46 CFR 117.210: Rescue boat requirements for vessels

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section requires each vessel to carry at least one rescue boat unless the cognizant OCMI makes three specific determinations. It describes what a rescue boat must be like. It also says which rescue boat approvals are acceptable by vessel length and waters.

Applies toEach vessel, with rescue boat acceptance rules that depend on vessel length and the waters of operation.

What it says

  1. Each vessel must carry at least one rescue boat unless the cognizant OCMI determines that the conditions in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) are met.

    46 CFR 117.210(a)“Each vessel must carry at least one rescue boat unless the cognizant OCMI determines that:”

  2. One condition for omitting a rescue boat is that the vessel is sufficiently maneuverable, arranged, and equipped to allow the crew to recover a helpless person from the water.

    46 CFR 117.210(a)(1)“The vessel is sufficiently maneuverable, arranged, and equipped to allow the crew to recover a helpless person from the water;”

  3. Another condition is that recovery of a helpless person can be observed from the operating station.

    46 CFR 117.210(a)(2)“Recovery of a helpless person can be observed from the operating station; and”

  4. A third condition is that the vessel does not regularly engage in operations that restrict its maneuverability.

    46 CFR 117.210(a)(3)“The vessel does not regularly engage in operations that restrict its maneuverability.”

  5. In general, a rescue boat must be a small, light-weight boat with built-in buoyancy that can be readily launched and easily maneuvered.

    46 CFR 117.210(b)“a rescue boat must be a small, light-weight boat with built-in buoyancy and be capable of being readily launched and easily maneuvered.”

  6. A rescue boat must also be of adequate proportion to permit taking an unconscious person on board without capsizing.

    46 CFR 117.210(b)“it must be of adequate proportion to permit taking an unconscious person on board without capsizing.”

  7. On a vessel of more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length operating on protected waters, a rescue boat approved under approval series 160.056 is acceptable in meeting the intent of this section.

    46 CFR 117.210(c)“On a vessel of more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length operating on protected waters, a rescue boat approved under approval series 160.056 is acceptable in meeting the intent of this section.”

  8. On a vessel of not more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length, a required rescue boat must be acceptable to the cognizant OCMI.

    46 CFR 117.210(c)“On a vessel of not more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length, a required rescue boat must be acceptable to the cognizant OCMI.”

Common questions

Does every vessel need a rescue boat?

Each vessel must carry at least one rescue boat unless the cognizant OCMI determines that the conditions in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) are met.

“Each vessel must carry at least one rescue boat unless the cognizant OCMI determines that:”

What kind of rescue boat is acceptable on a vessel over 19.8 meters on exposed waters?

On a vessel of more than 19.8 meters operating on exposed or partially protected waters, a rescue boat approved under approval series 160.156 is acceptable in meeting the intent of this section.

“On a vessel of more than 19.8 meters operating on exposed or partially protected waters, a rescue boat approved under approval series 160.156 is acceptable in meeting the intent of this section.”

Who accepts the rescue boat on a vessel of 19.8 meters or less?

On a vessel of not more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length, a required rescue boat must be acceptable to the cognizant OCMI.

“On a vessel of not more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length, a required rescue boat must be acceptable to the cognizant OCMI.”

The text of 46 CFR 117.210

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

Rescue boats

(a) Each vessel must carry at least one rescue boat unless the cognizant OCMI determines that:

(1) The vessel is sufficiently maneuverable, arranged, and equipped to allow the crew to recover a helpless person from the water;

(2) Recovery of a helpless person can be observed from the operating station; and

(3) The vessel does not regularly engage in operations that restrict its maneuverability.

(b) In general, a rescue boat must be a small, light-weight boat with built-in buoyancy and be capable of being readily launched and easily maneuvered. In addition, it must be of adequate proportion to permit taking an unconscious person on board without capsizing.

(c) On a vessel of more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length operating on protected waters, a rescue boat approved under approval series 160.056 is acceptable in meeting the intent of this section. On a vessel of more than 19.8 meters operating on exposed or partially protected waters, a rescue boat approved under approval series 160.156 is acceptable in meeting the intent of this section. On a vessel of not more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length, a required rescue boat must be acceptable to the cognizant OCMI.

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.