#### § 28.120 Survival craft.

(a) Except as provided in [paragraphs (b)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(b)) through [(h)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(h)) of this section and 28.305, each vessel must carry the survival craft specified in table [28.120(a)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(a)), table [28.120(b)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(b)), or table [28.120(c)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(c)), as appropriate for the vessel, in an aggregate capacity to accommodate the total number of individuals on board.

(b) The requirements of this section do not apply to vessels less than 10.97 meters (36 feet) in length with 3 or fewer individuals on board which operate within 12 miles of the coastline.

(c) A buoyant apparatus may be substituted instead of the requirements in this section for vessels 10.97 meters (36 feet) or more in length with 3 or fewer individuals on board which operate within 12 miles of the coastline.

(d) Each survival craft installed on board a vessel before September 15, 1991, may continue to be used to meet the requirements of this section provided the survival craft is—

(1) Of the same type as required in tables [28.120(a)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(a)), [28.120(b)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(b)), or [28.120(c)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(c)), as appropriate for the vessel type; and

(2) Maintained in good and serviceable condition.

(e) Each inflatable liferaft installed on board a vessel before September 15, 1991, may continue to be used to meet the requirements for an approved inflatable liferaft, provided the existing liferaft is—

(1) Maintained in good and serviceable condition as required by table 28.140; and

(2) Equipped with the equipment pack required by tables [28.120(a)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(a)), [28.120(b)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(b)), or [28.120(c)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(c)), as appropriate for the vessel type. Where no equipment pack is specified in tables [28.120(a)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(a)), [28.120(b)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(b)), or [28.120(c)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(c)), a coastal service pack is the minimum required.

(f) A lifeboat may be substituted for any survival craft required by this section, provided it is arranged and equipped in accordance with [part 199 of this chapter](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/part-199).

(g) The capacity of an auxiliary craft carried on board a vessel that is integral to and necessary for normal fishing operations will satisfy the requirements of this section for survival craft, except for an inflatable liferaft, provided the craft is readily accessible during an emergency and is capable of safely holding all individuals on board the vessel. If the auxiliary craft is equipped with a Coast Guard required capacity plate, the boat must not be loaded so as to exceed the rated capacity.

(h) A vessel less than 10.97 meters (36 feet) in length that meets the flotation provisions of [33 CFR part 183](/on/2024-09-23/title-33/part-183) is exempt from the requirement for survival craft in [paragraph (a)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(a)) of this section for operation on—

(1) Any waters within 12 miles of the coastline.

(2) Rivers.

Table [28.120](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120)(a)—Survival Craft for Documented Vessels

| Area | Vessel type | Survival craft required |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Beyond 50 miles of coastline | All | Inflatable liferaft with SOLAS A pack. |
| Between 20-50 miles of coastline, *cold* waters | All | Inflatable liferaft with SOLAS B pack. |
| Between 20-50 miles of coastline, *warm* waters | All | Inflatable liferaft. |
| Beyond Boundary Line, between 12-20 miles of coastline, *cold* waters | All | Inflatable liferaft. |
| Beyond Boundary Line, within 12 miles of coastline, *cold* waters | 10.97 meters (36 feet) or more in length | Inflatable buoyant apparatus. See note 2. |
| Beyond Boundary Line, within 12 miles of coastline, *cold* waters | Less than 10.97 meters (36 feet) in length | Buoyant apparatus. See note 2. |
| Beyond Boundary Line, within 20 miles of coastline, *warm* waters | All | Life float. See note 2. |
| Inside Boundary Line, *cold* waters; or Lakes, bays, sounds, *cold* waters; or Rivers, *cold* waters | 10.97 meters (36 feet) or more in length | Inflatable buoyant apparatus. See note 2. |
| Inside Boundary Line, *cold* waters; or Lakes, bays, sounds, *cold* waters; or Rivers, *cold* waters | Less than 10.97 meters (36 feet) in length | Buoyant apparatus. See note 2. |
| Inside Boundary Line, *warm* waters; or Lakes, bays, sounds, *warm* waters; or Rivers, *warm* waters | All | None. |
| Great Lakes, *cold* waters | 10.97 meters (36 feet) or more in length | Inflatable buoyant apparatus. See note 2. |
| Great Lakes, *cold* waters | Less than 10.97 meters (36 feet) in length | Buoyant apparatus. See note 2. |
| Great Lakes, beyond 3 miles of coastline, *warm* waters | All | Buoyant apparatus. See note 2. |
| Great Lakes, within 3 miles of coastline, *warm* waters | All | None. |
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Note:** 1. The hierarchy of survival craft in descending order is lifeboat, inflatable liferaft with SOLAS A pack, inflatable liferaft with SOLAS B pack, inflatable liferaft with coastal service pack, inflatable buoyant apparatus, life float, buoyant apparatus. A survival craft higher in the hierarchy may be substituted for any survival craft required in this table. | | |
| 2. If a vessel carriers 3 or fewer individuals within 12 miles of the coastline, see [§ 28.120 (b)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(b)) and [(c)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(c)) for carriage substitution. | | |

