46 CFR 25.26-50: Testing and servicing of EPIRBs

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets testing and battery replacement rules for EPIRBs on vessels required to carry them under this subpart. The master must ensure each EPIRB is tested and serviced as the section requires. An EPIRB must be tested after installation and at least monthly, and its battery must be replaced after use and before expiration.

Applies toThe master of each vessel required to have an EPIRB under this subpart.

What it says

  1. The master of each vessel required to have an EPIRB under this subpart must ensure that each EPIRB on board is tested and serviced as this section requires.

    46 CFR 25.26-50(a)“The master of each vessel required to have an EPIRB under this subpart shall ensure that each EPIRB on board is tested and serviced as required by this section.”

  2. An EPIRB must be tested immediately after installation and at least once each month after that. The exception is an EPIRB installed in a Coast Guard approved inflatable liferaft that is tested annually during servicing of the liferaft by an approved servicing facility.

    46 CFR 25.26-50(b)“The EPIRB must be tested immediately after installation and at least once each month thereafter, unless it is an EPIRB installed in a Coast Guard approved inflatable liferaft that is tested annually during the servicing of the liferaft by an approved servicing facility.”

  3. The test must follow the manufacturer's instructions and use the visual or audio indicator on the EPIRB.

    46 CFR 25.26-50(b)“The test shall be conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, using the visual or audio indicator on the EPIRB.”

  4. If the EPIRB is not operating, it must be repaired or replaced with an operating EPIRB.

    46 CFR 25.26-50(b)“If the EPIRB is not operating, it must be repaired or replaced with an operating EPIRB.”

  5. The EPIRB battery must be replaced immediately after the EPIRB is used for any purpose other than being tested.

    46 CFR 25.26-50(c)(1)“Immediately after the EPIRB is used for any purpose other than being tested; and”

  6. The EPIRB battery must also be replaced before the expiration date marked on the battery.

    46 CFR 25.26-50(c)(2)“Before the expiration date that is marked on the battery.”

Common questions

How often must an EPIRB be tested?

An EPIRB must be tested immediately after installation and at least once each month after that. An EPIRB in a Coast Guard approved inflatable liferaft that is tested annually during servicing by an approved servicing facility is excepted.

“The EPIRB must be tested immediately after installation and at least once each month thereafter, unless it is an EPIRB installed in a Coast Guard approved inflatable liferaft that is tested annually during the servicing of the liferaft by an approved servicing facility.”

How must an EPIRB test be done?

The test must follow the manufacturer's instructions and use the visual or audio indicator on the EPIRB.

“The test shall be conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, using the visual or audio indicator on the EPIRB.”

What if my EPIRB is not operating?

It must be repaired or replaced with an operating EPIRB.

“If the EPIRB is not operating, it must be repaired or replaced with an operating EPIRB.”

When must an EPIRB battery be replaced?

The battery must be replaced immediately after the EPIRB is used for any purpose other than being tested. It must also be replaced before the expiration date marked on the battery.

“Before the expiration date that is marked on the battery.”

The text of 46 CFR 25.26-50

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

Servicing of EPIRBs

(a) The master of each vessel required to have an EPIRB under this subpart shall ensure that each EPIRB on board is tested and serviced as required by this section.

(b) The EPIRB must be tested immediately after installation and at least once each month thereafter, unless it is an EPIRB installed in a Coast Guard approved inflatable liferaft that is tested annually during the servicing of the liferaft by an approved servicing facility. The test shall be conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, using the visual or audio indicator on the EPIRB. If the EPIRB is not operating, it must be repaired or replaced with an operating EPIRB.

(c) The battery of the EPIRB must be replaced—

(1) Immediately after the EPIRB is used for any purpose other than being tested; and

(2) Before the expiration date that is marked on the battery.

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.