46 CFR 113.25-10: Emergency red-flashing lights on vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section requires a red-flashing light or rotating beacon in certain spaces where the general emergency alarm signal cannot be heard over background noise. It sets conditions for the light's intensity, activation and power. It also requires a light visible in cargo pump rooms of vessels that carry combustible liquid cargoes.

Applies toSpaces described in § 113.25-9(a) where the general emergency alarm signal cannot be heard over background noise, and cargo pump rooms of vessels that carry combustible liquid cargoes.

What it says

  1. In a space described in § 113.25-9(a), where the general emergency alarm signal cannot be heard over background noise, there must be a red-flashing light or rotating beacon in addition to the general emergency alarm signal.

    46 CFR 113.25-10(a)“where the general emergency alarm signal cannot be heard over the background noise, there must be a red-flashing light or rotating beacon, in addition to the general emergency alarm signal”

  2. The light or beacon must have sufficient intensity above the background lighting to alert personnel in the space.

    46 CFR 113.25-10(a)(1)“Has sufficient intensity above the background lighting that would alert personnel in the space;”

  3. The light or beacon must be activated whenever the general emergency alarm signal in the space is activated.

    46 CFR 113.25-10(a)(2)“Is activated whenever the general emergency alarm signal in the space are activated; and”

  4. The light or beacon must be supplied by the general emergency alarm system power supply or the vessel emergency power source, through a relay operated by the general emergency alarm system.

    46 CFR 113.25-10(a)(3)“Is supplied by the general emergency alarm system power supply or the vessel emergency power source through a relay that is operated by the general emergency alarm system.”

  5. A red-flashing light or rotating beacon must be installed so that it is visible in the cargo pump rooms of vessels that carry combustible liquid cargoes.

    46 CFR 113.25-10(b)“must be installed so that it is visible in the cargo pump rooms of vessels that carry combustible liquid cargoes.”

  6. The installation in cargo pump rooms must be in accordance with part 111, subpart 111.105, of this chapter.

    46 CFR 113.25-10(b)“The installation must be in accordance with the requirements of part 111, subpart 111.105, of this chapter.”

Common questions

When is a red-flashing light required in addition to the general emergency alarm?

It is required in a space described in § 113.25-9(a) where the general emergency alarm signal cannot be heard over the background noise.

“where the general emergency alarm signal cannot be heard over the background noise, there must be a red-flashing light or rotating beacon, in addition to the general emergency alarm signal”

What powers the emergency red-flashing light?

The general emergency alarm system power supply or the vessel emergency power source supplies it, through a relay operated by the general emergency alarm system.

“Is supplied by the general emergency alarm system power supply or the vessel emergency power source through a relay that is operated by the general emergency alarm system.”

Do cargo pump rooms need a red-flashing light?

Yes, on vessels that carry combustible liquid cargoes, the light or beacon must be installed so it is visible in the cargo pump rooms.

“must be installed so that it is visible in the cargo pump rooms of vessels that carry combustible liquid cargoes.”

The text of 46 CFR 113.25-10

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Emergency red-flashing lights

(a) In a space described in § 113.25-9(a), where the general emergency alarm signal cannot be heard over the background noise, there must be a red-flashing light or rotating beacon, in addition to the general emergency alarm signal, that:

(1) Has sufficient intensity above the background lighting that would alert personnel in the space;

(2) Is activated whenever the general emergency alarm signal in the space are activated; and

(3) Is supplied by the general emergency alarm system power supply or the vessel emergency power source through a relay that is operated by the general emergency alarm system.

(b) A red-flashing light or rotating beacon must be installed so that it is visible in the cargo pump rooms of vessels that carry combustible liquid cargoes. The installation must be in accordance with the requirements of part 111, subpart 111.105, of this chapter.

Sections it refers to

The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.