46 CFR 78.36-10: Use of buoyant work vests aboard vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers how approved buoyant work vests may be used aboard vessels. They are safety apparel for crew working near or over the water. They never replace required approved life preservers.
Applies toApproved buoyant work vests carried aboard vessels to be worn by crew members working near or over the water.
What it says
Approved buoyant work vests are considered items of safety apparel.
46 CFR 78.36-10(a)“Approved buoyant work vests are considered to be items of safety apparel”
Vessels may carry approved buoyant work vests for crew members to wear when working near or over the water under favorable working conditions.
46 CFR 78.36-10(a)“may be carried aboard vessels to be worn by crew members when working near or over the water under favorable working conditions”
Crew must use the vests under the supervision and control of designated ship's officers.
46 CFR 78.36-10(a)“They shall be used under the supervision and control of designated ship's officers.”
When carried, the vests must not be accepted in place of any part of the required number of approved life preservers.
46 CFR 78.36-10(a)“such vests shall not be accepted in lieu of any portion of the required number of approved life preservers”
The vests must not be substituted for the approved life preservers required to be worn during drills and emergencies.
46 CFR 78.36-10(a)“shall not be substituted for the approved life preservers required to be worn during drills and emergencies”
Common questions
Can a buoyant work vest replace a required life preserver?
No. Buoyant work vests must not be accepted in place of any part of the required number of approved life preservers.
“such vests shall not be accepted in lieu of any portion of the required number of approved life preservers”
Who controls the use of buoyant work vests on a vessel?
Designated ship's officers must supervise and control their use.
“They shall be used under the supervision and control of designated ship's officers.”
Can crew wear work vests instead of life preservers during drills?
No. Work vests must not be substituted for the approved life preservers required to be worn during drills and emergencies.
“shall not be substituted for the approved life preservers required to be worn during drills and emergencies”
The text of 46 CFR 78.36-10
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Use
(a) Approved buoyant work vests are considered to be items of safety apparel and may be carried aboard vessels to be worn by crew members when working near or over the water under favorable working conditions. They shall be used under the supervision and control of designated ship's officers. When carried, such vests shall not be accepted in lieu of any portion of the required number of approved life preservers and shall not be substituted for the approved life preservers required to be worn during drills and emergencies.
(b) [Reserved]
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.