Table [28.120](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120)(b)—Survival Craft for Undocumented Vessels With Not More Than 16 Individuals on Board

| Area | Vessel type | Survival craft required |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Beyond 20 miles of coastline | All | Inflatable buoyant apparatus. |
| Beyond Boundary Line, between 12-20 miles of coastline, *cold* waters | All | Inflatable buoyant apparatus. |
| Beyond Boundary Line, within 12 miles of coastline, *cold* waters | 10.97 meters (36 feet) or more in length | Buoyant apparatus. |
| Beyond Boundary Line, within 12 miles of coastline, *cold* waters | Less than 10.97 meters (36 feet) in length | Buoyant apparatus. See note 2. |
| Beyond Boundary Line, within 20 miles of coastline, *warm* waters | All | Life float. See note 2. |
| Inside Boundary Line, *cold* waters; or Lakes, bays, sounds, *cold* waters; or rivers, *cold* water | 10.97 meters (36 feet) or more in length | Buoyant apparatus. |
| Inside Boundary Line, *cold* waters; or Lakes, bays, sounds, cold waters; or Rivers, *cold* water | Less than 10.97 meters (36 feet) in length | Buoyant apparatus See note 2. |
| Inside Boundary Line, *warm* waters; or Lakes, bays, sounds, *warm* waters; or Rivers, *warm* waters | All | None. |
| Great Lakes, *cold* waters | All | Buoyant apparatus. See note 2. |
| Great Lakes, beyond 3 miles of coastline *warm* waters | All | Buoyant apparatus. See note 2. |
| Great Lakes, within 3 miles of coastline *warm* waters | All | None. |
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Note:** 1. The hierarchy of survival craft in descending order is lifeboat, inflatable liferaft with SOLAS A pack, inflatable liferaft with SOLAS B pack, inflatable liferaft with coastal service pack, inflatable buoyant apparatus, life float, buoyant apparatus. A survival craft higher in the hierarchy may be substituted for any survival craft required in this table. | | |
| 2. If a vessel carries 3 or fewer individuals within 12 miles of the coastline, see [§ 28.120 (b)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(b)) and [(c)](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120#p-28.120(c)) for carriage substitution. | | |

Table [28.120](/on/2024-09-23/title-46/section-28.120)(c)—Survival Craft for Undocumented Vessels With More Than 16 Individuals on Board

| Area | Vessel type | Survival craft required |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Beyond 50 miles of coastline | All | Inflatable liferaft with SOLAS A pack. |
| Between 20-50 miles of coastline, *cold* waters | All | Inflatable liferaft with SOLAS B pack. |
| Between 20-50 miles of coastline, *warm* waters | All | Inflatable liferaft. |
| Beyond Boundary Line, between 12-20 miles of coastline, *cold* waters | All | Inflatable liferaft. |
| Beyond Boundary Line, within 12 miles of coastline, *cold* waters | 10.97 meters (36 feet) or more in length | Inflatable buoyant apparatus. |
| Beyond Boundary Line, within 12 miles of coastline, *cold* waters | Less than 10.97 meters (36 feet) in length | Buoyant apparatus. |
| Beyond Boundary Line, within 20 miles of coastline, *warm* waters | All | Life float. |
| Inside Boundary Line, *cold* waters; or Lakes, bays, sounds, *cold* waters; or Rivers, *cold* waters | 10.97 meters (36 feet) or more in length | Inflatable buoyant apparatus. |
| Inside Boundary Line, *cold* waters; or Lakes, bays, sounds, *cold* waters; or Rivers, *cold* waters | Less than 10.97 meters (36 feet) in length | Buoyant apparatus. |
| Inside Boundary Line, *warm* waters; or Lakes, bays, sounds, *warm* waters; or Rivers, *warm* waters | All | None. |
| Great Lakes, *cold* waters | 10.97 meters (36 feet) or more in length | Inflatable buoyant apparatus. |
| Great Lakes, *cold* waters | Less than 10.97 meters (36 feet) in length | Buoyant apparatus. |
| Great Lakes, beyond 3 miles of coastline *warm* waters | All | Buoyant apparatus. |
| Great Lakes, within 3 miles of coastline *warm* waters | All | None. |
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Note:** 1. The hierarchy of survival craft in descending order is lifeboat, liferaft with SOLAS A pack, Inflatable liferaft with SOLAS A pack, liferaft with SOLAS B pack, Inflatable liferaft with SOLAS B pack, Inflatable liferaft with coastal service pack, inflatable buoyant apparatus, life float, buoyant apparatus. A survival craft higher in the hierarchy may be substituted for any survival craft required in this table. | | |

[CGD 96-046, [61 FR 57273](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/61-FR-57273), Nov. 5, 1996; CGD 96-046, [61 FR 68162](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/61-FR-68162), Dec. 27, 1996, as amended by CGD 96-046, [62 FR 46676](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/62-FR-46676), Sept. 4, 1997; USCG-2002-13058, [67 FR 61278](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/67-FR-61278), Sept. 30, 2002; USCG-2014-0688, [79 FR 58279](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/79-FR-58279), Sept. 29, 2014]