46 CFR 141.360: Lifebuoys on towing vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the number, size and placement of lifebuoys on towing vessels, based on vessel length. It also sets requirements for each lifebuoy, including approval, marking, lifelines and floating electric water lights.
Applies toTowing vessels.
What it says
A towing vessel less than 26 feet length must carry a minimum of one lifebuoy of not less than 510 millimeters (20 inches) in diameter.
46 CFR 141.360(a)(1)“A towing vessel less than 26 feet length must carry a minimum of one lifebuoy of not less than 510 millimeters (20 inches) in diameter.”
A towing vessel of at least 26 feet but less than 79 feet in length must carry a minimum of two lifebuoys on opposite sides of the vessel where personnel are normally present, each at least 610 millimeters (24 inches) in diameter.
46 CFR 141.360(a)(2)“A towing vessel of at least 26 feet, but less than 79 feet, in length must carry a minimum of two lifebuoys located on opposite sides of the vessel where personnel are normally present.”
A towing vessel 79 feet or more in length must carry four lifebuoys, with one located on each side of the operating station.
46 CFR 141.360(a)(3)“A towing vessel 79 feet or more in length must carry four lifebuoys, with one lifebuoy located on each side of the operating station.”
Each lifebuoy on a towing vessel must be approved under approval series 160.050 or 160.150.
46 CFR 141.360(b)(1)“Be approved under approval series 160.050 or 160.150;”
Each lifebuoy must be marked in block capital letters with the name of the vessel.
46 CFR 141.360(b)(4)“Be marked in block capital letters with the name of the vessel; and”
Each lifebuoy must be orange in color if it is on a vessel on an oceans or coastwise route.
46 CFR 141.360(b)(5)“Be orange in color, if on a vessel on an oceans or coastwise route.”
At least one lifebuoy must have a lifeline secured around its body. If more than one lifebuoy is carried, at least one must not have a lifeline attached.
46 CFR 141.360(c)(1)“At least one lifebuoy must have a lifeline, secured around the body of the lifebuoy. If more than one lifebuoy is carried, at least one must not have a lifeline attached.”
Each lifebuoy with a floating electric water light must have a lanyard of at least 910 millimeters (3 feet) but not more than 1,830 millimeters (6 feet) in length, securing the water light around the body of the lifebuoy.
46 CFR 141.360(c)(4)“Each lifebuoy with a floating electric water light must have a lanyard of at least 910 millimeters (3 feet) in length, but not more than 1,830 millimeters (6 feet)”
Common questions
How many lifebuoys must a towing vessel of 79 feet or more carry?
It must carry four lifebuoys, with one located on each side of the operating station.
“A towing vessel 79 feet or more in length must carry four lifebuoys, with one lifebuoy located on each side of the operating station.”
Does a towing vessel need a water light on its lifebuoy?
If it carries only one lifebuoy, that lifebuoy must have a floating electric water light, unless the vessel is limited to daytime operation. In that case no water light is required.
“unless the towing vessel is limited to daytime operation, in which case no floating electric water light is required.”
How long must a lifebuoy lifeline be?
Each lifeline on a lifebuoy must be at least 18.3 meters (60 feet) in length.
“Be of at least 18.3 meters (60 feet) in length;”
Can a lifebuoy be permanently attached to a towing vessel?
No. A lifebuoy must not be permanently secured to the vessel in any way, and it must be capable of being rapidly cast loose.
“Not be permanently secured to the vessel in any way;”
The text of 46 CFR 141.360
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Lifebuoys
(a) A towing vessel must carry lifebuoys as follows:
(1) A towing vessel less than 26 feet length must carry a minimum of one lifebuoy of not less than 510 millimeters (20 inches) in diameter.
(2) A towing vessel of at least 26 feet, but less than 79 feet, in length must carry a minimum of two lifebuoys located on opposite sides of the vessel where personnel are normally present. Lifebuoys must be at least 610 millimeters (24 inches) in diameter.
(3) A towing vessel 79 feet or more in length must carry four lifebuoys, with one lifebuoy located on each side of the operating station. Lifebuoys must be at least 610 millimeters (24 inches) in diameter.
(4) Where alternative means are used to meet the requirements of this section, as permitted by § 141.225, any TSMS applicable to the towing vessel must specify the number and location of lifebuoys in such a manner as to facilitate rapid deployment of lifebuoys from exposed decks, including the pilot house.
(b) Each lifebuoy on a towing vessel must:
(1) Be approved under approval series 160.050 or 160.150;
(2) Be capable of being rapidly cast loose;
(3) Not be permanently secured to the vessel in any way;
(4) Be marked in block capital letters with the name of the vessel; and
(5) Be orange in color, if on a vessel on an oceans or coastwise route.
(c) Lifebuoys must have the following attachments and fittings:
(1) At least one lifebuoy must have a lifeline, secured around the body of the lifebuoy. If more than one lifebuoy is carried, at least one must not have a lifeline attached. Each lifeline on a lifebuoy must:
(i) Be buoyant;
(ii) Be of at least 18.3 meters (60 feet) in length;
(iii) Be non-kinking;
(iv) Have a diameter of at least 7.9 millimeters ( 5/16 inch);
(v) Have a breaking strength of at least 5 kilonewtons (1,124 pounds); and
(vi) Be of a dark color if synthetic, or of a type certified to be resistant to deterioration from ultraviolet light.
(2) At least two lifebuoys on a towing vessel greater than 26 feet must be fitted with a floating electric water light approved under approval series 161.010 or 161.110, unless the towing vessel is limited to daytime operation, in which case no floating electric water light is required.
(3) If a towing vessel carries only one lifebuoy, the lifebuoy must be fitted with a floating electric water light approved under approval series 161.010 or 160.110, unless the towing vessel is limited to daytime operation, in which case no floating electric water light is required. The water light must be attached by the lanyard with a corrosion-resistant clip to allow the water light to be quickly disconnected from the lifebuoy. The clip must have a strength of at least 22.7 kilograms (50 pounds).
(4) Each lifebuoy with a floating electric water light must have a lanyard of at least 910 millimeters (3 feet) in length, but not more than 1,830 millimeters (6 feet), securing the water light around the body of the lifebuoy.
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.