46 CFR 185.728: Testing and servicing of EPIRBs

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets duties for the master of the vessel on testing and servicing Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRBs). Each EPIRB, other than one in an inflatable liferaft, must be tested monthly. The battery must be replaced when the text requires, and the monthly test must be logged or otherwise documented.

Applies toThe master of the vessel, who must ensure the EPIRB testing and servicing requirements are met.

What it says

  1. The master of the vessel must ensure that each EPIRB, other than an EPIRB in an inflatable liferaft, is tested monthly using the integrated test circuit and output indicator to determine that it is operative.

    46 CFR 185.728(a)“Each EPIRB, other than an EPIRB in an inflatable liferaft, must be tested monthly, using the integrated test circuit and output indicator, to determine that it is operative”

  2. The master of the vessel must ensure that the EPIRB's battery is replaced after it is used, or before the date required by FCC regulations in 47 CFR part 80, whichever comes sooner.

    46 CFR 185.728(b)“The EPIRB's battery is replaced after it is used, or before the date required by FCC regulations in 47 CFR part 80, whichever comes sooner”

  3. The master of the vessel must ensure that the EPIRB test required by paragraph (a) is logged or otherwise documented, as applicable.

    46 CFR 185.728(c)“The EPIRB test required by paragraph (a) shall be logged or otherwise documented, as applicable.”

Common questions

How often must an EPIRB be tested?

Each EPIRB must be tested monthly, using the integrated test circuit and output indicator. This does not apply to an EPIRB in an inflatable liferaft.

“Each EPIRB, other than an EPIRB in an inflatable liferaft, must be tested monthly, using the integrated test circuit and output indicator, to determine that it is operative”

When must an EPIRB battery be replaced?

The battery must be replaced after it is used, or before the date required by FCC regulations in 47 CFR part 80, whichever comes sooner.

“The EPIRB's battery is replaced after it is used, or before the date required by FCC regulations in 47 CFR part 80, whichever comes sooner”

Does the EPIRB test have to be logged?

Yes. The EPIRB test required by paragraph (a) shall be logged or otherwise documented, as applicable.

“The EPIRB test required by paragraph (a) shall be logged or otherwise documented, as applicable.”

The text of 46 CFR 185.728

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

Testing and servicing of Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRB)

The master of the vessel shall ensure that:

(a) Each EPIRB, other than an EPIRB in an inflatable liferaft, must be tested monthly, using the integrated test circuit and output indicator, to determine that it is operative;

(b) The EPIRB's battery is replaced after it is used, or before the date required by FCC regulations in 47 CFR part 80, whichever comes sooner; and

(c) The EPIRB test required by paragraph (a) shall be logged or otherwise documented, as applicable.

Sections it refers to

  • 47 CFR part 80

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.