46 CFR 160.050-2: Life buoy types and sizes

Last reviewed: October 19, 2026

This section sets the type and sizes of ring life buoys. Life buoys must be the annular ring type described in this subpart, and they must come in the sizes in Table 160.050-2(b). A tolerance of plus or minus 5 percent is allowed on the dimensions.

Applies toLife buoys covered by this subpart.

What it says

  1. Life buoys must be of the annular ring type as described in this subpart.

    46 CFR 160.050-2(a)“Life buoys shall be of the annular ring type as described in this subpart”

  2. Alternate arrangements that meet the performance requirements set forth will be given special consideration.

    46 CFR 160.050-2(a)“alternate arrangements meeting the performance requirements set forth will be given special consideration”

  3. Ring life buoys must be of the sizes set forth in Table 160.050-2(b).

    46 CFR 160.050-2(b)“Ring life buoys shall be of the sizes set forth in Table 160.050-2(b).”

  4. A tolerance of plus or minus 5 percent is allowable on the dimensions indicated in Table 160.050-2(b).

    46 CFR 160.050-2(b)“A tolerance of a plus or minus 5 percent will be allowable on the dimensions indicated in Table 160.050-2(b).”

Common questions

What type of life buoy does 46 CFR 160.050-2 require?

Life buoys must be of the annular ring type as described in this subpart. Alternate arrangements meeting the performance requirements will be given special consideration.

“Life buoys shall be of the annular ring type as described in this subpart, but alternate arrangements meeting the performance requirements set forth will be given special consideration.”

What tolerance is allowed on ring life buoy dimensions?

A tolerance of plus or minus 5 percent is allowable on the dimensions indicated in Table 160.050-2(b).

“A tolerance of a plus or minus 5 percent will be allowable on the dimensions indicated in Table 160.050-2(b).”

Where are ring life buoy sizes listed?

Ring life buoys must be of the sizes set forth in Table 160.050-2(b).

“Ring life buoys shall be of the sizes set forth in Table 160.050-2(b).”

The text of 46 CFR 160.050-2

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

Types and sizes

(a) Type. Life buoys shall be of the annular ring type as described in this subpart, but alternate arrangements meeting the performance requirements set forth will be given special consideration.

(b) Sizes. Ring life buoys shall be of the sizes set forth in Table 160.050-2(b). A tolerance of a plus or minus 5 percent will be allowable on the dimensions indicated in Table 160.050-2(b).

Table 160.050-2(b)—Sizes and Dimensions of Ring Life Buoys Size Dimensions (inches) Finished ring 30-inch 30 24-inch 24 20-inch 20

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.