46 CFR 199.01: Purpose of lifesaving appliance requirements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section states the purpose of the part: it sets requirements for lifesaving appliances and arrangements on inspected U.S. vessels. Five vessel types are excluded because other subchapters or parts cover them. The section also says which subparts apply to SOLAS vessels and which to vessels not subject to SOLAS.

Applies toAll inspected U.S. vessels, except offshore supply vessels, Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU), towing vessels, small passenger vessels, and sailing school vessels.

What it says

  1. This part sets out the requirements for lifesaving appliances and arrangements for all inspected U.S. vessels, except for the vessel types listed in the paragraph.

    46 CFR 199.01(a)“This part sets out the requirements for lifesaving appliances and arrangements for all inspected U.S. vessels except for—”

  2. Offshore supply vessels are not covered by this part, because subchapter L of this chapter covers them.

    46 CFR 199.01(a)(1)“Offshore supply vessels, which are covered by subchapter L of this chapter;”

  3. Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU) are not covered by this part, because subchapter I-A of this chapter covers them.

    46 CFR 199.01(a)(2)“Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU), which are covered by subchapter I-A of this chapter;”

  4. Towing vessels are not covered by this part, because subchapter M of this chapter covers them.

    46 CFR 199.01(a)(3)“Towing vessels, which are covered by subchapter M of this chapter;”

  5. Small passenger vessels are not covered by this part, because subchapters K and T of this chapter cover them.

    46 CFR 199.01(a)(4)“Small passenger vessels, which are covered by subchapters K and T of this chapter; and”

  6. Sailing school vessels are not covered by this part, because part 169 of this chapter covers them.

    46 CFR 199.01(a)(5)“Sailing school vessels, which are covered by part 169 of this chapter.”

  7. This subpart and subparts B, C, and D of this part set out the requirements for vessels on international voyages that are subject to SOLAS.

    46 CFR 199.01(b)“This subpart and subparts B, C, and D of this part set out the requirements for vessels on international voyages”

  8. Subparts E and F of this part set out additional requirements, alternatives, and exemptions for vessels that are not subject to SOLAS.

    46 CFR 199.01(c)“Subparts E and F of this part set out additional requirements, alternatives, and exemptions for vessels that are not subject to SOLAS.”

Common questions

Does 46 CFR part 199 apply to towing vessels?

No. Towing vessels are excepted from this part, and subchapter M of this chapter covers them.

“Towing vessels, which are covered by subchapter M of this chapter;”

Which subparts of part 199 apply to vessels not subject to SOLAS?

Subparts E and F set out additional requirements, alternatives, and exemptions for vessels that are not subject to SOLAS.

“Subparts E and F of this part set out additional requirements, alternatives, and exemptions for vessels that are not subject to SOLAS.”

What rules cover sailing school vessels instead of part 199?

Part 169 of this chapter covers sailing school vessels, so this part does not.

“Sailing school vessels, which are covered by part 169 of this chapter.”

Which subparts of part 199 apply to SOLAS vessels?

This subpart and subparts B, C, and D set out the requirements for vessels on international voyages that are subject to SOLAS.

“This subpart and subparts B, C, and D of this part set out the requirements for vessels on international voyages”

The text of 46 CFR 199.01

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

Purpose

(a) This part sets out the requirements for lifesaving appliances and arrangements for all inspected U.S. vessels except for—

(1) Offshore supply vessels, which are covered by subchapter L of this chapter;

(2) Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU), which are covered by subchapter I-A of this chapter;

(3) Towing vessels, which are covered by subchapter M of this chapter;

(4) Small passenger vessels, which are covered by subchapters K and T of this chapter; and

(5) Sailing school vessels, which are covered by part 169 of this chapter.

(b) This subpart and subparts B, C, and D of this part set out the requirements for vessels on international voyages that are subject to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, and its Protocol of 1978, as amended (SOLAS).

(c) Subparts E and F of this part set out additional requirements, alternatives, and exemptions for vessels that are not subject to SOLAS.

Sections it refers to

  • 46 CFR part 169

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.