46 CFR 144.500: Means of escape from crew spaces
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers means of escape from spaces where crew may be quartered or normally employed. Where practicable, each such space must have at least two means of escape, except as provided in § 144.515. Separately, arrangements on an existing vessel may be retained if it is impracticable or unreasonable to provide two means of escape.
Applies toSpaces where crew may be quartered or normally employed, and existing vessels whose arrangements may be retained if two means of escape are impracticable or unreasonable.
What it says
Where practicable, each space where crew may be quartered or normally employed must have at least two means of escape, except as provided in § 144.515.
“Where practicable and except as provided in § 144.515, each space where crew may be quartered or normally employed must have at least two means of escape.”
Arrangements on an existing vessel may be retained if it is impracticable or unreasonable to provide two means of escape.
“Arrangements on an existing vessel may be retained if it is impracticable or unreasonable to provide two means of escape.”
Common questions
How many means of escape must crew spaces have?
Where practicable, each space where crew may be quartered or normally employed must have at least two means of escape. This is subject to the exception in § 144.515.
“Where practicable and except as provided in § 144.515, each space where crew may be quartered or normally employed must have at least two means of escape.”
Can an existing vessel keep its current escape arrangements?
An existing vessel's arrangements may be retained if it is impracticable or unreasonable to provide two means of escape.
“Arrangements on an existing vessel may be retained if it is impracticable or unreasonable to provide two means of escape.”
The text of 46 CFR 144.500
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Means of escape
Where practicable and except as provided in § 144.515, each space where crew may be quartered or normally employed must have at least two means of escape. Arrangements on an existing vessel may be retained if it is impracticable or unreasonable to provide two means of escape.
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.