NVIC 01-94: Marking of older life preservers and PFDs

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This Coast Guard circular is guidance that clarifies marking changes for life preservers and personal flotation devices (PFDs). It explains that the first part of the approval number on older devices shows the performance type. It tells vessel operators and marine inspectors to pay particular attention to devices made before October 1973.

Applies toThe circular is to be used by vessel operators and Coast Guard marine inspectors.

What it says

  1. The circular is guidance for vessel operators and Coast Guard marine inspectors to clarify marking requirement changes for life preservers and PFDs.

    “This circular is to be used by vessel operators and Coast Guard marine inspectors to”

  2. Present regulations require all life preservers with approval numbers beginning with 160.002 or 160.055 to be marked Type I personal flotation device (PFD).

    NVIC 01-94 a“Present regulations require all life preservers beginning with approval numbers 160.002 or 160.055 to be marked Type I personal flotation device (PFD).”

  3. In October 1973, the current five performance type categories and the term Personal Flotation Device (PFD) were adopted. Only the type designation changed, and the approval numbers stayed the same.

    NVIC 01-94 b“Only the type designation changed, the approval numbers remained the same.”

  4. Devices with approval numbers beginning with 160.003, 160.004, and 160.005 meet the same carriage requirements as Performance Type I life preservers on non-SOLAS inspected vessels. They were never given a type designation and are no longer manufactured.

    NVIC 01-94 b“Devices with approval numbers beginning with 160.003, 160.004, and 160.005 meet these same carriage requirements,”

  5. For devices made before October 1973, the first part of the approval number is the key to the device's performance type, which is documented in enclosure (1).

    “the first part of the approval number is the key to determining their "performance type" documented in enclosure (1).”

  6. A device with Approval Number 160.047/324/0, marked Type I, is a standard construction, performance Type II PFD. It is not approved for use on inspected commercial vessels.

    NVIC 01-94 a“This device is a standard construction, performance Type II PFD which is not approved for use on inspected commercial vessels.”

  7. A device with Approval Number 160.055/79/0, marked Type II, is a nonstandard construction, performance Type I PFD. It is approved for use on all non-SOLAS commercial vessels.

    NVIC 01-94 b“This life saving device is a nonstandard construction, performance Type I PFD, which is approved for use on all non-SOLAS commercial vessels.”

  8. Vessel operators and Coast Guard marine inspectors are to pay particular attention to life preservers and PFDs made before October 1973 to ensure carriage requirements are met.

    “Vessel operators and Coast Guard marine inspectors are to pay particular”

Common questions

How can an inspector tell if a pre-1973 life preserver is acceptable on an inspected vessel?

The first part of the approval number is the key to the device's performance type. The performance type is documented in enclosure (1).

“the first part of the approval number is the key to determining their "performance type" documented in enclosure (1).”

Is the table of PFD equivalents still valid?

Yes. The table was in the Code of Federal Regulations until August 6, 1990, and it is still valid.

“This table is still valid.”

What changed in October 1973 for life preserver markings?

The current five performance type categories and the term Personal Flotation Device (PFD) were adopted. Only the type designation changed, and the approval numbers remained the same.

“Only the type designation changed, the approval numbers remained the same.”

The text of NVIC 01-94

U.S. Coast Guard, NVIC 01-94 (main body; enclosures not shown)

Marking of Life Preservers and PFDs

United States Coast Guard COMDTPUB P16700.4 NVIC 1-94 JANUARY 21, 1994 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 1-94 Electronic Version for Distribution on the World Wide Web Subj: MARKING OF LIFE PRESERVERS AND PFDs

Marking of Life Preservers and PFDs — PURPOSE. This circular is to be used by vessel operators and Coast Guard marine inspectors to

clarify marking requirement changes for life preservers and personal flotation devices (PFDs).

Marking of Life Preservers and PFDs — BACKGROUND.

a. Present regulations require all life preservers beginning with approval numbers 160.002 or 160.055 to be marked Type I personal flotation device (PFD). Prior to October 1973, most life saving devices were marked either Type I or Type II in addition to an appropriate approval number. Type I meant standard and Type II meant nonstandard construction. Both standard and nonstandard life saving devices approved under 46 CFR 160.002 or 160.055 were for use on inspected vessels. b. In October 1973 the current five "performance type" categories listed in enclosure (1) and the term Personal Flotation Device (PFD) were adopted. Only the type designation changed, the approval numbers remained the same. Performance Type I life preservers currently made to meet carriage requirements on non-SOLAS inspected vessels have approval numbers beginning with 160.002 or 160.055. Devices with approval numbers beginning with 160.003, 160.004, and 160.005 meet these same carriage requirements, but were never given a type designation and are no longer manufactured. Type designation is documented in enclosure (1), which is a table of equivalents that was in the Code of Federal Regulations until August 6, 1990. This table is still valid. It was deleted only because it was believed to be no longer needed.

Marking of Life Preservers and PFDs — DISCUSSION. Recent questions from Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMIs) indicate

some confusion remains concerning the marking of life preservers, life saving devices and PFDs. Specifically, how can an inspector tell if a device manufactured prior to October 1973 is acceptable for use on an inspected vessel? On these older devices, the first part of the approval number is the key to determining their "performance type" documented in enclosure (1). Most flotation devices approved under the old standard / nonstandard "Type" classification have been removed from service due to their deterioration with age and use. However, as the following cases show, some remain in serviceable condition and require particular attention as to their intended use. a. The first case involved a model AK-l, adult life saving device, Approval Number 160.047/324/0. This device is approved as a buoyant vest and marked as Type I. This device is a standard construction, performance Type II PFD which is not approved for use on inspected commercial vessels. NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 1-94 b. The second case involved an adult life preserver, Approval Number 160.055/79/0. This device was approved as a life preserver and marked as Type II. This life saving device is a nonstandard construction, performance Type I PFD, which is approved for use on all non-SOLAS commercial vessels.

Marking of Life Preservers and PFDs — IMPLEMENTATION. Vessel operators and Coast Guard marine inspectors are to pay particular

attention to life preservers and PFDs manufactured prior t~ October 1973 to ensure carriage requirements are met. End: (1) Former 33 CFR, Table 175.23 personal flotation device equivalents

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. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.