46 CFR 199.60: Communications and distress signals on vessels

Last reviewed: November 9, 2026

This section sets communications rules for lifesaving. Radio lifesaving appliances must meet 47 CFR part 80, and each vessel must carry rocket parachute flares and meet onboard communication and alarm requirements.

What it says

  1. Radio lifesaving appliance installations and arrangements must meet the requirements of 47 CFR part 80.

    46 CFR 199.60(a)“Radio lifesaving appliance installations and arrangements must meet the requirements of 47 CFR part 80.”

  2. Each EPIRB and SART should have the vessel's name plainly marked or painted on its label, except for those in an inflatable liferaft or permanently installed in a survival craft.

    46 CFR 199.60(b)“Each EPIRB and SART should have the name of the vessel plainly marked or painted on its label, except for EPIRBs or SARTs in an inflatable liferaft or permanently installed in a survival craft.”

  3. Each vessel must carry not less than 12 rocket parachute flares approved under approval series 160.136.

    46 CFR 199.60(c)(1)“Carry not less than 12 rocket parachute flares approved under approval series 160.136; and”

  4. Each vessel must stow the flares on or near the vessel's navigating bridge.

    46 CFR 199.60(c)(2)“Stow the flares on or near the vessel's navigating bridge.”

  5. Each vessel must meet the requirements for onboard communications between emergency control stations, muster and embarkation stations, and strategic positions on board.

    46 CFR 199.60(d)“Each vessel must meet the requirements for onboard communications between emergency control stations, muster and embarkation stations, and strategic positions on board.”

  6. Each vessel must also meet the emergency alarm system requirements in subchapter J of this chapter, and the alarm system must be supplemented by either a public address system or other suitable means of communication.

    46 CFR 199.60(d)“Each vessel must also meet the emergency alarm system requirements in subchapter J of this chapter, which must be supplemented by either a public address system or other suitable means of communication.”

Common questions

How many rocket parachute flares must a vessel carry?

Each vessel must carry not less than 12 rocket parachute flares approved under approval series 160.136. It must stow them on or near the navigating bridge.

“Carry not less than 12 rocket parachute flares approved under approval series 160.136; and”

Does the vessel's name have to be marked on an EPIRB or SART?

Each EPIRB and SART should have the vessel's name plainly marked or painted on its label. This does not apply to those in an inflatable liferaft or permanently installed in a survival craft.

“Each EPIRB and SART should have the name of the vessel plainly marked or painted on its label, except for EPIRBs or SARTs in an inflatable liferaft or permanently installed in a survival craft.”

What must supplement the emergency alarm system on a vessel?

The emergency alarm system must be supplemented by either a public address system or other suitable means of communication.

“which must be supplemented by either a public address system or other suitable means of communication.”

The text of 46 CFR 199.60

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

Communications

(a) Radio lifesaving appliances. Radio lifesaving appliance installations and arrangements must meet the requirements of 47 CFR part 80.

(b) Emergency position indicating radiobeacons (EPIRB) and search and rescue transponders (SART). Each EPIRB and SART should have the name of the vessel plainly marked or painted on its label, except for EPIRBs or SARTs in an inflatable liferaft or permanently installed in a survival craft.

(c) Distress signals. Each vessel must—

(1) Carry not less than 12 rocket parachute flares approved under approval series 160.136; and

(2) Stow the flares on or near the vessel's navigating bridge.

(d) Onboard communications and alarm systems. Each vessel must meet the requirements for onboard communications between emergency control stations, muster and embarkation stations, and strategic positions on board. Each vessel must also meet the emergency alarm system requirements in subchapter J of this chapter, which must be supplemented by either a public address system or other suitable means of communication.

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.