46 C.F.R. Subpart 160.056—Rescue Boat
Title 46 - Shipping
Source: CGFR 61–15, 26 FR 9300, Sept. 30, 1961, unless otherwise noted.
(a) Rescue boats accepted and in use prior to the effective date of this subpart may be continued in service if in satisfactory condition. (b) All rescue boats must be properly constructed, of such form as to be readily maneuverable, and be of the open rowboat type. They shall be suitable for use of three persons. (c) Rescue boats shall be constructed of materials acceptable to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, having jurisdiction of construction. (a) General. Rescue boats shall be square-sterned, of normal proportions, not less than 11 feet nor more than 14 feet in length. The length shall be the overall horizontal distance from bow to stern. (b) Construction. The method of construction shall be such as is accepted as good engineering practice in the case of the specific material used. The hull shall be suitably stiffened to assure adequate strength. (c) Weight. The weight of the rescue boat, fully equipped, shall not exceed 225 pounds. (d) Seats. The rescue boat shall be fitted with three thwarts. The middle thwart shall be arranged as the rowing seat. (e) Internal buoyancy. Buoyant material of suitable unicellular plastic foam shall be installed in the rescue boat. This material shall be protected from mechanical damage. It shall be distributed uniformly in the boat and such that at least one-quarter of the required volume is located at the sides of the boat. The minimum amount of buoyant material, in cubic feet, shall be determined by the following: B = 2 + (W − W ÷ d) ÷ 62.4 − c (1)
Where: B = Volume of buoyant material required in cubic feet. W = Weight of equipped boat, in pounds. d = Specific gravity of hull material. c = Density of buoyant material, in pounds per cubic foot. (a) Fittings. (1) The rescue boat shall be fitted with one pair of rowlock sockets. Detachable rowlocks shall be permanently attached to the boat by chain or other suitable means. (2) At least one eyebolt, ring, or other fitting suitable for attaching a painter shall be fitted to the bow and stern. (b) Equipment. (1) The rescue boat shall be provided with one pair of oars of suitable size and material. (2) A painter shall be attached to the bow and to the stern fittings. Each shall be of suitable material, at least (a) Drop test. The rescue boat, fully equipped, shall be dropped, in a free fall, from a ten-foot height into water. No damage which would render the rescue boat unserviceable shall result from this drop. (b) Stability and freeboard test. The rescue boat shall have sufficient stability and freeboard so that the gunwale on the low side shall not be submerged with 350 pounds placed nine inches from the side in way of and about the level of the middle thwart. (c) Rescue boarding test. With one man in the rowing position, a second kneeling on the stern thwart facing aft, and a third man balanced on the transom, the minimum freeboard of the transom shall be five inches. The men should average 165 pounds each. This test simulates the rescue of a person over the transom by a two-man boat crew. (d) Rowing test. Three men, averaging 165 pounds each, shall be seated on the centerline of the boat, one on each thwart. One man, in the rowing position, using ordinary rowing technique, shall demonstrate the satisfactory course keeping and maneuvering characteristics of the boat in the ahead and astern directions. (a) Each rescue boat shall have permanently fitted at the transom a metal name plate, galvanically compatible with the hull material, and bearing information relating to the testing and approval of the prototype boat. Either raised or indented letters shall be used. (b) The following information shall appear on the name plate:
RescueBoat U.S.C.G. Specification 160.056 (a) The manufacturer shall submit a request for approval to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, having jurisdiction of the place of manufacture of the rescue boat. (b) Formal plans will not be required. However, a combined general arrangement and construction plan is required, which includes principal dimensions, and descriptive data of hull material, buoyant material, and equipment. (c) When plans and data are satisfactory, the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, will assign a marine inspector to conduct the tests required by §160.056–4. (d) Upon successful completion of the test, the inspector shall submit a written report to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection. A copy of this report, with plans and photographs, shall be forwarded to the Commandant for record purposes. The date of approval and the marine inspector's initials shall be indicated in this report. (e) The Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, shall issue a letter to the manufacturer indicating that approval of the rescue boat has been granted, and will include any conditions imposed. A copy of this approval letter shall be forwarded to the District Commander and to the Commandant. (f) If a rescue boat is required on short notice, a boat may be approved on an individual basis: Provided, That the requirements in this subpart are met to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge Marine Inspection. Sketches of the boat showing alterations may be submitted in lieu of the manufacturer's general arrangement and construction plan. Under these circumstances, the letter indicating that approval of the rescue boat has been granted shall be issued to the vessel using the boat. [CGFR 61–15, 26 FR 9300, Sept. 30, 1961, as amended by CGFR 65–9, 30 FR 11480, Sept. 8, 1965]
Title 46: Shipping
PART 160—LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT
Subpart 160.056—Rescue Boat
§ 160.056-1 General requirements.
§ 160.056-2 Construction.
§ 160.056-3 Fittings and equipment.
§ 160.056-4 Approval tests of prototype rescue boat.
§ 160.056-6 Name plate.
Manufacturer's name and address____________________§ 160.056-7 Procedure for approval.
