46 CFR 169.245: Lifesaving equipment tests at inspections
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section lists the tests and inspections of lifesaving equipment conducted at each inspection for certification and periodic inspection. They cover air tanks, lifeboats, personal flotation devices, winches, davits and liferafts. All other lifesaving items are examined for suitable condition.
Applies toLifesaving equipment at each inspection for certification and periodic inspection.
What it says
All air tank buoyant units of all lifesaving appliances are tested for airtightness.
46 CFR 169.245(a)“All air tank buoyant units of all lifesaving appliances are tested for airtightness.”
Each lifeboat is lowered to near the water and loaded with its allowed capacity, evenly distributed throughout the length.
46 CFR 169.245(b)“Each lifeboat is lowered to near the water and loaded with its allowed capacity, evenly distributed throughout the length.”
The test weight must be at least equal to the lifeboat's allowed capacity, counting each person as 75 kg (165 pounds).
46 CFR 169.245(b)“The total weight used is at least equal to the allowed capacity of the lifeboat considering persons to weigh 75 kg (165 pounds) each.”
A personal flotation device found unsatisfactory must be removed from the vessel's equipment and repaired.
46 CFR 169.245(c)“If found to be unsatisfactory, the personal flotation device must be removed from the vessel's equipment and repaired.”
A personal flotation device that is beyond repair must be destroyed in the presence of the Coast Guard inspector.
46 CFR 169.245(c)“If it is beyond repair it must be destroyed in the presence of the Coast Guard inspector.”
Each lifeboat winch electrical control apparatus is opened and inspected.
46 CFR 169.245(d)“Each lifeboat winch electrical control apparatus is opened and inspected.”
Where gravity davits are installed, it must be demonstrated that the lifeboat can be swung out and lowered from any stopped position by merely releasing the winch brake. Force may not be used to start the davits or winch.
46 CFR 169.245(e)“The use of force to start the davits or the lifeboat winch is not permitted.”
The inspector verifies that inflatable liferafts and hydraulic releases, if installed, have been serviced at an approved facility in accordance with subparts 160.051 and 160.062 of this chapter, respectively.
46 CFR 169.245(f)“the inspector verifies that the inflatable liferafts and hydraulic releases, if installed, have been serviced at an approved facility”
Common questions
What happens to a personal flotation device that fails inspection?
It must be removed from the vessel's equipment and repaired. If it is beyond repair, it must be destroyed in the presence of the Coast Guard inspector.
“If it is beyond repair it must be destroyed in the presence of the Coast Guard inspector.”
How is a lifeboat load tested at inspection?
The lifeboat is lowered to near the water and loaded with its allowed capacity, evenly distributed. It is then lowered into the water until afloat and released from the falls.
“The lifeboat is then lowered into the water until it is afloat and released from the falls.”
How are PFDs marked when they pass inspection?
A personal flotation device found satisfactory is stamped "Passed," together with the date and the port.
“it is stamped “Passed,” together with the date and the port.”
Can force be used to start gravity davits during the test?
No. The text says the use of force to start the davits or the lifeboat winch is not permitted.
“The use of force to start the davits or the lifeboat winch is not permitted.”
The text of 46 CFR 169.245
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Lifesaving equipment
At each inspection for certification and periodic inspection the following tests and inspections of lifesaving equipment will be conducted:
(a) All air tank buoyant units of all lifesaving appliances are tested for airtightness.
(b) Each lifeboat is lowered to near the water and loaded with its allowed capacity, evenly distributed throughout the length. The total weight used is at least equal to the allowed capacity of the lifeboat considering persons to weigh 75 kg (165 pounds) each. The lifeboat is then lowered into the water until it is afloat and released from the falls.
(c) Each personal flotation device is examined to determine its serviceability. If found to be satisfactory, it is stamped “Passed,” together with the date and the port. If found to be unsatisfactory, the personal flotation device must be removed from the vessel's equipment and repaired. If it is beyond repair it must be destroyed in the presence of the Coast Guard inspector.
(d) Each lifeboat winch electrical control apparatus is opened and inspected.
(e) Where gravity davits are installed, it must be demonstrated that the lifeboat can be swung out and lowered from any stopped position by merely releasing the brake on the lifeboat winch. The use of force to start the davits or the lifeboat winch is not permitted.
(f) Inflatable liferaft containers are examined for defects and the inspector verifies that the inflatable liferafts and hydraulic releases, if installed, have been serviced at an approved facility in accordance with the provisions of subparts 160.051 and 160.062, respectively, of this chapter.
(g) All other items of lifesaving equipment are examined to determine that they are in suitable condition.
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.