively, instead of “SOLAS A” or “SOLAS B”. No “SOLAS” markings may appear on the container. In lieu of the equipment specified in §160.151–21, the following equipment must be provided with a Coastal Service inflatable liferaft: (a) Rescue quoit and heaving line. One rescue quoit and a heaving line as described in §160.151–21(a). (b) Knife. One knife, of a type designed to minimize the chance of damage to the inflatable liferaft and secured with a lanyard. (c) Bailer. One bailer as described in §160.151–21(c). (d) Sponge. One sponge as described in §160.151–21(d). (e) Sea anchor. One sea anchor as described in §160.151–21(e). (f) Paddles. Two paddles of the same size and type as used to pass the maneuverability test in paragraph 1/5.10 of IMO Resolution A.689(17). (g) Whistle. One whistle as described in §160.151–21(i) of this part. (h) Flashlight. One flashlight with spare batteries as described in §160.151–21(m). (i) Signalling mirror. One signalling mirror as described in §160.151–21(o). (j) Survival instructions. Instructions on how to survive as described in §160.151–21(v). (k) Instructions for immediate action. Instructions for immediate action as described in §160.151–21(w). (l) Repair outfit. One set of sealing clamps or plugs as described in §160.151–21(y)(1). (m) Pump or bellows. One pump or bellows as described in §160.151–21(z). (n) Plugs for pressure-relief valves. Plugs for pressure-relief valves as described in §160.151–21(aa).
Title 46: Shipping
PART 160—LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT
Subpart 160.051—Inflatable Liferafts for Domestic Service
§ 160.051-1 Scope.
§ 160.051-3 Definitions.
§ 160.051-5 Design and performance of Coastal Service inflatable liferafts.
§ 160.051-7 Design and performance of A and B inflatable liferafts.
§ 160.051-9 Equipment required for Coastal Service inflatable liferafts.
