46 CFR 167.43-10: Use of buoyant work vests aboard vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers approved buoyant work vests. They are items of safety apparel that may be carried for crew members to wear when working near or over the water under favorable working conditions. When carried, they are not accepted in lieu of any portion of the required approved life preservers and are not substituted for those worn during drills and emergencies.
Applies toApproved buoyant work vests carried aboard vessels and the crew members who wear them.
What it says
Approved buoyant work vests are considered items of safety apparel. Vessels may carry them for crew members to wear when working near or over the water under favorable working conditions.
46 CFR 167.43-10(a)“Approved buoyant work vests are considered to be items of safety apparel and may be carried aboard vessels to be worn by crew members when working near or over the water under favorable working conditions.”
Designated ship's officers must supervise and control the use of buoyant work vests.
46 CFR 167.43-10(a)“They shall be used under the supervision and control of designated ship's officers.”
When buoyant work vests are carried, they must not be accepted in lieu of any portion of the required number of approved life preservers.
46 CFR 167.43-10(a)“When carried, such vests shall not be accepted in lieu of any portion of the required number of approved life preservers”
When buoyant work vests are carried, they must not be substituted for the approved life preservers required to be worn during drills and emergencies.
46 CFR 167.43-10(a)“shall not be substituted for the approved life preservers required to be worn during drills and emergencies.”
Common questions
Can a buoyant work vest count as a required life preserver?
No. When carried, buoyant work vests must not be accepted in lieu of any portion of the required number of approved life preservers.
“such vests shall not be accepted in lieu of any portion of the required number of approved life preservers”
Who controls the use of buoyant work vests on a vessel?
Designated ship's officers supervise and control their use.
“They shall be used under the supervision and control of designated ship's officers.”
Can crew wear buoyant work vests instead of life preservers during drills?
No. Buoyant work vests must not be substituted for the approved life preservers required to be worn during drills and emergencies.
“shall not be substituted for the approved life preservers required to be worn during drills and emergencies.”
The text of 46 CFR 167.43-10
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Use
(a) Approved buoyant work vests are considered to be items of safety apparel and may be carried aboard vessels to be worn by crew members when working near or over the water under favorable working conditions. They shall be used under the supervision and control of designated ship's officers. When carried, such vests shall not be accepted in lieu of any portion of the required number of approved life preservers and shall not be substituted for the approved life preservers required to be worn during drills and emergencies.
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.