46 CFR 141.330: Skiffs as survival craft
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section lets a skiff replace all or part of the approved survival craft on certain towing vessels. The skiff needs no Coast Guard approval but must meet conditions on launching, size, loading, modifications, design and marking.
Applies toTowing vessels that do not operate more than 3 miles from shore.
What it says
A skiff may be substituted for all or part of the approved survival craft on towing vessels that do not operate more than 3 miles from shore.
“A skiff may be substituted for all or part of the approved survival craft for towing vessels that do not operate more than 3 miles from shore.”
A skiff used as a survival craft does not require Coast Guard approval, but it must meet the conditions listed in the section.
“A skiff used as a survival craft does not require Coast Guard approval but must:”
The skiff must be capable of being launched within 5 minutes under all circumstances.
46 CFR 141.330(a)“Be capable of being launched within 5 minutes under all circumstances;”
The skiff must be of suitable size for all persons on board the towing vessel.
46 CFR 141.330(b)“Be of suitable size for all persons on board the towing vessel;”
The skiff must not exceed the loading specified on the capacity plate required by 33 CFR 183.23.
46 CFR 141.330(c)“Not exceed the loading specified on the capacity plate required by 33 CFR 183.23;”
The skiff must not contain modifications affecting its buoyancy or structure.
46 CFR 141.330(d)“Not contain modifications affecting the buoyancy or structure of the skiff;”
The skiff must be marked in accordance with §§ 199.176 and 199.178 of this chapter.
46 CFR 141.330(f)“Be marked in accordance with §§ 199.176 and 199.178 of this chapter.”
Common questions
Can a skiff be used as a survival craft on a towing vessel?
Yes, a skiff may be substituted for all or part of the approved survival craft on towing vessels that do not operate more than 3 miles from shore.
“A skiff may be substituted for all or part of the approved survival craft for towing vessels that do not operate more than 3 miles from shore.”
Does a skiff used as a survival craft need Coast Guard approval?
No, a skiff used as a survival craft does not require Coast Guard approval. It must still meet the conditions listed in the section.
“A skiff used as a survival craft does not require Coast Guard approval but must:”
How quickly must a survival skiff be launchable?
The skiff must be capable of being launched within 5 minutes under all circumstances.
“Be capable of being launched within 5 minutes under all circumstances;”
The text of 46 CFR 141.330
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Skiffs as survival craft
A skiff may be substituted for all or part of the approved survival craft for towing vessels that do not operate more than 3 miles from shore. A skiff used as a survival craft does not require Coast Guard approval but must:
(a) Be capable of being launched within 5 minutes under all circumstances;
(b) Be of suitable size for all persons on board the towing vessel;
(c) Not exceed the loading specified on the capacity plate required by 33 CFR 183.23;
(d) Not contain modifications affecting the buoyancy or structure of the skiff;
(e) Be of suitable design for the vessel's intended service; and
(f) Be marked in accordance with §§ 199.176 and 199.178 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.