46 CFR 199.140: Stowage of rescue boats
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets stowage rules for rescue boats. A rescue boat must be ready for launching in not more than 5 minutes and stowed where it can be launched and recovered. It also covers battery recharging and keeping inflated rescue boats fully inflated.
What it says
Rescue boats must be stowed so they are ready for launching in not more than 5 minutes.
46 CFR 199.140(a)(1)“To be ready for launching in not more than 5 minutes.”
Rescue boats must be stowed in a position suitable for launching and recovery.
46 CFR 199.140(a)(2)“In a position suitable for launching and recovery;”
Rescue boats must be stowed so that neither the boat nor its stowage arrangements interfere with the operation of any survival craft at any other launching station.
46 CFR 199.140(a)(3)“In a way that neither the rescue boat nor its stowage arrangements will interfere with the operation of any survival craft at any other launching station; and”
A rescue boat that is also a lifeboat must be stowed in compliance with the requirements of § 199.130.
46 CFR 199.140(a)(4)“If it is also a lifeboat, in compliance with the requirements of § 199.130.”
Each rescue boat must have a means for recharging its batteries from the vessel's power supply at a supply voltage not exceeding 50 volts.
46 CFR 199.140(b)“Each rescue boat must have a means provided for recharging the rescue boat batteries from the vessel's power supply at a supply voltage not exceeding 50 volts.”
Each inflated rescue boat must be kept fully inflated at all times.
46 CFR 199.140(c)“Each inflated rescue boat must be kept fully inflated at all times.”
Common questions
How quickly must a rescue boat be ready to launch?
A rescue boat must be stowed to be ready for launching in not more than 5 minutes.
“To be ready for launching in not more than 5 minutes.”
Do rescue boats need battery charging?
Yes. Each rescue boat must have a means for recharging its batteries from the vessel's power supply at a supply voltage not exceeding 50 volts.
“Each rescue boat must have a means provided for recharging the rescue boat batteries from the vessel's power supply at a supply voltage not exceeding 50 volts.”
Can an inflated rescue boat be stored deflated?
No. Each inflated rescue boat must be kept fully inflated at all times.
“Each inflated rescue boat must be kept fully inflated at all times.”
The text of 46 CFR 199.140
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Stowage of rescue boats
(a) General. Rescue boats must be stowed—
(1) To be ready for launching in not more than 5 minutes.
(2) In a position suitable for launching and recovery;
(3) In a way that neither the rescue boat nor its stowage arrangements will interfere with the operation of any survival craft at any other launching station; and
(4) If it is also a lifeboat, in compliance with the requirements of § 199.130.
(b) Each rescue boat must have a means provided for recharging the rescue boat batteries from the vessel's power supply at a supply voltage not exceeding 50 volts.
(c) Each inflated rescue boat must be kept fully inflated at all times.
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.