Regulations last checked for updates: May 02, 2025

Title 46 - Shipping last revised: Mar 17, 2025
All TitlesTitle 46Chapter IPart 199Subpart F - Subpart F—Exemptions and Alternatives for Vessels Not Subject to SOLAS
View all text of Subpart F [§ 199.600 - § 199.640]
§ 199.610 - Exemptions for vessels in specified services.

(a) All vessels. Vessels operating in coastwise, Great Lakes, lakes, bays and sounds, and rivers services are exempt from requirements in subparts A through E of this part as specified in table 199.610(a) of this section.

Table 199.610(a)—Exemptions for All Vessels in Specified Services

Section or paragraph in this part Service
Coastwise Great Lakes Lakes, bays, and sounds Rivers
199.60(c): Distress signals( 1)( 1)ExemptExempt.
199.70(a)(3)(iii): Lifebuoys fitted with smoke signalsExemptExemptExemptExempt.
199.70(b)(1)(i): Carriage of additional child-size lifejackets( 2)( 2)( 2)( 2)
199.70(b)(4)(i): Lifejacket lights (for lifejackets)( 3)( 3)ExemptExempt.
199.70(c)(4)(i): Lifejacket lights (for immersion suits)( 3)( 3)ExemptExempt.
199.70(b)(4)(ii): Lifejacket whistlesExemptExemptExemptExempt.
199.70(c): Immersion suits for rescue boat crew membersNot ExemptNot ExemptExemptExempt.
199.70(c)(4)(ii): Immersion suit whistlesExemptExemptExemptExempt.
199.100(c)(1): Requirements for person-in-charge of survival craftNot ExemptNot ExemptNot ExemptExempt.
199.100(d): Designation of second-in-command of lifeboat( 4)( 4)( 4)Exempt.
199.110(f): Embarkation ladders at launching stations( 5)( 5)( 5)( 5)
199.130(a)(4): Survival craft stowage positionNot ExemptNot ExemptExemptExempt.
199.170: Line-throwing applianceNot ExemptExemptExemptExempt.
199.175(b)(21)(i)(G) or 199.640(j)(4)(iii)(E): Float-free link( 6)( 6)( 6)( 6)
199.190(j): Renewal of survival craft fallsNot Exempt( 7)( 7)( 7)
199.202 or 199.262 Rescue boats( 8)( 8)( 8)( 8)
199.510: EPIRB requirement( 8 9)( 8 10)ExemptExempt.

Notes:

1 Exempt if the vessel operates on a route with a duration of 30 minutes or less.

2 Exempt if the vessel does not carry persons smaller than the lower size limit of the lifejackets carried.

3 Exempt if the vessel is a ferry or has no overnight accommodations.

4 Exempt if the lifeboat has a carrying capacity of less than 40 persons.

5 Exempt if the distance is less than 3 meters (10 feet) from the embarkation deck to the water with the vessel in its lightest seagoing operating condition.

6 Exempt if the vessel operates on a route on which the water depth is never more than the length of the painter.

7 Exempt if the vessel operates on a fresh water route and inspection shows that the falls are not damaged by corrosion.

8 Exempt if the vessel is non-self propelled and in tow, moored to or alongside a MODU or a self-propelled vessel, or moored to shore.

9 Exempt if the vessel is a cargo vessel under 300 tons gross tonnage and operates on a route no more than 3 nautical miles from shore.

10 Exempt if the vessel operates on a route no more than 3 nautical miles from shore.

(b) Passenger vessels. In addition to the exemptions in paragraph (a) of this section, passenger vessels operating in coastwise; Great Lakes; lakes, bays, and sounds; and rivers service are exempt from requirements in subparts A through E of this part as specified in table 199.610(b) of this section.

Table 199.610(b)—Exemptions for Passenger Vessels in Specified Services

Section or paragraph in this part Service
Coastwise Great Lakes Lakes, bays, and sounds Rivers
199.203: Marshalling of liferaftsNot ExemptExemptExemptExempt.
199.211(b): Lights on lifebuoys( 1)( 1)( 1)( 1)
199.212(a): Carriage of additional five percent lifejacketsExemptExemptExemptExempt.
199.214: Immersion suits and thermal protective aids in lifeboatsNot ExemptNot ExemptExemptExempt.

Note:

1 Exempt if the length of vessel is under 60 meters (197 feet) and there are self-igniting lights attached to at least one-half the required lifebuoys.

(c) Cargo vessels. In addition to the exemptions in paragraph (a) of this section, cargo vessels are exempt from requirements in subparts A through E of this part as specified in table 199.610(c) of this section.

Table 199.610(c)—Exemptions for Cargo Vessels in Specified Services

Section or paragraph in this part Service
Oceans Coastwise Great Lakes Lakes, Bays, and Sounds Rivers
199.70(a)(3)(ii): Lights on lifebuoysNot exempt( 1)( 1)( 1)( 1)
199.80(b): Muster list( 2)( 2)( 2)( 2)( 2)
199.262(a): Rescue boats( 2 3)( 3)( 3)( 3)( 3)
199.273: Immersion suitsNot exemptNot exemptNot exemptExemptExempt

Notes:

1 Exempt if the length of vessel is under 30 meters (99 feet).

2 Exempt if the vessel is under 500 tons gross tonnage.

3 Exempt if—(i) the OCMI determines the vessel is arranged to allow a helpless person to be recovered from the water.

(ii) recovery of the helpless person can be observed from the navigating bridge; and

(iii) the vessel does not regularly engage in operations that restrict its maneuverability.

[CGD 84-069, 61 FR 25313, May 20, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 52819, Oct. 1, 1998; USCG-1999-6216, 64 FR 53229, Oct. 1, 1999; USCG-2000-7790, 65 FR 58465, Sept. 29, 2000]
authority: 46 U.S.C. 3306,3703; Pub. L. 103-206, 107 Stat. 2439; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4
source: CGD 84-069, 61 FR 25313, May 20, 1996, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 46 CFR 199.610
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