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commenced comprising of at least 50 metric 
tons or one percent of the estimated mass of all 
structural material, whichever is less. 
‘‘(B) In the case of a vessel greater than 79 
feet in overall length, for purposes of subparagraph 
(A)(i), a keel is deemed to be laid when a marine 
surveyor affirms that a structure adequate for serv-
ing as a keel for such vessel is in place and identi-
fied for use in the construction of such vessel. 
‘‘(4) The term ‘subject vessel’ means a vessel to 
which this chapter applies that— 
‘‘(A) operates beyond 3 nautical miles from 
the baseline from which the territorial sea of 
the United States is measured or beyond 3 nau-
tical miles from the coastline of the Great 
Lakes; 
‘‘(B) operates with more than 16 individ-
uals on board; or 
‘‘(C) in the case of a fish tender vessel, en-
gages in the Aleutian trade. 
‘‘(5) The term ‘substitute-eligible vessel’ means 
a fishing vessel or fish tender vessel that is— 
‘‘(A) a subject vessel; 
‘‘(B) at least 50 feet overall in length, and 
not more than 180 feet overall in length as list-
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ed on the vessel’s certificate of documentation 
or certificate of number; and 
‘‘(C) built after February 8, 2016. 
‘‘§ 4503. Safety standards 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall prescribe 
regulations that require that each vessel to which this 
chapter applies shall be equipped with— 
‘‘(1) readily accessible fire extinguishers capable 
of promptly and effectively extinguishing a flam-
mable or combustible liquid fuel fire; 
‘‘(2) at least one readily accessible life preserver 
or other lifesaving device for each individual on 
board; 
‘‘(3) an efficient flame arrestor, backfire trap, 
or other similar device on the carburetors of each in-
board engine that uses gasoline as fuel; 
‘‘(4) the means to properly and efficiently venti-
late enclosed spaces, including engine and fuel tank 
compartments, so as to remove explosive or flam-
mable gases; 
‘‘(5) visual distress signals; 
‘‘(6) other equipment required to minimize the 
risk of injury to the crew during vessel operations, 
if the Secretary determines that a risk of serious in-
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jury exists that can be eliminated or mitigated by 
that equipment; and 
‘‘(7) a placard as required by regulations pre-
scribed under section 10603(b). 
‘‘(b) SUBJECT VESSELS.—In addition to the require-
ments of subsection (a), the Secretary shall prescribe reg-
ulations requiring that subject vessels install, maintain, 
and use the following equipment: 
‘‘(1) Alerting and locating equipment, including 
emergency position indicating radio beacons. 
‘‘(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), a survival 
craft that— 
‘‘(i) ensures that no part of an individual 
is immersed in water; and 
‘‘(ii) is sufficient to accommodate all indi-
viduals on board. 
‘‘(B) Except for a nonapplicable vessel, an aux-
iliary craft shall satisfy the equipment requirement 
under paragraph (2)(B) if such craft is— 
‘‘(i) necessary for normal fishing oper-
ations; 
‘‘(ii) readily accessible during an emer-
gency; and 
‘‘(iii) capable, in accordance with the Coast 
Guard capacity rating, when applicable, of safe-
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ly holding all individuals on board the vessel to 
which the craft functions as an auxiliary. 
‘‘(3) At least one readily accessible immersion 
suit for each individual on board the vessel when op-
erating on the waters described in section 3102. 
‘‘(4) Marine radio communications equipment 
sufficient to effectively communicate with a land- 
based search and rescue facility. 
‘‘(5) Navigation equipment, including com-
passes, nautical charts, and publications. 
‘‘(6) First aid equipment and medical supplies 
sufficient for the size and area of operation of the 
vessel. 
‘‘(7) Ground tackle sufficient for the vessel. 
‘‘(c) ACCOUNTABLE VESSELS.—In addition to the re-
quirements described in subsections (a) and (b), the Sec-
retary may prescribe regulations establishing minimum 
safety standards for accountable vessels, including stand-
ards relating to— 
‘‘(1) navigation equipment, including radars 
and fathometers; 
‘‘(2) lifesaving equipment, immersion suits, sig-
naling devices, bilge pumps, bilge alarms, life rails, 
and grab rails; 
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‘‘(3) fire protection and firefighting equipment, 
including fire alarms and portable and semiportable 
fire extinguishing equipment; 
‘‘(4) use and installation of insulation material; 
‘‘(5) storage methods for flammable or combus-
tible material; and 
‘‘(6) fuel, ventilation, and electrical systems. 
‘‘§ 4504. Vessel construction 
‘‘A vessel to which this chapter applies shall be con-
structed in a manner that provides a level of safety equiva-
lent to the minimum safety standards the Secretary may 
establish for recreational vessels under section 4302, if the 
vessel is— 
‘‘(1) a subject vessel; 
‘‘(2) less than 50 feet overall in length; and 
‘‘(3) built after January 1, 2010. 
‘‘§ 4505. Operating stability 
‘‘(a) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall prescribe 
regulations for the operating stability of a vessel to which 
this chapter applies— 
‘‘(1) that was built after December 31, 1989; or 
‘‘(2) the physical characteristics of which are 
substantially altered after December 31, 1989, in a 
manner that affects the vessel’s operating stability. 
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