46 CFR 26.03-1: Passenger safety orientation on uninspected passenger vessels
Last reviewed: November 9, 2026
This section requires the operator or master of an uninspected passenger vessel to give passengers safety information before getting underway. The information covers life preservers, lifesaving devices and the Emergency Checkoff List. Tender service at yacht clubs and marinas, and broker demonstrations, are excluded.
Applies toUninspected passenger vessels, with exclusions for vessels subject to this subpart that are in tender service at yacht clubs and marinas or being demonstrated by a yacht broker to a potential purchaser.
What it says
Before getting underway, the operator or master of an uninspected passenger vessel must ensure that public announcements, instructive placards, or both are provided so all passengers can become acquainted with the listed safety items.
46 CFR 26.03-1(a)“the operator or master must ensure that suitable public announcements, instructive placards, or both, are provided in a manner that affords all passengers the opportunity to become acquainted with:”
Passengers must have the opportunity to learn where the life preservers are stowed.
46 CFR 26.03-1(a)(1)“Stowage locations of life preservers;”
Passengers must have the opportunity to learn the proper method of donning and adjusting the type or types of life preservers carried on the vessel.
46 CFR 26.03-1(a)(2)“Proper method of donning and adjusting life preservers of the type(s) carried on the vessel;”
Passengers must have the opportunity to learn the type and location of all lifesaving devices carried on the vessel.
46 CFR 26.03-1(a)(3)“The type and location of all lifesaving devices carried on the vessel; and”
Passengers must have the opportunity to learn the location and contents of the Emergency Checkoff List required by § 26.03-2.
46 CFR 26.03-1(a)(4)“The location and contents of the Emergency Checkoff List required by § 26.03-2.”
Vessels subject to this subpart that are in tender service at yacht clubs and marinas, or are being demonstrated to a potential purchaser by a yacht broker, are excluded from the requirements of § 26.03-1 and § 26.03-2.
46 CFR 26.03-1(b)“Vessels subject to this subpart engaged in tender service at yacht clubs and marinas, and vessels being demonstrated for a potential purchaser by a yacht broker, are excluded”
Common questions
When must the safety orientation be given on an uninspected passenger vessel?
The operator or master must ensure it is provided before getting underway. It can be public announcements, instructive placards, or both.
“Before getting underway on any uninspected passenger vessel, the operator or master must ensure that suitable public announcements, instructive placards, or both, are provided”
What must passengers be told about life preservers?
Passengers must have the opportunity to learn where life preservers are stowed and how to don and adjust the types carried on the vessel.
“Proper method of donning and adjusting life preservers of the type(s) carried on the vessel;”
Are yacht club tenders exempt from the safety orientation?
Yes. Vessels subject to this subpart that are in tender service at yacht clubs and marinas are excluded from the requirements of § 26.03-1 and § 26.03-2.
“Vessels subject to this subpart engaged in tender service at yacht clubs and marinas, and vessels being demonstrated for a potential purchaser by a yacht broker, are excluded”
The text of 46 CFR 26.03-1
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Safety orientation
(a) Before getting underway on any uninspected passenger vessel, the operator or master must ensure that suitable public announcements, instructive placards, or both, are provided in a manner that affords all passengers the opportunity to become acquainted with:
(1) Stowage locations of life preservers;
(2) Proper method of donning and adjusting life preservers of the type(s) carried on the vessel;
(3) The type and location of all lifesaving devices carried on the vessel; and
(4) The location and contents of the Emergency Checkoff List required by § 26.03-2.
(b) Vessels subject to this subpart engaged in tender service at yacht clubs and marinas, and vessels being demonstrated for a potential purchaser by a yacht broker, are excluded from the requirements of § 26.03-1 and § 26.03-2.
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.