46 CFR 28.150: EPIRB equipment requirement for vessels

Last reviewed: November 2, 2026

This section requires each vessel to carry an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB). The details of the requirement are in 46 CFR part 25, subpart 25.26. A note says vessels that use radio communication equipment must have a Ship Radio Station License from the Federal Communications Commission.

Applies toThis section applies to each vessel.

What it says

  1. Each vessel must be equipped with an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), as required by 46 CFR part 25, subpart 25.26.

    “Each vessel must be equipped with an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) as required by 46 CFR part 25, subpart 25.26.”

  2. The note says each vessel that uses radio communication equipment must have a Ship Radio Station License issued by the Federal Communications Commission, as set forth in 47 CFR part 80.

    “Each vessel which uses radio communication equipment must have a Ship Radio Station License issued by the Federal Communications Commission, as set forth in 47 CFR part 80.”

Common questions

Does my vessel need an EPIRB?

Each vessel must be equipped with an EPIRB as required by 46 CFR part 25, subpart 25.26. That subpart holds the details.

“Each vessel must be equipped with an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) as required by 46 CFR part 25, subpart 25.26.”

Do I need an FCC license for my vessel's radio?

The note says each vessel that uses radio communication equipment must have a Ship Radio Station License issued by the Federal Communications Commission. It cites 47 CFR part 80.

“Each vessel which uses radio communication equipment must have a Ship Radio Station License issued by the Federal Communications Commission, as set forth in 47 CFR part 80.”

The text of 46 CFR 28.150

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

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs)

Each vessel must be equipped with an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) as required by 46 CFR part 25, subpart 25.26.

Note: Each vessel which uses radio communication equipment must have a Ship Radio Station License issued by the Federal Communications Commission, as set forth in 47 CFR part 80.

Sections it refers to

  • 46 CFR part 25, subpart 25.26
  • 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.