46 CFR 160.255-1: Scope of Level 100 lifejacket standards
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section describes what the subpart covers for Level 100 lifejackets. It covers approval standards, production follow-up inspections, markings, information placards, and manuals. Approved lifejackets must get their minimum buoyancy from inherently buoyant material, inflation, or a combination.
Applies toLevel 100 lifejackets approved under this subpart, which are intended for uninspected passenger vessels, uninspected commercial vessels over 40 ft (12m), and inspected vessels.
What it says
This subpart contains structural and performance standards for approval of Level 100 lifejackets.
46 CFR 160.255-1(a)“This subpart contains structural and performance standards for approval of Level 100 lifejackets”
This subpart also contains requirements for production follow-up inspections, markings, information placards, and associated manuals.
46 CFR 160.255-1(a)“as well as requirements for production follow-up inspections, markings, information placards, and associated manuals.”
Lifejackets approved under this subpart must rely upon inherently buoyant material, inflation, or a combination to achieve the minimum buoyancy.
46 CFR 160.255-1(b)“Lifejackets approved under this subpart must rely upon inherently buoyant material, inflation, or a combination to achieve the minimum buoyancy.”
Lifejackets approved under this subpart are intended to meet the carriage requirements for wearable PFDs for uninspected passenger vessels, uninspected commercial vessels over 40 ft (12m), and inspected vessels.
46 CFR 160.255-1(c)“are intended to meet the carriage requirements for wearable PFDs for uninspected passenger vessels, uninspected commercial vessels over 40 ft (12m) and for inspected vessels.”
Common questions
What does the Level 100 lifejacket subpart cover?
It covers structural and performance standards for approval of Level 100 lifejackets. It also covers production follow-up inspections, markings, information placards, and associated manuals.
“This subpart contains structural and performance standards for approval of Level 100 lifejackets, as well as requirements for production follow-up inspections, markings, information placards, and associated manuals.”
How can a Level 100 lifejacket provide buoyancy?
It must rely upon inherently buoyant material, inflation, or a combination to achieve the minimum buoyancy.
“must rely upon inherently buoyant material, inflation, or a combination to achieve the minimum buoyancy.”
Which vessels can use Level 100 lifejackets to meet wearable PFD carriage requirements?
They are intended to meet the wearable PFD carriage requirements for uninspected passenger vessels, uninspected commercial vessels over 40 ft (12m), and inspected vessels.
“are intended to meet the carriage requirements for wearable PFDs for uninspected passenger vessels, uninspected commercial vessels over 40 ft (12m) and for inspected vessels.”
The text of 46 CFR 160.255-1
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Scope
(a) This subpart contains structural and performance standards for approval of Level 100 lifejackets, as well as requirements for production follow-up inspections, markings, information placards, and associated manuals.
(b) Lifejackets approved under this subpart must rely upon inherently buoyant material, inflation, or a combination to achieve the minimum buoyancy.
(c) Lifejackets approved under this subpart are intended to meet the carriage requirements for wearable PFDs for uninspected passenger vessels, uninspected commercial vessels over 40 ft (12m) and for inspected vessels.
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.